WEST CHESTER TWP. — Coming off a 7-5 season, Lakota West High School football coach Tom Bolden said his team was ready to wipe away the sour taste of 2025.
A tough off season was wiped clean courtesy of a hard fought 20-7 win over rival St. Xavier, one which left the veteran coach all smiles.
“Really good start to the season,” Bolden said. “Funny, everyone says stuff about last year and it wasn’t the standard we have set but it was still seven wins. But that isn’t our standard and this group is working hard to set that standard.”
The Firebirds didn’t waste much time thrilling a sell out crowd in West Chester, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
Star running back Kenyon Norman scored both touchdowns, adding his team is ready to roll this year.
“It is always nice to beat X,” Norman said. “Big ‘dub. There was some doubt about us coming in but our fans came out for us and we got a win.”
St. Xavier gave the Firebirds good field position after a mishandled punt and the hosts didn’t waste time.
Taking over at the 40, West moved down the field in 5 plays, with Norman covering the last yard.
The short scoring plunge was set up when quarterback Jackson Smith hit Karmelo Jordan for 21 yards.
An interception by Roman Combs provided another short field with the Firebirds covering 24 yards in four plays, capped off by another Norman plunge.
The Bombers didn’t record their initial first down until the second quarter and struggled all night.
Norman said his offensive mates enjoy watching the defense dominate.
“Defense was lights out,” Norman said.
Bolden couldn’t say enough about his defensive unit, which recorded three interceptions and held St. Xavier under 30 yards until late in the first half.
The Bombers got rolling late in the half, moving 67 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 16 yard pass from Aiden Newdigate to Logan Von Holle.
That was about it for the Bombers offensively however, who turned it over twice in the second half while also turning the ball over on downs twice.
Bolden couldn’t say enough about his defensive unit, which recorded three interceptions and held St. Xavier under 30 yards until late in the first half.
“How about that?” Bolden said. “That is how I have done it every place I have been. If they can’t score, hopefully you can find a way to score points. If they can’t score we win a lot of football games.”
Interceptions by Combs and defensive end Reilly Newman led to a pair of field goals for West in the second half.
Freshman kicker Levi King notched a 30 yarder in the third quarter before capping the scoring on a 37 yarder in the fourth.
With the win, West avenged last seasons 14-7 opening loss to the Bombers while also setting the stage for another massive game next Friday against arch rival Lakota East.
“Iron sharpens Iron,” Bolden said. “We get East back here so we are looking forward to it.”
