Kathleen Red Devils (5-3) vs. No. 5 Lakeland Dreadnaughts (9-0)
When: Friday, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Johnnie Johnson Stadium - Lakeland, Fla.
TV: BHSN Channel 47 and HD 1147
Live Streaming: log onto bhsnlive.com to watch the game online.
Coaches: Bill Castle, 39th season (388-77); Irving Strickland, 8th season (50-35).
How they match up: No question, Lakeland vs. Kathleen is the premier rivalry in Polk County. Lakeland had beaten the Red Devils in every match up since 1992, but that streak ended last season with Kathleen's 24-3 win. They also took home a district championship.
How close has this series been? Lakeland leads with an all-time record of 37-12, but it has been especially good recently. Five of the last 10 games have been decided by a touchdown or less. What's at stake? Winner takes home a district championship.
As for the teams, both are strong defensively. Lakeland has held opponents to just 8.2 points per game this season, including three shutouts. Kathleen has back-to-back shutout wins over Haines City and Jenkins, but it will be a tough task shutting down Aaron Johnson and the Lakeland offense, averaging 36.6 points per game this season. Dexter Brown, a Lakeland transfer, will hope to lead the Red Devil offense to a second-straight win over the Dreadnaughts.
Three things to know:
1. Lakeland has already clinched its 22nd-straight playoff birth, a bay-area record.
2. If Kathleen loses, there could be a three-way tie for district runner-up (and a playoff spot), if Haines City and Bartow win.
Other scenarios: Kathleen is district runner-up if Haines City wins and Bartow loses. Kathleen is district runner-up if Haines City and Bartow lose. Bartow is the district runner-up if they win and Haines City and Kathleen lose.
3. Kathleen has made the playoffs in five-consecutive seasons.