Here is how Lakeland overcame more adversity to beat Venice and win 9th state title

TALLAHASSEE — Lakeland was the defending Class 4S state champion but went into the the state semifinals last week as the No. 4 seed among the four teams remaining. However, for the second year in a row, the Dreadnaughts are the last team standing.

And for the second time in three weeks, Lakeland’s offense put on a show.

Lakeland pilied up more than 500 yards off offense in another offensive explosion by both teams, but it was key defensive stops aided by five turnovers that allowed Lakeland to prevail, 60-48, on Saturday night at Bragg Memorial Stadium in the 4S state championship game.

Lakeland (12-3) has now won nine state titles, the most by any public school in Florida. It is the third time the Dreadnaught have successfully defended its state title. The previous two times were in back-to-back seasons of 2005 and 2006 when they won three in a row (’04-’06).

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“This means everything,” junior quarterback Zander Smith said. “I came here and from day one, I didn’t know how serious it was of the expectation of winning a state championship. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I think we did pretty good.”

Lakeland defeated Venice, 60-48, to win the 2023 FHSAA Class 4S state championship on Dec. 9, 2023 at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

This is the second time in three weeks that Lakeland has scored at least 60 points and allowed 48 points and was prolific offensively with one arm tied behind its back. Smith threw a touchdown pass to Jamar Taylor Jr. on the first drive of the game but injured his throwing arm when he was tackled on a scrambled a 43-yard scramble. Smith, who stayed in the game, said he could not lift his…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lakeland-overcame-more-adversity-beat-070437811.html

Author : The Ledger

Publish date : 2023-12-10 07:04:37

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