Amid a sea of reporters and flashing cameras, Lakota West head coach Tom Bolden's postgame message to his team was short and sweet.
"We ain't done yet!" Bolden yelled before his team celebrated with the red and white faithful after Lakota West took down Elder, 30-10, Friday night in the Division I regional semifinals on Pat Mancuso Field at Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium.
Lakota West (13-0) followed a similar formula to keep its perfect season alive and reach the regional finals for the third consecutive season. The Firebirds' defense allowed just 197 total yards, 9 first downs, held Elder to 2-of-10 on third down and recorded a pair of sacks.
Elder started five drives from its own 43-yard line or better, but those possessions netted four punts (including a trio of three-and-outs) and a forced fumble and recovery by senior safety Ben Minich.
"We've got a lot of dudes over there (on defense) and they're playing really well," Bolden said. "They've been playing lights out all year. If we do our job, we're tough to move the ball on."
It was a struggle for the majority of the night for Elder's offense to move the ball. On the ground, running back Luke Flowers had 16 carries for 58 yards. Quarterback Ben Schoster ran for 95 on 14 attempts, including a 50-yard first-quarter burst that set up a Panthers' field goal. Through the air, Schoster was 8-of-19 for 53 yards and was forced to scramble on numerous occasions with Lakota West's secondary blanketing the Elder receivers.
"It's a great feeling knowing everyone is doing their job," said Minich, a Notre Dame commit. "We just go in every drive (thinking) three-and-out and to get the ball back to our offense and let them do their thing."
Minich turned in six tackles, recorded Lakota West's lone takeaway of the night and had an interception nullified by penalty in the second half. Lakota West committed 40 yards worth of penalties on Elder's 72-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, a possession capped by Schoster's three-yard touchdown toss to Carson Browne, which made it 20-10.
"We're gonna be aggressive. We just gotta be a little smarter at times," Bolden said.
After a Lakota West punt, Elder drove to the Firebirds' 28-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but Jacob Asbeck's third-down sack forced a Panther punt.
"We talked on the sideline. It was our fault that they scored," Minich said. " We came out and locked back in."
Lakota West's offense responded with a six-play drive that chewed up precious clock and resulted in a Tyler Bohn 42-yard field goal that made it 23-10. Bohn, a senior, is now 15-of-16 on the year after a 3-for-3 performance Friday night. Despite mild winds, the lefty knocked in two field goals of 40-plus yards.
"You gotta take it kick-by-kick, whether it's into the wind, with the wind or left hash, right hash," Bohn said. "I just love doing everything I could to help my team win."
With Lakota West's defense holding off a late Elder rally, the Firebirds' offense found its footing in the second half. After a pair of first-half turnovers, Lakota West scored on three of its final four drives as dual-threat quarterback Mitch Bolden turned in key plays with his legs and through the air.
Facing a third-and-18 early in the third quarter from the Elder 23-yard line, Bolden avoided pressure, rolled to his left and flipped a perfect touchdown pass to wide receiver Scotty Johnson in the back of the end zone to give the Firebirds a 20-3 lead.
"That was a dime; a dot as the kids would say," coach Bolden laughed. "It's the scramble drill, it's what we've worked on, and we executed it to perfection."
The score was set up by a 52-yard run from Jiovionni Wilson, a junior running back who had 96 scrimmage yards on just seven touches. Trent Lloyd had 106 yards of his own with a game-high 50 receiving to go with a rushing touchdown. Bolden finished 12-of-20 for 152 yards and ran for a game-high 97, including 50 on the final two drives. With 1:56 remaining in regulation, Bolden plunged in from a yard out for his 13th rushing touchdown of the season that sealed a spot in next week's regional championship.
Lakota West advances to play Moeller − 24-16 winners over Mason in the other Division I regional semifinal Friday night − next week with a spot in the state Final Four on the line. Lakota West has a chance at revenge after Moeller knocked out the Firebirds in last year's regional final, 21-17.
"We had a great week of practice," Bolden said. "We have a bad taste about last year and now we gotta chance to get back to that spot. That's all you can ask for and we'll get at it and give it our best shot again next week."
Lakota West 30, Elder 10
Lakota West - 3 10 7 10 - 30
Elder - 0 3 7 0 - 10
LW - FG Bohn 22
E - FG Lemasters 22
LW - FG Bohn 45
LW - Lloyd 4 run (Bohn kick)
LW - Johnson 23 pass from Bolden (Bohn kick)
E - Browne 3 pass from Schoster (Lemasters kick)
LW - FG Bohn 42
LW - Bolden 1 run (Bohn kick)
Records: LW 13-0, E 10-3
