Lakeview Overpowered by De La Salle in Football Playoff

Lakeview was overpowered by Warren De La Salle 24-0 Friday, ending the team's  first trip to the high school football playoffs.

"I am happy we made it to this point," said Zeke Vicchio, the Huskies senior quarterback. "We put Lakeview on the map and hopefully we will stay there. With these coaches, I know they will."

While this was Lakeview's first postseason, De La Salle has been to the state finals in two of the past three years. The team's postseason experience surfaced during the second half of the game.

 Lakeview held De La Salle to 10 points in the snowy, blustery first half.

In the second half, the Pilots' offense took control, scoring one touchdown while limiting the Huskies to only one possession during the third quarter.

Lakeview continued to challenge De La Salle into the fourth. After giving up a third touchdown with 5:27 left in the game, Lakeview had the ball for a short time before having to punt.

On the ensuing possession, De La Salle was pushed to punt, but a bad snap gave Lakeview the ball deep in Warren's side.

Lakeview unsuccessfully tried to get in the end zone and turned over the ball with just over a minute to go in the game.

"A lot of kids would have come in here and said, "We are playing De La Salle,' " said Lakeview coach Pat Threet. "Not these kids. ... I am proud of what we accomplished this year."

Lakeview won its first round game Oct. 29 against Port Huron Northern. The victory was a shift from recent seasons for the Huskies. Two years ago, they were 2-7, and last year missed the playoffs by one game.

Lakeview's effort did not go unnoticed by De La Salle's coach, Paul Verska.

"Lakeview is a well coached football team that doesn't back down," Verska said. "Their coaches have turned that program around."

De La Salle will face the winner of Saturday's Farmington Hills Harrison vs. Berkley game.