Lakeland Bedevils Winter Haven, 39-6

Though inclement weather canceled last week’s game against the Largo Packers, Lakeland was in dominant form as the Dreadnaughts sailed by the Blue Devils.

The Dreadnaughts scored 21 points in the first quarter, 18 points in the second quarter, and cruised to a 39-6 win over the Blue Devils.
Scoring began on the first play of the contest as Tyler Williams (WR) received the opening kick and returned it for an electric 86-yard touchdown for the Dreadnaughts. Williams continued his superiority on special teams by returning a punt 73 yards for the score with 6:27 left prior to halftime.

In addition to Williams’ two touchdowns on special teams, the unit added another score when the Blue Devils bungled a snap in their end zone and Lakeland capitalized by recovering the football for a touchdown.

D’Marius Rucker (RB) had four rushes for 93 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown that increased Lakeland’s lead to 14-0 with 9:53 remaining in the first quarter. Markell Johnson (RB) also scored on the ground by rushing for a 1-yard score during the same quarter. After the extra point, Lakeland had a commanding 21-0 lead over the Blue Devils.

The Dreadnaught defense also contributed to the score-fest when Shadarian Harrison (CB) intercepted a pass and returned it for a 26-yard touchdown with 5:33 remaining before halftime.

The passing game contributed to the Dreadnaughts’ victory as Zach Pleuss (QB) went 5 of 9 for 148 yards. Daidren Zipperer (WR) caught three passes for 73 yards. Tyler Williams caught one pass for 45 yards.

Winter Haven avoided the shutout by engineering a three-play drive covering 34 yards in the final quarter, including a 15-yard touchdown scamper by Joseph Tarver (QB).

Lakeland will battle Kissimmee Osceola at 7:30 PM on Friday, September 16th in a contest of two teams expected to reach the playoffs. Both teams sport multiple Division I recruits.