Unbeaten Lakeland Is Hungry

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the new classifications were announced for the 2022 high school football season, there was one school that many felt would be able to get to Fort Lauderdale to play for a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lakeland Dreadnaughts – with legendary head coach Bill Castle – hadn't been to the title game in a few years, so with a strong senior class and some impressive underclassmen, this was the season that everything was coming together – and it did.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The unbeaten (13-0) Dreadnaughts ride into DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday after (1:00) for a showdown with defending state champion Venice in a battle for the 4S title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The path to this game was direct – with two of the toughest games coming to the same program – Kissimmee Osceola – winning by a combined eight points, but this team is loaded, outscoring the opposition, 518-97.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior class is indeed a great place to start – with big time defensive back recruit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127996' first='Cormani' last='McClain']</strong> (6-2, 180) leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to the University of Miami commit, Lakeland also boast some impressive Class of 2023 standouts such as <strong>Darian Anderson</strong> (OG, 6-2, 325), <strong>Rolijah Hardy</strong> (OLB, 6-1, 225), <strong>Shadarian Harrison</strong> (CB, 6-0, 170), <strong>Chevaughn Hibbert</strong> (DT, 6-2, 285), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128320' first='Tyler' last='Jefferson']</strong> (DE, 6-3, 205), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128714' first='Donares' last='Johnson']</strong> (RB, 5-10, 170), <strong>Jerrod Johnson</strong> (S, 6-0, 175), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128053' first='Larry' last='Jones'] III</strong> (LB, 6-2, 240), <strong>Dontay Joyner</strong> (CB, 6-0, 170), (LB, 6-2, 220), <strong>Idris King</strong> (DE, 6-3, 230) and cornerback <strong>Kamaurri McKinley</strong> (6-2, 185).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are also <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381555' first='Guerlens' last='Milfort']</strong> (DE, 6-2, 275), <strong>K'Darius Parker</strong> (TE, 6-2, 225), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128339' first='Zachary' last='Pleuss'] (</strong>QB, 6-0, 170), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128727' first='Robert' last='Riley']</strong> (OLB, 6-2, 185), <strong>Melvin Robinson Jr.</strong> (OT, 6-5, 295), <strong>Michael Singleton</strong> (CB, 6-3, 190), <strong>Devin Vass</strong> (OL, 6-6, 255), <strong>Jhoelle Velazquez</strong> (WR, 5-9, 155), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381533' first='Tyler' last='Williams']</strong> (WR, 6-5, 194), <strong>Gernorris Wilson</strong> (OT, 6-5, 300), <strong>Twan Wilson</strong> (Athlete, 6-2, 175) and receiver <strong>Daidren Zipperer</strong> (6-1, 170).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE DREADNAUGHTS ARE LOADED FOR THE FUTURE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like so many quality teams, Lakeland is indeed ready for the future as well – with Class of 2024 standouts <strong>Jayren “Pat” Dennis </strong>(WR, 6-4, 185), <strong>Markell Johnson</strong> (RB, 5-10, 180), <strong>Devontae Kendrick</strong> (OL, 6-4, 330), <strong>Omari Mixon</strong> (TE, 6-2, 200), <strong>Jack Proctor</strong> (DE, 6-3, 190), <strong>D'Marius Rucker</strong> (RB, 5-9, 175), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827607' first='Joshua' last='Smith']</strong> (OLB, 6-2, 220), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404260' first='Jamar' last='Taylor Jr'].</strong> (WR, 6-2, 195), <strong>Omari X. Thompson</strong> (DL, 5-11, 225), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727595' first='Michael' last='Walker']</strong> (RB, 6-1, 235) and athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404159' first='Brayshon' last='Williams']</strong> (6-0, 175).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also keep an eye on Class of 2025 standout <strong>Isaiah Pratt</strong> (LB, 5-10, 210) as well as some other young contributors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE DREADNAUGHTS (13-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater, W 42-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WINTER HAVEN, W 39-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KISSIMMEE OSCEOLA, W 25-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 47-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartow, W 38-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland George Jenkins, W 49-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CLEARWATER ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL, W 44-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland Kathleen, W 35-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Petersburg Lakewood, W 48-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 48-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NEW PORT RICHEY MITCHELL, W 47-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAKE MINNEOLA, W 41-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KISSIMMEE OSCEOLA, W 14-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Contact [player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein'] at Floridakids1@aol.com for more information.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->