RATHDRUM, Idaho – With a swarming defense, a ball-control offense and timely passing, the Lakeland Hawks won in methodical fashion Friday, upending the West Valley Eagles 31-7 at Corbit Field.

Senior quarterback Tyrel Derrick tossed two first-half touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Hawks (2-0, 0-0 Inland Empire League), who gave up just 45 yards on the ground to the Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Great Northern League).

The first half belonged to the Hawks. After a Cade Coffey 45-yard field goal opened the scoring on the game’s first drive, Lakeland went up 10-0 after senior Chris Washburn recovered a muffed punt and Derrick found fellow senior Clayton Marshall for a 28-yard TD.

From there, Lakeland didn’t wait long to add to its cushion. The Eagles turned over the ball on downs, and one play after a well-designed fourth-down double screen, Derrick – who was 7-for-11 for 119 yards in the first half – hit senior Brian Howell over the top for a 19-yard score. The Hawks led 17-0 at halftime.

After forcing a three-and-out to open the third quarter, Lakeland kept the ball rolling with a time-consuming, 14-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 1-yard Derrick plunge.

Down 24-0, the Eagles finally put something together with an impressive 12-play drive that culminated with a Zack Bee 5-yard rumble. But it was nothing but a speed bump for the Hawks, who put the game away with a seven-play, 72-yard run-only drive that ended with Washburn’s 18-yard scamper.

Washburn finished the game with 61 rushing yards, all in the second half.

The Hawks had zero turnovers and forced three, and they outgained West Valley 325-145. But according to Lakeland coach Tim Kiefer, the game was not easy.

“We had a little bit of a rough week in practice and we got some things smoothed out,” said Kiefer. “The kids stepped up and answered..”

Lakeland plays at East Valley next Friday. West Valley plays host to Colville.