LAKEWOOD — Dan Teeter sat his team down before the season began to let them know that Archbishop Murphy was this year’s homecoming game.

“I wanted this one in front of the biggest crowd so we could get as many people to see what Cougar football looked like,” he said.

The packed grandstand spilled out onto the field after Teeter’s boys took down the Wildcats 26-22 Sept. 30.

By defeating ATM, Lakewood is now the only Cascade Conference team that can claim a victory over the longtime conference power.

“This win is really a benchmark for Lakewood football,” said senior linebacker Christian Melton. “Hopefully we can start a dynasty with this like what (the Wildcats) have.”

Melton was part of a defensive effort that produced three Archbishop Murphy turnovers — all in the second half and two deep inside their own territory.

“I knew we were close in talent so whoever won the turnover battle would take the game,” said Teeter. “But I didn’t think it’d take three — and we needed all of them.”

The third Cougar takeaway came by way of senior Jacob Micheletti’s interception just two plays after ATM kept Lakewood out of the endzone with a goal-line stand midway through the fourth quarter with the score 22-19 in favor of the Wildcats.

“That was amazing,” said senior quarterback Justin Peterson of Micheletti’s pick at the 7-yard line. “After not getting to score, we were feeling kind of down, but after that we were ready.”

Two plays later, Peterson connected with tight end Dustin Stanton for the eventual game-winning touchdown on a five-yard strike over the middle.

Murphy had one more shot, getting the ball with four minutes left, but Lakewood stopped the Wildcats 16 yards short of the endzone, stuffing ATM running backs on third-and-two and fourth-and-one situations.

Peterson finished the game with 11 yards rushing and two scores on the ground to combine with his 45 yards passing, completing five of eight attempts and another score.

Melton also added a score, earning 39 yards on 10 carries, but shined on the defensive end with six tackles.

“Christian was nails, stuffing that middle every play,” said Teeter. “He really helped calm down that defense and that was huge for us tonight.”

After allowing 152 yards and two TDs in the first half, Lakewood settled in the second half allowing 149 yards, but just one TD while grabbing a pair of picks and a fumble recovery. The Cougars gained a total of 178 yards but relied on Murphy’s mistakes, such as a pair of botched snaps and turnovers, to earn excellent field position. Three of Lakewood’s four touchdown drives started inside ATM’s 20-yard line.

The Cougars improve to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference, but more importantly have put themselves in the driver’s seat for a conference title for the first time in Teeter’s six years as coach.

“No doubt about it,” said Teeter when asked if this was the most important win in his tenure at Lakewood, which started with a 76-6 loss to Murphy. “Nothing compares to it.”

Lakewood’s 2011 Homecoming court includes Homecoming King and Queen Sawyer Almasi and Arianna Barrio; senior Prince and Princess Jacob Micheletti and Miranda Head; junior Prince and Princess Justin Peterson and Lexi Parenteau; sophomore Prince and Princess Jacob Lizarraga and Kendall O’Kinsella; freshman Prince and Princess Alec Burbee and Darby Throndsen; and Grand Marshals Steve and Robin Barker.