Dreadnaughts Soar Past Hawks, 77-48.

Your eyes have not deceived you. Nor is the score a misprint.

In the annals of the Lakeland Dreadnaughts, I am confident there has never been such an epic offensive outpouring – the highest scoring game in history – 125 total points. I wish former Dreadnaught Historian,
Bobby Whitehead, had been there to witness this historic night and to verify my claim.

Sample statistics, that appear to have been amassed on a PlayStation 5 rather than at Bryant Stadium, include:

• The Dreadnaughts rushed for 642 yards and finished with 766 yards of total offense.
• D’Marius Rucker (RB) who returned to full speed after missing six games, ran wild against the Hawks. He gave an All-American performance totaling an astonishing 351 rushing yards which is second all-time to Steward Bulter’s 367 yards. Rucker rushed for two scores. He also caught three passes for 58 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown reception.
• Several other Dreadnaughts crossed the goal line during the contest. Markel Johnson (RB) scored three touchdowns on runs of 35 yards, 2 yards and 1 yard. Carlos Mitchell (DB), who plays on offense and
defense, scored on runs of 84 yards and 13 yards. Malik Morris (LB), who also plays both ways, had scoring runs of 6 yards and 2 yards. Jordan Henderson (RB), back from an injury, exploded for a 53-yard
touchdown run. Zander Smith (QB) also added a rushing touchdown of 16 yards.
• Lake Minneola’s Jackson Hughes (QB) was in beast mode as he completed 25 of 43 passes for 453 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
• Dane Thompkins (RB) led the Hawks on the ground by scoring three touchdowns, including runs of 23 yards, 3 yards and 1 yard.
• The Hawks finished with 607 yards of total offense.

The game was not an easy sail into a port of victory for the Dreadnaughts. Though Lakeland took the initial lead of 7-0, the Dreadnaughts had to rally when Jackson Hughes completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Knauth (WR) that gave the Hawks a 14-7 lead. The Dreadnaughts finished the first half by adding three touchdowns, while the Hawks added a score, to give Lakeland a 28-21 halftime lead.

Though the Dreadnaughts extended their lead to 35-21 early in the third quarter on Zander Smith’s scoring run, the Hawks cut the lead to a one-touchdown deficit twice the second half. It was not until Lakeland blocked a punt at the Lake Minneola 14-yard line, and Carlos Mitchell scored on ensuing drive, that the game was out of reach for the Hawks.

Lakeland now must travel to face the Gainesville Buchholz Bobcats in the 4S State Semifinals on December 1st. Game time is 7:30 PM.

Time for the Dreadnaught Nation to take a road trip in support of Lakeland’s quest for a ninth state championship.