Lake Wales at Winter Haven on paper looked like a great game. It wasn’t. The Blue Devil flexed their muscles with a punishing run game enforced by the push of the offensive line.
Winter Haven took control of the game on their very first drive gashing the Highlander defense gaining 6, 7 and 8 yards a carry. As soon as the Highlander defense started to tighten down, timely play action over the heads of the secondary.
Tekendrick Roberson started the scoring off for Winter Haven with a 8 yard TD run set up by a big pitch and catch from William Tate to Homecoming King (announced last night) Darius James. Blue Devils took an early 7-0 lead and then Roberson put them up by 14 after ripping off a 45 yard TD run to end the 1st quarter.
Lake Wales found it tough trying to move the ball versus a stiff Blue Devil defense. The defensive line, led by DE Toris Toung was very active and just about completely shut down the Highlander run attack and pressured Lake Wales QB Xavier Gaines all night. WR Darius Philon made a huge catch on the Lake Wales sideline to set up a Daniel Thompson 28 yard FG. WH 17 – LW 0.
Lake Wales finally got something going towards the end of the half, picking up a big gain on a Justin Henderson toss pass, Xavier Gaines 12 yard run and on 3rd down and goal, Earnest Hamilton scored on a 1 yard TD run. Lake Wales cut the lead down 17-7. However, After two big pass plays that were questionable fumbles recovered by Lake Wales, Winter Haven QB William Tate found Chayce Armbruster in the back of the end zone for a TD with :07 left to end the half.
Half
Winter Haven 24
Lake Wales 7
The third quarter started slow. Both teams traded possessions to start the period before Javonte Arius returned an interception 52 yards for a TD making the score 31-7 at the end of the third period. Late in the 4th quarter Winter Haven RB Brandon Bivins scored on a short rush after the Blue Devils systematically drove the ball down the field to make the Final Score, Winter Haven 38 Lake Wales 7.
Winter Haven moves to 6-1 and Lake Wales falls to 5-2.