Lakeland Breezes Past Clearwater, 42-6

The Dreadnaughts began regular season play of their 2022 football campaign traveling to Jack White Stadium facing the Clearwater High School Tornadoes.

Clearwater took the early lead, 6-0, when Jaylen White (RB) completed a 25-yard pass to Justin Glenn (WR) for a touchdown. The score came with 10:22 remaining in the first quarter. Lakeland blocked the extra point attempt.

From that point until the conclusion of the game, Lakeland’s defense was unwavering as they did not yield another score to the Tornadoes. The Dreadnaughts then stormed the Tornadoes with 42 unanswered points turning the contest into a breeze to victory.

Lakeland began their scoring blitzkrieg on the following drive when Daidren Zipperer (WR) took a hand-off pass then hurled the football to Tyler Williams (WR) for a 40-yard touchdown that gave the Dreadnaughts a 7-6 lead with 8:33 left in the first quarter.

The Dreadnaughts scored a second touchdown in the opening quarter when Zach Pleuss (QB) connected with Omari Mixon (TE) on a 20-yard pass.

Pleuss was 8-of-15 for 95 yards with two touchdown passes on the night. His second touchdown, a 4-yard pass to Daidren Zipperer, occurred with no time on the clock leading into halftime. At that time, the Dreadnaughts had an insurmountable 35-6 lead.

RB D’Marius Rucker had a noteworthy night for the Dreadnaughts by accumulating 101 yards and scoring three touchdowns, including runs of 53, 21 and 15 yards. On his 53-yard score, he impressively broke multiple tackles and shifted through the Tornadoes’ defense for the Dreadnaughts’ final touchdown of the evening.

The Largo Packers visit Bryant Stadium to battle Lakeland on September 2nd, the first home game of the regular season for the Dreadnaughts.