Lakeland Returns to Where Streak Ended

By SOLANGE REYNER

THE LEDGER

 

Lakeland coach Bill Castle won't speak to The Ledger and isn't allowing his athletes to do so either until the FHSAA investigation into the eligibility of five of his football players is complete.

 

So the team will have to do its talking on the football field.

 

But if Haines City (1-2) has its way Friday night, the Dreadnaughts (3-0) will leave Joe Stangry Stadium the same way they did the last time they traveled to play the Hornets — with their first regular-season loss in a long time.

 

The last time Lakeland traveled to Haines City to play a game was in 2001 and the team had its 60-game regular season win streak snapped with a 2-0 loss in a sloppy contest that featured plenty of missed opportunities and field goals.

 

"It was a very bizarre game," said Haines City coach Pete Barber, who was an assistant coach at the time. "But somehow, someway we pinned them deep and Jeremy Spencer hit their quarterback and Antonio Berry jumped on top of him to get the safety."

 

But that game is history, and Haines City's focus now is to make up for losing its last two games in a row.

 

"We're ready to get out there and show them what we've got," said Haines City sophomore running back Dacorius Law, who is third in the county in rushing with 449 yards.

 

"We're ready to show them we can play defense, execute and get the job done. We're ready for whatever they've got to bring to us."

 

Lakeland has some firepower on offense.

 

The Dreadnaughts are averaging 39 points per game and 362 yards.

 

And they're doing it behind a quarterback who barely got reps at that spot over the summer and spring.

 

But they were tested last Friday when they fell behind early against Flanagan (Broward County).

 

This week could be more challenging considering the Dreadnaughts will go without three starters: offensive lineman Devonte Mackey, linebacker Logan Cochran and punter/tight end Ian Bacon will all miss the game because of injuries, Castle said in his weekly video series, "Conversations with Coach Castle," on Lakeland's website.

 

"I'm a little nervous about Haines City," Castle said in the online video, found on www.lakelandfootball.com.

 

"The environment is not going to be near as exciting like we've had at Bryant Stadium. Hopefully our kids understand it's a district game and an important game."

 

Barber is expecting the match-up to be a tough one, and he's been stressing execution and playing all four quarters.

 

In both losses this season, the Hornets lost on last minute plays.

 

"We're really killing ourselves. When you look back, they're self inflicting wounds," Barber said.

 

"We've got to correct those things and we can be a pretty good football team."