Dreadnaughts Skin Bobcats, 21-20.

Dreadnaught Nation may be witnessing history.

Even the most optimistic Lakeland fans, if being intellectually honest, would not have predicted a trip to the 4S State Championship Game this season. Too many reasons this should have been a rebuilding year, including a new coaching staff, key players graduated, and as tough a regular season as Lakeland has faced. Due to a remarkable job by Coach Marvin Frazier and his assistants and resilient Dreadnaught players, that is exactly what Lakeland will do this coming Saturday.

Returning to the 4S State Championship Game would not be easy. In the Dreadnaughts’ way was a road trip to Citizens Field to face the undefeated and top-ranked Class 4S team in the State of Florida – the Gainesville Buchholz Bobcats. Led by 5-star and Florida Gators’ commitment Myles Graham (LB/RB) and 4-star Kendrick Jackson (DE), the Bobcats battled the Dreadnaughts in an exhilarating, physical game that would not be decided until only seconds remained on the scoreboard.

The outcome appeared bleak during the first quarter for Lakeland. The Bobcats took an early lead when Quinton Cutler (RB) rambled for a 9-yard touchdown run less than three minutes into the contest. Gainesville Buchholz took a 14-0 when Trace Johnson (QB), son of former Florida Gator QB Doug Johnson, completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Justin Williams (WR) with 3:50 remaining in the quarter.

The play that changed momentum in the Dreadnaughts’ favor occurred on the final play of the first quarter. Lakeland faced 4th down on the Bobcats’ 42-yard line. Calum Muldoon (Punter) faked the punt and ran 14 yards for a first down to the Bobcats’ 28-yard line. On the following play, Zander Smith (QB), who completed 9 of 18 passes for 210 yards on the night, connected with Rick Pennick (WR) on a 28-yard touchdown. Lakeland still trailed 14-7.

Later in the second quarter, with Gainesville Buchholz backed up to its own 12-yard line, Trace Johnson’s pass deflected off Justin Williams’ hands and became a tip drill until Lakeland’s Ziggy Riley (LB) secured the interception and returned to the 7-yard line. Two plays later, Malik Morris (LB), who also plays on offense, scored on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 14-14 with 3:57 until halftime.

Lakeland’s game-winning drive concluded with 41 seconds left in the third quarter when Malik Morris scored on a 2-yard toss sweep play. A key play on the 80-yard drive was a 33-yard bomb from Zander Smith to Jamar Taylor, Jr. (WR). Lakeland took the lead, 21-14.

Gainesville Buchholz would not quit without a fight. On the Bobcats’ next drive, they marched 85 yards to paydirt, when Trace Johnson connected with Jordan Richardson (WR) on a two-yard pass in the corner of the end zone with 7:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats’ fate would change forever on the following play. Jay Giunta (Kicker) missed the extra point, the point differential in the final outcome of the game.

Lakeland’s defense stopped Gainesville Buchholz on 4th down with less than one minute remaining in the game to seal the win.

Lakeland will travel to Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium (Tallahassee) to play the Venice Indians in a rematch for 4S State Championship at 8:00 PM on Saturday, December 9th. Dreadnaught Nation is hopeful for the same result as last year.