LAKELAND, Fla. — The sights and sounds of a Lakeland High football game draw a lot of people in. Few do it better than the Dreadnaughts.

There’s a lot going on. From the pregame pageantry to the action on the field, Lakeland squeezes every ounce of excitement and fun from a football game.

For defensive end Isaiah Bizzell, playing under the Friday Night lights taps into a childhood vision, something he’s thought about for a long time.

“I’ve loved it since back in middle school,” Isaiah said. “It’s been my dream to play in the NFL since I was little.”

Football’s taught Isaiah a lot about himself, like dreaming big and never giving up. But it isn’t the only activity providing learning lessons. Friday night’s for this junior are more than playing during the game. As his team runs off the field for the locker room at halftime, Isaiah stays behind with the band. That’s because he’s part of the halftime show playing the horn.

Isaiah got into music around the same time as football. His mom is a musician so he grew up around it. But marching band gives him something football doesn’t. It taps into his creative side. Just like a touchdown or a big hit in a game, music is a mood booster. It can raise you up. It can make you happy. And that’s exactly what it does for Isaiah. It’s also provided a new of focus, since he has to find time for his two loves - football and music.

“I’m not really good at multitasking, but this is kind of easy,” he said.

Striking the balance between football and music is not easy. But that’s where the hard work pays off for Isaiah because he needs both in his life. There was a time Isaiah struggled with his school work. Then football and music provided a purpose to do better. And he has, thanks to his two loves.

“Since I have ADHD, I have a lot of energy, so I just love doing stuff,” Isaiah said. “It’s natural to me. That’s how I am.”