The Lakeland Dreadnaughts took one step closer to their seventh state title with an impressive Region Semifinal win over Plant, defeating the Panthers 21-11 at Bryant Stadium.
Offensively, the star power of Lakeland broke through for just enough big plays, as James Robinson accounted for 90 receiving yards on the opening drive that was capped by a 37-yd TD pass from Holden Hotchkiss to Robinson (5 receptions, 118 yards). Anthony Davis was bottled up by the Plant defense in the first half, as he was held to -2 yards, but exploded for 122 second-half yards and a 40-yd TD on his first carry of the third quarter.
Lakeland's defense came through in clutch situations as well, with interceptions of Dane Frantzen by Ja'Qurius Smith and Kelvin Broome after Plant had driven into Lakeland territory. Tykese Keaton-Baldwin finished with 117 rushing yards, while Frantzen and Michael Murphy connected for a 65-yd touchdown in the fourth quarter to bring Plant within ten.
Dreadnaughts QB Holden Hotchkiss earned Player of the Game honors, throwing for 159 yards and also rushing for a TD. He will lead the Dreadnaughts into their first Region Final appearance since 2011, when they travel to Viera for the 7A Region 2 Championship next week. Lakeland improves to 9-2 on the season, while Plant ends their season with a 9-3 record.
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Here are all the scores from the second week of FHSAA playoff football.
Class 8A
Regional Semifinal
Atlantic Community 29, Boca Raton Community 14
Christopher Columbus Catholic 35, Coral Gables 0
Dr. Phillips 40, Manatee 21
Flanagan 17, Deerfield Beach 0
Kissimmee Osceola 42, Vero Beach 35
Mandarin 20, Lake Brantley 0
South Dade 21, Miami Southridge 14
West Orange 21, Apopka 14
Class 7A
Regional Semifinal
Bartram Trail 35, Buchholz 21
Braden River 17, Venice 0
Columbia 57, Lincoln 20
Lakeland 21, Plant 11
Plant City 35, Tampa Bay Tech 15
St. Thomas Aquinas 24, Dwyer 7
Viera 47, Martin County 17
Class 6A
Regional Semifinal
Armwood 34, Brandon 14
Charlotte 41, Port Charlotte 17
Gainesville 35, Ocala Vanguard 28
Mainland 21, Heritage 14
Miami Central 36, Miami Carol City 8
Naples 37, Fort Myers 18
Niceville 36, Choctawhatchee 21
Tate 31, Pine Forest 7
Class 5A
Regional Semifinal
Bishop Moore 49, Merritt Island 28
Clay 65, North Marion 58
Dunbar 49, Immokalee 3
Hallandale 27, Plantation American Heritage 20
Jesuit 38, Jefferson 7
Nature Coast Tech 42, River Ridge 33
Suwannee 26, Ribault 20, 2OT
Wakulla 34, Rickards 19
Class 4A
Regional Final
Cocoa 51, Avon Park 8
Miami Washington 35, Glades Central 21
Raines 34, Bolles School 8
Santa Fe 15, Dunnellon 14
Class 3A
Regional Final
Clearwater Central Catholic 46, John Carroll Catholic 14
Delray American Heritage 16, Oxbridge Academy 11
Tampa Catholic 35, Ocala Trinity Catholic 6
Trinity Christian-Jacksonville 51, Taylor County 0
Class 2A
Regional Final
Cambridge Christian 36, Admiral Farragut 32
First Baptist 35, Dade Christian 7
University Christian 38, North Florida Christian 30
Victory Christian 12, Foundation Academy 7
Class 1A
Regional Final
Baker 48, Vernon 20
Madison County 28, Fort White 19
Port St. Joe 17, Blountstown 14, 2OT
Trenton 42, Dixie County 6