Haines City at No. 3 Lakeland
When: Friday 7:30pm
Where: Bryant Stadium, Lakeland
TV: BHSN Channel 47 and HD 1147
Live streaming: log onto bhsnlive.com to watch the game online and on demand
Coaches: the ultimate contrast in tenures here as Jake Chapman has been on the job in Haines City for less than two months with a 2-1 all-time record. Lakeland’s Bill Castle enters his 39th season with a 382-77 mark.
How they match up: It has been a whirlwind summer for Haines City as Ron Johnson was finally replaced by Jake Chapman as the Hornets head coach in August. Having graduated from Miami Beach High and coached Hialeah, North Miami Beach and Plantation, Chapman is a product of South Florida football and has been around some of the state’s elite coaches and players. Because he took over the Hornets right before the start of camp, he has not changed much in the offensive or defensive philosophy.
The Hornets (2-1) are off to a solid start with their lone defeat coming to Winter Haven in a game shortened by lightning. The Hornets have arguably the best defensive player in the state in Florida State recruit and five-star prospect Derwin James. James is a game-changer who is getting plenty of help from LBs Tavon Cox and Fenold Dorismond, who goes 6’3, 230 pounds. The big question for the Hornets is do they have enough offense to hang with the Dreadnaughts? Expect Coach Chapman to use James more as a weapon offensively this week.
Lakeland is pretty much Lakeland. After getting a good test in a 28-18 preseason victory against Lake Gibson, the Dreadnaughts have rolled the past three weeks, pounding Treasure Coast (41-7), Winter Haven (20-0), and Lyman (49-28). The Dreadnaughts are led by the consistency of Aaron Johnson. In his second year as the starting QB, Coach Castle loves his demeanor and ability to make a play when it’s there while not making many mistakes. The skill positions are loaded.
Sophomore RB Anthony Davis is coming off an 826-yard freshman rushing campaign. He gashed a very good Winter Haven defense a few weeks back for 232 yards, and he is already getting serious interest from Ohio State. Senior fullback Ra’Don Dwight is a bulldozer, getting the tough yards when needed. The emerging star has been Sophomore James Robinson. At 6’3, 184 Robinson has speed, skills and plenty of football savvy. He already has become a target for the University of Florida and will likely be the main concern for James of Haines City.
If Lakeland has a weak spot, it would be on defense. This unit is scrappy, but does have the big names of Lakeland defenses of old. They are also not very big and can be moved by physical teams. Still, they feed off their offense and if Haines City does not get off to a good start, it could be a long night for the Hornets.
Things to know:
1). Lakeland has more playoff wins than any other Bay Area team with 59.
2). In 2001, Lakeland was riding a 60-game regular season win streak but it was eventually snapped by Haines City
3). There are six unbeaten Polk County teams right now. Lakeland is one of them.
4). Haines City superstar Derwin James is rated the 4th best prospect in the country and has been a Florida State commit since his freshman year.