Rhodes Edges Lakewood in Playoff Football Thriller
A late touchdown and two-point conversion secure a dramatic win in the Division II, Region 6 playoff opener.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
Rhodes defeated Lakewood 24-22 in a Division II, Region 6 first-round playoff contest held at First Federal Lakewood Stadium. The victory marks the first playoff win in Rhodes school history.
Why it matters
The narrow victory allows Rhodes to continue their season while ending Lakewood's campaign at 8-3. The result serves as a reversal of the teams' Week 2 meeting, where Lakewood previously won by a single point.
Ty'Ron Corpening recorded 109 rushing yards, while Otto Wilhelmy completed 15 of 29 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Lakewood's late momentum was halted after Rafael Santos missed a 45-yard field goal attempt.
The players
Ty'Ron Corpening
He is a standout running back for Rhodes who led the offensive effort with 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Otto Wilhelmy
He is the starting quarterback for Rhodes who threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Isaiah Dawson-Corpley
He is a key player for Rhodes who successfully converted the deciding 2-point attempt in the final seconds.
Rafael Santos
He is a kicker for Lakewood who missed a 45-yard field goal attempt late in the game.
The details
Rhodes clinched the game with an 87-yard, 13-play drive that concluded with a 3-yard touchdown run by Ty'Ron Corpening with only 22 seconds left. Isaiah Dawson-Corpley subsequently converted a 2-point attempt to seal the two-point lead.
Timeline
The game took place on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Rhodes will play Avon in the second playoff round next Friday.
Season Trajectory
This win marks the first playoff victory in Rhodes school history, significantly altering the program's postseason reputation. Rhodes now moves forward to face Avon, while Lakewood concludes its 8-3 season after falling short in the opening round.
Rhodes advances in the bracket to play Avon next Friday, while Lakewood's season concludes with an 8-3 record. The game was decided by a final 87-yard drive that culminated in a successful 2-point conversion.
The takeaway
Rhodes overcame a previous season loss to Lakewood to secure their first-ever playoff win. This result underscores the importance of final-drive execution in high-stakes postseason matchups.
What happens next
Rhodes is scheduled to face Avon in the second round of the Division II, Region 6 playoffs next Friday.
Further reading
For more updates on local athletics, visit the Football section.
