Lakeland High School Football Dreadnaughts 5A State Champions

Carrying On
by Jordan Thurn  

On the seniors last night playing on a field they’ve dedicated four years of their life to, Lakeland defeats the Gaither Cowboys 42-14 to advance to the State Semifinals, “it was a good battle,” Riquan Southward said 

Lakeland got on the board with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter when Raheeme Dumas ran the ball one yard on a quarterback keeper to score, putting the Naughts’ up 7-0.  Lakeland continued on their next possession, which was capped by Forrest Cunningham on a 4-yard touchdown carry on the last play of the first quarter, giving the Naughts’ a score of 14-0.  Gaither scored on the Naughts’ next possession when Lakelands fumble in the end zone was recovered by the Cowboys to score, putting Tampa on the board 14-7.  On the following possession, Taylor Placides got the ball on a 3rd-3 attempt, carried it 66 yards and scored with 7:40 remaining in the half, bringing the score to 21-7.   

Lakeland got started early in the third quarter when, with 10:24 on the clock, Dumas passed the ball 60-yard to De’Drick Gallishaw to complete the drive, making the score 28-7.  With 1:56 remaining in third quarter, wide receiver, Gallishaw passed the ball off of a reverse to Shaquan Perkins 16-yards for a touchdown, putting the Naughts’ ahead 35-7.  Cunningham scored with 9:00 left in the game on a 3-yard carry, to give the Naughts’ a score of 42-7.  Gaither, with 2:40 remaining in the game, had a 4-yard carry to cap a 77-yard drive, finalizing the score 42-7.   

The Naughts’ ended the night with 426 yards total offense compared to Gaither’s 96, most of which were gained against second team.  Placides lead rushing with 12 attempts for 114-yards, Southward lead receiving with 95 total yards.  Caleb Hough went 6 for 6 on extra point attempts.  The Naughts’ defense had 5 sacks for 57-yards. 

Lakeland travels to Jacksonville next week to play First Coast, who are also undefeated.  “[Traveling] won’t affect much, we just have to keep our head in the game, we want to go to state,” Randy Hampton said.