Ground game, 'D' shine in Eagles' win over Mustangs

Huron Valley Lakeland served notice to the rest of the lakes area that it’s a force to be reckoned with on Friday, Aug. 24 with a dominant showing on the road against a defending division champion.

The Eagles slammed the Northville Mustangs, 39-14, in what Lakeland Head Coach John Maltese called “a proverbial team victory.”

“Our kids played with a great deal of emotion, they executed well, and earned that victory,” he said.

Lakeland had played against Northville in its past two season openers, with the Mustangs winning handily both times by scores of 35-0 in 2010 and 69-28 last season.

But on Friday, the roles were reversed, as the Eagles led 22-0 at the end of the first quarter and 29-6 at halftime in the home stadium of the defending Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) Central Division champions.

Senior Anthony Waite had 17 carries for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns from 12 yards, 72 yards, and 5 yards out.

Dalton Christie also had 22 carries for 139 yards and 2 touchdown runs from 2 yards and 22 yards out.

John Victor kicked a 29-yard field goal and the Eagles’ defense also earned a safety.

“We held up Northville’s offense. The defensive line and the secondary performed well,” Maltese said. “Our assistant coach James Loisel deserves some credit.”

The Eagles will now look to keep their momentum rolling into their home opener tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 30 against Novi, which is coming off a 45-7 loss to Brighton in its opening game on Thursday, Aug. 23.

“We have a good positive attitude and we have to keep building on it.”