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Bryce Veasley throws for four TDs, West Bloomfield defeats Clarkston, 37-15
West Bloomfield – Those first two losses West Bloomfield suffered in the first two weeks seems so long ago.
The Lakers, ranked No. 5 in the preseason but unranked after that poor start, moved to 2-2 with an impressive 37-8 victory over No. 8-ranked Clarkston (3-1, 2-1) on Friday in an Oakland Activities Association Red Division game.
In what has been a topsy-turvy season, in Oakland County and elsewhere, Rochester Adams (4-0, 3-0) sits alone in first place the OAA Red.
West Bloomfield (2-2, 2-1) will host Adams, ranked No. 20, next Friday at 7 p.m.
Bryce Veasley, who threw for 505 yards and five touchdowns last week, was 25-of-37 for 324 yards and four touchdowns. Tre Mosley had four receptions for 58 yards and three touchdowns, and A.J. Abbott had eight receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown. Last week Abbott had seven catches for 265 yards and four touchdowns.
“It was a matter of finishing,” Veasley said. “We bonded well after (those losses), especially the (offensive line). I wouldn’t say we’re disappointed with our start. We learned. It’s week by week.
“After we found out what the (Clarkston) defense was giving us, we were fine. When they take away one of our guys, we got another. Look at A.J. last week. This week other guys stepped up, like Tre.”
West Bloomfield still isn’t the team most expected coming into the season. There are weaknesses and, in a sense, the Lakers aren’t that different from other teams at this stage whether they’re 4-0, 3-1 or 2-2. Every team needs to improve and for West Bloomfield there’s a lack of discipline in the form of penalties (10 for 88 yards on Friday).
And there’s a lack of a consistent ground game. Colin Heard led West Bloomfield in rushing with 11 carries for 91 yards. He had runs of 30 and 22 yards, the last went for a touchdown that gave West Bloomfield a 37-8 lead with 5:27 left.
Still, Heard is more a slot back that gets many of his carries on jet sweeps. Occasionally, he will run between the tackles but at 5-10 and 180 pounds, his listed height and weight that probably is closer to 5-9 and 175, he’s not the back a potent offense needs when it’s third-and-1 in a second round playoff game in November when the weather often turns nasty.
First thing first. Coach Ron Bellamy has a good team. Just how good is yet to be seen. Much of West Bloomfield’s success lays on the shoulders of Veasley, a senior and co-captain who has the experience as a three-year starter to take on that responsibility.
“I make the reads,” he said. “When we get a one-on-one matchup, it’s not that hard. It’s up to me. I can’t throw into double teams.”
Defensively, West Bloomfield was sound. The Lakers had four interceptions, two sacks and made some key stops on third down when the game was close.
In the first half Veasley had two touchdown passes, one to Taj Mustapha from 12 yards out and the other to Tre Mosley from also 12 yards out that gave the Lakers a 14-0 lead at halftime.
Clarkston moved the ball well at times but three interceptions stopped any momentum the Wolves had generated.
The Wolvers had 114 yards in the first half, 87 on the ground.
Nick Seidel had interceptions on consecutive possessions, the second one led to his team’s first score. Nike Mosley (no relation) intercepted off of a deflection to give the Lakers possession on their 46-yard line with 1:18 left in the half. Six Veasley passes later, four that were completed, ended with Tre Mosley’s touchdown catch with 21 seconds left.
Veasley was 14-of-23 passing for 156 yards. West Bloomfield did not commit a turnover. The Lakers did lose two fumbles in the second half.
