Lakota West locked up a Division I, Region 4 playoff spot after blanking Colerain 48-0 on Friday, Oct. 9, at Firebird Stadium.
The Firebirds (7-1) unofficially clinched a postseason berth, according to playoff projections analyst Joe Eitel, as reported by WCPO. The clinch is unofficial until the OHSAA finalizes its computer ratings. Lakota West entered the week ranked No. 2 in the region behind undefeated Princeton (8-0). The top 12 teams in each region qualify, with the top four earning first-round byes.
Senior running back Kenyon Norman, a Northwestern commit, did most of his work before halftime. He carried 15 times for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone, including a 63-yard scoring run, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Quarterback Jackson Smith connected with Norman on a touchdown pass that pushed the lead to 34-0 at the break and triggered a running clock, the Journal-News reported.
The defense was just as dominant. Entering the week, junior linebacker Judah Blair had piled up 66 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss, while Purdue commit Roman Combs led the secondary with four interceptions, according to cleveland.com. The shutout was Lakota West's third of the season.
Entering Week 8, Norman had 1,181 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 147 carries, plus 16 receptions for 107 yards. Smith was completing 61.4% of his passes for 914 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. Leading receiver Karmelo Jordan had 27 catches for 584 yards and seven touchdowns.
Head coach Tom Bolden pointed to the team's bond during an August preseason interview with The Report. "This group, man, they are tight-knit … They take care of one another," Bolden said. "Great chemistry."
Lakota West's only loss remains a 27-24 defeat at Princeton in Week 5. The Firebirds have won three straight since, allowing just seven total points.
Oak Hills (4-4) is next on the Greater Miami Conference schedule, according to the Enquirer, before the regular-season finale.
