Lakeland High School Football Dreadnaughts 5A State Champions

In the Record Books
by Jordan Thurn 

Lakeland took on the now 3-2 Bartow Yellow Jackets, winning in an over time thriller, 17-10. “The defense did an awesome job,” O-line coach John Flath said, “its hard to win, guys start to expect [it]. They have to fight for it, nobody is going to come into Bryant Stadium and just lay down and let you beat them.”

Scoring started in the second quarter when with 10:58 left; Caleb Hough kicked a field goal to put the Naughts in the lead. Bartow responded on offense, getting into field goal position to score with 5:36 remaining in the quarter after a two penalties in their favor, making the score an even 3-3.

During the fourth quarter, after being forced to punt, a bad snap forced Bartow’s punter to kneel and consequently down the ball, giving the Naughts possession on Bartow’s four-yard line. Quarterback, Isaiah Walker got the job done, scoring on third and inches with 8:51 remaining in the quarter, putting the Naughts momentarily ahead, 10-3. The Yellow Jackets returned the following kick off tying the Naughts a second time, 10-10 with 8:39 left in the game.

Play went into overtime, where the Naughts sealed the deal after Walker passed the ball to Jacquan Foster on a second and 16 attempt, bringing up the final tally, 17-10. On the Yellow Jackets final possession, on a third and eight attempt, Jalen Stevenson sacked the quarterback for a loss of seven yards, essentially solidifying the Naughts victory. The last time the Naughts went into overtime play was in California in a national game.

Stevenson had four quarter back sacks on the night, writing his name in Dreadnaught history books for breaking the overall career record held by Chauncey Clark, who set it in 1999 with 37.5 sacks. “It’s a good feeling, to be in the history of Lakeland, it is a wonderful accomplishment,” Stevenson said, “It feels great in a big game like this in overtime.” Making four sacks in a single game is a personal record for Stevenson, a senior.

Along with Stevenson, Sherby Samplice and Devin Denson recorded sacks against the Yellow Jackets. 

“We have to work on being disciplined,” Samplice said, “we have to look forward to next weeks game.” Lakeland travels to play Lake Region next week. The Naughts are currently undefeated with a record of 5-0 in regular season play.