Lakota West 27, Middletown 14

CINCINNATI - The Lakota West Firebirds remained unbeaten as they came out on top Friday night 27-14 against Middletown at home. This marks their best start since the 2004 season.

Lakota West’s (8-0, 5-0) junior quarterback Malik Grove got the scoring started off for the Firebirds first with a 10-yard pass to teammate Justin Martin. This was the only offense produced by either team the first quarter of play.

The Firebirds continued to control the points on the board into the second quarter with two touchdowns by Mikel Horton and Kole Gentry, both with 4-yard runs for the score. Middletown (2-6, 1-4) was shut out at half.

One of the state’s top players, senior quarterback Jalin Marshall for the Middies, was finally able to show why he is Ohio State material, going 53-yards to the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good, but Middletown had six. Marshall did struggle a bit on the night, throwing three interceptions, one of which was returned 57-yards by Lakota West’s Michael Carter. Marshall finished completing just 4-of-18 passes on the night, with just 39 total yards and one touchdown.

Although Jordann Thomas scored one final touchdown with only 19 seconds left in the game, it was not near enough causing the Middies to lose their fourth straight game in a row.

Lakota West heads to Colerain next week for an intense match-up as both teams are the only ones unbeaten in the GMC conference and are fighting for the title. Middletown hopes to end their losing streak as they play host to Hamilton.