Dreadnaughts Submerge Stingrays, 41-9.

On paper, the Lakeland versus Sumner game appeared to line up as a battle between two of the state’s top one-loss teams. And it was until the Dreadnaughts blew open a 7-3 lead in the second quarter resulting in a 32-point victory.

Lakeland used its trademark rushing attack to control the game. The Dreadnaughts amassed 223 yards rushing on 26 carries. Ahnarri Cooper (RB) paced the running game with seven (7) carries for 108 yards and two (2) touchdowns, including a 33-yard jaunt and 5-yard plunge to paydirt. Kelin Hendrix (QB) also toted the football four (4) times for 45 yards and two (2) scores, including runs of 44 yards and ﬁve (5) yards. Steward Butler concluded the scoring on the ground with a 17-yard gallop to the end zone: his totals included three (3) carries for 29 yards.

Though the Dreadnaught passing game was relatively quiet, the ﬁrst score of the game was a foghorn blast of a 57-yard pass from Hendrix to Jadarius Dobie (RB). He sped from the backﬁeld, caught the pass, then outran the Stingray defense to the end zone.

Lakeland completed 3-of-6 passes for 72 yards and one (1) touchdown. All passing was done by Hendrix.

A play by special teams led to the Dreadnaughts taking command of the game. In the second quarter, a Dreadnaught player blocked a Sumner player into the punt, then Lakeland recovered the muffed football. That play helped the Dreadnaughts build a 21-3 halftime lead.

The Dreadnaughts continued the scoring in the second half. Lakeland outscored Sumner 20-0 in the third quarter. The Stingrays had an inconsequential score in the ﬁnal quarter to conclude all scoring.

Lakeland welcomes Sebring to Bryant Stadium on October 10th at 7:30 PM. If the Dreadnaughts win this contest, then they will be the Class 5A, District 6 champions. Sebring has a 2-4 record, having lost to Sarasota Booker 27-20 last Friday.