Lakers' offense churns; 'D' lacking in 56-41 victory

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes is now 3-0 on the season after a 56-41 victory at Riverview Gabriel Richard on Friday, Sept. 7 to open play in the newly-merged Detroit Catholic League Intersectional Division.

“It was a good win, but our defense didn’t play well,” said Our Lady Head Coach Mike Boyd. “It’s not good when you score 56 points and you’re still hanging on for dear life.”

After finishing a disappointing 4-5 last year, Our Lady (1-0 in the Intersectional) could be on its way toward not only eclipsing last year’s win total but also possibly returning to the state playoffs.

However, the Lakers played last Friday without their standout running back/linebacker, senior Garrett Ross, who has been battling issues with his back and is currently day-to-day, according to Boyd.

On offense, Richie Cross, Jake Doetsch and Mitch Laceski picked up the slack by combining for 426 yards rushing and eight touchdowns.

However, Ross’ presence was certainly missed on defense as Boyd said that his young players weren’t focused and were not communicating.

Gabriel Richard remains winless at 0-3 and 0-1 in the Intersectional Division.

Prior to their win last Friday, the Lakers defeated Britton-Macon Deerfield in their non-league home opener, 10-6, on Saturday, Sept. 1.

The Catholic League merged its two C-D designated divisions into the 7-team Intersectional Division beginning this season, meaning the Lakers will not only face traditional foes including Allen Park Cabrini and Royal Oak Shrine, but also its new division opponents including Riverview Gabriel Richard, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, Madison Heights Bishop Foley and the defending C-D league champion, Detroit Loyola.

The Lakers will be tested when they next host undefeated Shrine on Saturday, Sept. 15 for the renewal of a long-standing rivalry. Our Lady fell to the Knights last season, 25-7.

Shrine is currently 3-0 and 1-0 in the Intersectional Division after its 46-0 thrashing of Hamtramck in a non-league game on Saturday, Sept. 8.

“We have to get our defense together. We’ve battled back and forth with Shrine in the past and this weekend will be no different,” Boyd said.