Tales of Lakeland’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Coming into Monday’s matchup with Pittsburgh Central Catholic, all the talk was that the Dreadnaughts were not the same powerhouse they were in years past. The team also lacked the marquee names on the recruiting map they normally fill. Unfortunately for Central Catholic, they appear to have restocked.
Lakeland was faster and more physical than a game Vikings team who lost starting quarterback Nolan Krivijans on the fifth play. It was later revealed he would be lost for the season.
Leading the way for the Dreadnaughts’ tailback by committee approach was sophomore Javares McRoy who, on the first play from scrimmage, took a handoff 80 yards for the touchdown. McRoy would finish the day with 106 yards on only two carries. His brother, junior Ben McRoy added 37 yards of his own.
Soon after McRoy skated to the first score, Rodney Watson punched in a short touchdown after the Dreadnaughts recovered a Catholic Central fumble. Two possessions later, another sophomore, Steward Butler took off and raced 40 yards to put Lakeland up 21-0 nothing after one quarter.
From that point on, it was all about the defense as the speedy Lakeland bunch left little room for the Vikings and their star tailback David Myers. Myers finished with 40 yards on total offense on eight touches. The Viking offense as a whole only netted 64 yards total.
Butler ended up with 68 yards on five rushed for Lakeland. Junior quarterback Jarred Haggins went 4 of 7 for 63 yards and also added 44 yards on the ground.