If only the game started like it ended.

Lakewood High School’s football team scored early and often against South Whidbey during Thursday night’s 40-21 loss.

The Falcons struggled to contain the Cougars’ offense and produce points until late in the third quarter. South Whidbey allowed six touchdowns before scoring one of its own.

Junior quarterback Avery Buechner fought off would-be tacklers as he burst through defenders and scored the first Falcon touchdown on a 50-yard run on the right side. Junior lineman Mason Shoudy led Buechner with blocking downfield. Cameron Coupe’s point-after-touchdown kick went straight through the uprights for 33-7. Buechner led the Falcons with 119 rushing yards and 119 passing yards, but threw two interceptions.

“It felt really good,” Buechner said.

Then senior co-captains Tyler “Chuck” Norris and Austin Bennett had their turn in the end zone. Norris scored on a pass from Buechner with seven minutes left in the game. Coupe’s PAT was good and brought the score to 40-14. Norris totaled 80 receiving yards.

“It was a big relief,” Norris said.

“Guys worked hard tonight. Good way to end senior year on the home turf. I love this field like none other. I love my team. The scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort we put out,” he added.

Bennett scored on a 12-yard run after a pitch from Buechner on the left edge. Coupe’s kick was good, and the final score of the night made it 40-21.

Bennett finished with 74 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards.

“It felt good,” Bennett said. “On Senior Night, a touchdown always feels good.”

South Whidbey came close to scoring in the second quarter. Buechner ran through a hole on the left side, into some tacklers, kept moving his feet while pushing backwards, broke free and scored an 11-yard touchdown. But the play was called back by a South Whidbey penalty.

“I think it was definitely a big punch,” Buechner said.

The Falcons tried to move downfield, but a false-start penalty and an illegal-shift penalty killed the momentum. Buechner attempted a touchdown throw to senior TJ Russell, but was intercepted at the one-yard line.

“I wasn’t exactly relaxed,” Buechner said. “I was a little nervous because I [thought], ‘Red zone, we got to get it in here.’”

Defensive ends Shoudy and Norris came off the edges and disrupted the backfield several times. Norris came close to sacking Lakewood quarterback Justin Lane, but Lane threw the ball out of bounds as he was hit. Shoudy tackled Lakewood’s Christian Melton in the backfield on a fake punt in the second quarter.

“They’re a solid line with athletic quarterbacks,” Norris said. “I love to be disruptive.”

By halftime, Lakewood led 20-0 on two touchdown passes by Lane, a senior who has verbally committed to Illinois State University, an NCAA Division I school. Lane’s first touchdown pass was for 49 yards to Austen Suddoth on Lakewood’s first offensive series with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.

Lakewood opened the second quarter with a 50-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Justin Peterson.

Lakewood head coach Dan Teeter said his crew came ready to play.

“Our kids have finally bought into the weight room,” Teeter said.

Teeter subbed in Peterson as backup quarterback for Lane in the third quarter. Lane completed 10-of-14 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

With the win, Lakewood secured the second seed, and will play its first playoff game at home.

“We’re real fortunate to have other kids that can come in a step in for [Lane],” Teeter said. “We’re going to miss Lane a whole lot next year.”

South Whidbey will play the number five seed from the Northwest Conference, which is likely to be Bellingham High School, on Tuesday, Nov. 2.