Lakeland Starts Slow, Finishes Strong

Sat. September 01, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. | By Blake Hasenzahl

BLAKE HASENZAHL

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

LAKELAND | The Lakeland Dreadnaughts looked just as dominant on defense Friday night as they did last season in the state semifinals.

On offense, not so much.

Shaking off a slow first half, the ’Naughts scored 21 second- half points in the team’s season opener to defeat St. Cloud 28-0 in front of 900 fans at Bryant Stadium.

Lakeland could have scored three more times with ease, though. A pass was dropped in the endzone on a fourth-down play, a 70-yard punt return was called back and a 10-yard touchdown run by Robert Smith also was negated.

In total, Lakeland was penalized 15 times for 130 yards. But it didn’t matter. Smith still battled back and finished with two touchdowns and 223 yards rushing.

Smith put the first points on the board after a zero-yard punt by Nick Askey landed Lakeland it’s best starting field position at that point, on the St. Cloud 46. One play later Smith ran off-tackle for a 46-yard score.

Smith’s other rushing touchdown came in similar fashion. This time a 64 yard run following a St. Cloud punt.

Lakeland plays at home next week against Tenoroc.



Visitor                     0   0   0   0 —    0

Home                      0   7   7 14 — 28

Second Quarter

LHS -- Robert Smith 46 run (Caleb Hough kick), 7:47

Third Quarter

LHS -- Robert Smith 63 run (Caleb Hough kick) 0:00

Fourth Quarter

LHS -- TJ Simmons 3 run (Caleb Hough kick), 5:37

LHS -- Gabriel Walker 10 run (Caleb Hough kick), 1:32 Att: 900