Plumes of smoke drifted above the Lakeside football field 15 minutes after the Panthers had locked up their school-record ninth win of the season.
The Panthers' 43-0 victory over Josey was punctuated with a fireworks show that celebrated the Panthers' Region 3-AAAA title. Lakeside (9-1, 8-1), which finished at least one game clear of the other eight teams in the region, will open the playoffs at home next week against old region rival Statesboro. It is the first time in its 21 years of football Lakeside will enter the state playoffs as the top seed out of its region.
"It's been awhile since we've been in this position, and they deserved something special," said Lakeside coach Jody Grooms, describing the origins of the booming celebration. "I told a lot of people these kids were here when I got here, and we watched them grow. We wanted to do something special for them."
Against Josey, Lakeside surrendered only four first downs in recording its sixth shutout of the season. Sophomore Mark Weidenaar threw, caught and ran for touchdowns, highlighting a performance that included five plays of at least 20 yards.
Ben Brooks (118 yards receiving) caught a 59-yard pass from Weidenaar on the second play, which set up the first of three first-quarter rushing touchdowns.
"That got all our momentum going," Grooms said.
Weidenaar, Chris Hartfield, Ricky McMurtrey and Zack Banks ran for Lakeside touchdowns. Two quarterbacks combined to throw for 223 yards, and each of their 10 completions went for at least 11 yards.
Josey ended its season at 1-9, with a region win over Butler. Seven of those defeats came by at least 25 points. Its threat of unfolding a shocking upset in this one vanished when it gave up rushing touchdowns on its first three defensive possessions and didn't earn a first down until 7:34 remained in the second quarter.
"If they had taken us real lightly and we played one of our better games, we could have had a better chance of playing with them; we made too many mistakes early," first-year Josey coach John Noah said. "They're not blessed with maybe some of the talent other people in the region have, but they have unbelievable discipline."
Lakeside players gathered to watch the fireworks explode in the sky, and supporters purchased region champion T-shirts on their way out of the gate. Lakeside will enter the playoffs for the first time since 2000 next week.
"We believed from the first day until tonight good things would happen," Grooms said. "We got good kids in the program and undying support in the community. We knew it was going to come. Sometimes it takes longer than other times."
Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.
LAKESIDE 43, JOSEY 0
PLAY OF THE GAME: Ben Brooks shed two tackles and sprinted down the sideline for a 59-yard reception on the second play. It set up the first of Lakeside's six touchdowns.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sophomore Mark Weidenaar caught, threw for and ran for scores in the first half.
WHY LAKESIDE WON: It refused to overlook the Eagles, scoring five first-half touchdowns and giving up only two first downs the first three quarters.
WHY JOSEY LOST: It fell behind early, which coach John Noah said forced a run-oriented team to pass. It finished with 58 net yards on 41 offensive plays.
NEXT: Josey's season is complete; Lakeside plays host to a first-round state playoff game Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Great job Panthers. Excellent job Coach Grooms and your staff. This is a very special group of young men.
Region Champions!!! Let's say it loudly so everyone finally understands. Bring on Statesboro.
It is great to see these LHS players so proud of the work they do and their coaches! You men are awesome!!
I have to admit, I couldn't believe that Grooms was allowed to stay after the Effingham incident. But, this is a classic example of a man who learned from his mistakes and got a group of young men to play for him. That is the true definition of a coach. Great Job coach Grooms and good luck to Lakeside in the playoffs. The panthers are the class of Columbia County!