Lancers Defense Shuts Down Thunder in 28-0 State Playoff Victory

A hard-nosed defense combined with a stellar performance by Lakes senior running back Levonte Littlejohn overpowered Mountain View of Vancouver in a 28-0 shutout victory during a Class 3A state playoff game Friday night at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

Undefeated Lakes (11-0 overall) — the No. 2-ranked team in the state — allowed 141 yards against the Thunder's wing T offense. Mountain View (8-3 overall) entered Lakes' side of the field just twice.

Lakes head coach Dave Miller said their defense was fantastic, adding that they inserted 6-foot-9-inch, 335-pound senior lineman Zach Banner into a four-man defensive front.

"We made a few adjustments from last week," Miller said. "The linebackers made great reads. I'm really proud of our defense."

Lakes' spread offense relied on its running game due to cold and windy weather conditions that affected the passing game. Littlejohn scored on the first play of the game, a 65-yard touchdown. He reached the end zone for the second time on a seven-play drive capped by a 17-yard score with 1 minute, 26 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Then Littlejohn scored his third TD on a 17-yard touchdown, giving the Lancers a 21-0 lead with 1:54 remaining in the first half. He finished with a game-high 147 yards on 20 carries.

Lakes senior quarterback David Wood completed just four passes but did not throw an interception. Cedric Dozier, his speedy QB counterpart, rushed for 71 yards and provided a good change-of-pace.

Despite trailing early in the contest, Mountain View attempted to grind it out on the ground. The Thunder's offense was designed to retain a lead, not rally from a double-digit deficit.

Miller said with a three-touchdown lead in the second half, they wanted to control the clock. After a scoreless third quarter, the Lancers defense sacked O'Dell and recovered a fumble, the game's only forced turnover.

Five plays later, Lakes senior Charles Hall Jr. punched it in with a 2-yard plunge, 28-0.

The Lancers have an opportunity to avenge their 35-7 loss to Bellevue last year in the semi-final round of the playoffs. The Wolverines are the top ranked team in 3A, pitting the state's top teams in what should be an electric quarterfinal showdown.

The Lancers host the Wolverines at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18.