Lake Gibson finally got ’em. The Braves finally beat their crosstown rival Lakeland in a hard hitting, big play classic. In a game defined by opportunity, Lake Gibson topped Lakeland 14-7.

Note: The FHSAA started allowing schools to play full preseason games in 1993. Since then, Lake Gibson and Lakeland have played (preseason games) each other 6 times. Lakeland winning 4 of those preseason contests. The Drednaughts have outscored the Braves 122-55 in those 6 games and 100-7 in the most recent games played in 2009-2012. Lakeland has won the last four preseason games versus Lake Gibson with the last three games ending with Lake Gibson not scoring a point.

Before the game even started, “I hate that school” was the running theme. Coming from both sides of the stadium, the atmosphere was starting to take shape like a heavy weight battle. The game started off with the defenses setting the tone. Flying around, playing loose and even knocking helmets off of the opponent.

Throughout the game, both teams had offensive possessions where they looked in midseason form. Moved the ball, kept the defense off balance and drove deep into the opponent’s territory.

At the same time, both teams displayed mistakes and errors expected in a Fall Classic. After a brief lightning delay, the thunder really hit on field. Halftime rejuvenated each team and players came out wanting to win!

Lakeland
RB Ra’Don Dwight – will be a 1,000 yard rusher this year. He ran the ball like a man on a mission. Tough football player, low to the ground, compact…just tough as nails. Impressed with how he took on tacklers and never turned away from contact.

LB Kelvin Broome, Dominic McNish and Trey Threatt – were all over the place. If they were not dislodging the ball from the ball carrier, knocking off a helmet or disrupting passing lanes, they were making bone crushing tackles and stopping Lake Gibson scoring drives.

QB Aaron Johnson – will have a really good season. Could run for 1K and pass for another 1K. He was dangerous as a runner last night. Slippery and super fast. Threw some nice balls that his receivers dropped.

Lake Gibson
LB Thomas Bolles – was the smallest player on the field and made the biggest impact. When I say “All over the field” I mean just that. He was terrorizing the Lakeland backfield, slipping through traffic making tackles. Tracking down ball carriers and making tackles. Meeting the opponent in the hole, making tackles. His energy spread through the team and kept the spirits high when Lakeland was putting the pressure on the Brave defense.

QB Trey Congdon – was not at his best last night, but made plays when they needed to be made. His shinning moment was late in the game. 4th down and 3 at the 46 yard line, Congdon took a QB sneak 46 yards for a TD and converted the 2 point conversion which put Lake Gibson up 14-7. He also threw a hitch and go for a TD earlier in the game.

CB Derrien Bomar – made one of the biggest plays of the night. With just over a minute to play in the contest, Lakeland was pushed back due to penalties and forced into an obvious passing situation, Bomar intercepted Johnson’s pass, wiggled and waggled his way to the endzone. The TD would not stand because of a holding call. But, would give the Braves back the ball with less than a minute left in the game.