Former Lakers’ running back turned quarterback Dakota Fiene has led the Lakers offensive attack both on the ground and through the air. This story was written when Lakeview had a 4-2 record. I actually expected them to lose their final two games, but the Lakers proceeded to prove me wrong and win at Class AAA Pequot Lakes 21-12 last Wednesday night. Predictions are worthless, especially in the playoffs, when the phrase "any given night" takes new meaning. The Lakers are 5-3 going into the Section 5A quarterfinal game against our Jaguars, held Tuesday night at 7:00 at the B-B-E High School athletic complex stadium.
"Running Wild" By David Griswold
POSTED: October 10, 2008
COTTONWOOD - The Lakeview football team is wearing a 4-2 record thus far on the season, and a big reason for the Lakers success has been with the offense.
Lakeview has put up 145 points this season an average of 24.2 points per game and over 60 percent of those points have come from senior quarterback Dakota Fiene.
Fiene has touched the end zone 15 times on the season 13 rushing and two passing and has combined for 1203 yards.
"Dakota's a playmaker," said Lakeview head coach Grant Will. "He has the ability to score anytime he gets the ball in his hands."
This is Fiene's first year under center as the Lakers quarterback after spending his time in the backfield in the year's prior.
"He's continuing to make better decision throughout the year," Will said. "We're doing a little bit better job of spreading the ball around."
Fiene says his passion is with the running back position, but he was excited to take on the challenge of running the offense as the quarterback this year.
"I was looking forward to the challenge," Fiene said. "It's always been a dream of mine (to be a running back) but I can pretty much get the same out of being a quarterback and even more."
Fiene engineers a run-heavy offense that focuses around the option play, which allows Fiene to attack defenses either on the ground or through the air.
"He went to quarterback camp over the summer, so he came in with good throwing mechanics," Will said. "He does a nice job of throwing the ball on the run when we ask him to. He's making real good decisions with the football, if it's a passing play and nothing is there, he can take it down and run with it."
Fiene has rushed for 960 yards on the season, but has also spread the ball around through the air for 143 yards.
"He's an accurate passer we just haven't thrown the ball a lot," Will said. "Dakota can throw the ball. He's got a strong arm."
One of the major adjustments Fiene has had to make from running back to quarterback is establishing chemistry with the receivers surrounding him.
"Sometimes when you have to throw the ball, you have to trust (the receivers) a lot more than with running the ball," Fiene said. "(The chemistry) is getting there, it's always a work in progress but it's getting better."
The option-built offense came into effect for the Lakers this year because of the athleticism Fiene obtains.
"Running the option if you do it right is a wonderful offense," Will said. "It forces the defense to play assignment football and it's a lot of fun to watch. The kids really enjoy running that kind of offense."
With any offense, a solid blocking game is a key ingredient to success. The line up front allows Fiene to get outside of the pocket and execute.
"I feed off of them and they feed off them," Fiene said. "I always like watching them work because they don't get much credit. I always like to give them the credit they deserve."
Alongside Fiene in the option is his brother Maverick from the running back position. If Dakota Fiene sees the opportunity, he can flip the ball back to Maverick Fiene as his option to give the Lakers the best chance for positive yardage.
"It's been fun," Dakota Maverick said about playing with his brother. "I know he (Maverick) is enjoying it just as much as I am."
But the clich remains that defense wins championships, and not only does Dakota Fiene possess the ability to score points, but he can also prevent them.
"He's been just as big for us defensively as he's been offensively," Will said. "Defensively he plays safety for us and he is excellent breaking on the ball. He comes up and takes tremendous angles on kids and makes the open tackle. He attacks strong."
Since stepping into the quarterback position, Dakota Fiene has developed a quarterback's knowledge of the game, giving him an edge because he knows a quarterback's tendencies in certain situations.
"It definitely gives you a little bit of an advantage that sometimes you don't get," Dakota Fiene said.
His abilities have been noticed from the collegiate level as Dakota Fiene has been scouted by numerous colleges throughout the area, including Augustana (S.D.), Winona State and Division I South Dakota State University.
"It's always been something I've wanted to do," said Dakota Fiene on playing amongst the college ranks. "It has come up a lot faster than I was expecting it, but I'm just going with the flow and making best of my opportunities."
Before he takes his football career to the collegiate level, Dakota Fiene and the Lakers still have to carry-out the remainder of this season. Lakeview will play host to Dakota Valley (S.D.) today at 7 p.m. and conclude the regular season on the road against Pequot Lakes on Oct. 15.
"I want to get through the next two weeks with two wins, get to the section championship and hopefully go to state," Dakota Fiene said. "We all have the same goal and we're all striving for that. It would be nice to go to state in my final season."