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Lakewood Playing For Those Who Can't By James Smith

September 5, 2017

In June they did not know if there would be a football team to play for.

Now, with just days to go before opening night, those preparing to compete for Lakewood feel like they’re playing for more than just their own teammates, but for a community of Piners who weren’t lucky enough to see their athletic and/or after-school program saved in the school district’s massive budget cuts.

“We definitely feel that responsibility,” said Piners wide receiver Jyheir Jones. “We have friends that have nothing to look forward to right now. We’re playing for them. They’re our reason and our motivation to succeed.”

According to Piners senior quarterback Zyheir Jones, the severity of the situation is not lost on this Lakewood club, and he and his teammates’ ability to represent their school and community is something they’ve taken to heart.

“This isn’t something we’re taking for granted,” said Jones. “We know we’re some of the few who still have the opportunity to play for our school. And we’re grateful to have it, because if we didn’t, who knows what we’d be doing. It just feels good to have our program back… some of our friends weren’t as lucky.”

The Jones brothers were a huge part of Lakewood’s offensive success in 2016, as Zyheir threw for 13 touchdowns and used his legs to get into the end zone nine more times, while Jyheir hauled in seven scoring receptions.

That combination, plus the return of running back Kyrie Jenkins (who averaged an incredible 8.53 yards per-carry on limited touches in 2016), has the Piners confident they can make a bid for the Class B South Divisional Championship.

But not without a lot of hard work.

“We think we have the talent on both sides of the ball to get it,” Jenkins said of the division title. “But there’s a lot of hard work that needs to be done before we get to that point. We have a long way to go. We have to really come together as a team. If we’re willing to work, if we can come together, I think we can achieve whatever goals we set.”

Another target the Piners are setting their sights on is a deep run in the state playoffs, after three consecutive first round exits from the sectional tournament.

Lakewood senior linebacker Josh Lezin says it’s those defeats that have lingered with he and his teammates, and that from those setbacks has come immense motivation.

“Those losses have really stuck with us, and they’ve all led to this year,” said Lezin, who recorded 82 total tackles, forced four fumbles and had 13 sacks as a junior. “For us seniors this is it. This is our last shot. We feel that urgency to win now. And we’re motivated to achieve the goals we’ve set.”