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YORKTOWN, N.Y. The Lakeland High School football team looks to rebound off its first loss of the season when it hosts Fox Lane on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Hornets homecoming game.
The Hornets started the season off strong with dominating wins against Yonkers and Riverside but lost a seesaw battle to Hendrick Hudson High School in week three.
Lakeland had the lead in the fourth quarter against Hen Hud thanks in large part to running back Jimmy Flaherty, who scored twice on the ground for the Hornets. But Sailors quarterback Joe Fraietta countered with three rushing touchdowns of his own to lift Hen Hud to a 23-19 win.
The running game has been the Hornets bread and butter this season and Lakeland should not abandon that strategy against the Foxes. Lakeland has averaged nearly 355 rushing yards per game this season compared to nearly 40 passing yards per game.
Fox Lane is coming off a 21-7 loss to a solid Tappan Zee team. The Foxes lost a close game to Walter Panas High School, 17-13, in week one and then defeated Horace Greeley, 28-3, in week two.
Tappan Zee running back Joe Letizia found success on the ground against Fox Lane as he rushed 23 times for 134 yards and a touchdown. The Foxes will face an even tougher challenge in Lakelands balanced and powerful rushing attack led by Flaherty.
The Hornets will likely use their ground game to wear out Fox Lane, and it could be a long night for the Foxes if they cannot slow down that aspect of Lakelands game.
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