Really doesn't matter if the game counts or not.
Lakeland didn't bring very much to the table.
Only Florida can set up these marquee kickoff classics that evidently mean absolutely nothing.
Why bother?
Just scrimmage yourselves and then call it a scrimmage.
Getting running clocked in a kickoff classic can't be good for the head going into the season.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/08/17/football-coach-jaquatin-victrum-miami-northwestern-lakeland-high-school-teddy-bridgewater/85656542007/
If DLS beats Lakeland then the normal suspects from Florida will say well Lakeland was running clocked by Miami Northwestern and the game will count then. You see it every year.
Lakeland will lose to DLS because they are not very good. Anyone who watched spring and fall practice could've told you that. People close to the program were sounding the alarms in the summer.
They will lose to DLS, possibly Lake Mary, and the first Academy. Then in the playoffs.
So 8-4 is realistic with no good wins
Another embarrasing loss. No excuses. Bill Castle retired, and Lakeland is going the way of Nebraska after Tom Osborne retired.
Northwestern is flat loaded, and may be as good or better than anyone in the state. Lakeland is obviously not as good. But, they really managed to play stupidly to make things as bad as possible. The defense was acceptable, and the offense flashed signs of improvement. But, what is clear about the current staff is that they are not smart or strategic.
De La Salle is nowhere near as formiddable as MNW. Lakeland should have the players to be in the game and have a chance to win. It'll probably be a close game. But, at this point, you have to assume the home team is going to beat the visiting team which frequently does stupid things to beat itself.
Quote from: Nolebull813 on Aug 17, 2025, 11:19 AMLakeland will lose to DLS because they are not very good. Anyone who watched spring and fall practice could've told you that. People close to the program were sounding the alarms in the summer.
They will lose to DLS, possibly Lake Mary, and the first Academy. Then in the playoffs.
So 8-4 is realistic with no good wins
Observers should note Nolebull has absolutely used the results of a spring game and kickoff classic to evaluate Lakeland. He may very well be right about them; I'm not arguing he's wrong. But, let's not forget he's the only person on the planet arguing the aforementioned games are meaningless. No intellectual consistency here. I think it's obvious he knows much can be learned from these games. He only argues otherwise if it's convenient or entertaining for him :o
Quote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 17, 2025, 01:20 PMQuote from: Nolebull813 on Aug 17, 2025, 11:19 AMLakeland will lose to DLS because they are not very good. Anyone who watched spring and fall practice could've told you that. People close to the program were sounding the alarms in the summer.
They will lose to DLS, possibly Lake Mary, and the first Academy. Then in the playoffs.
So 8-4 is realistic with no good wins
Observers should note Nolebull has absolutely used the results of a spring game and kickoff classic to evaluate Lakeland. He may very well be right about them; I'm not arguing he's wrong. But, let's not forget he's the only person on the planet arguing the aforementioned games are meaningless. No intellectual consistency here. I think it's obvious he knows much can be learned from these games. He only argues otherwise if it's convenient or entertaining for him :o
I'm not saying the spring, summer and preseason mean something about Lakeland. I'm saying anyone who is affiliated with the program in any way, shape or form has been sounding the alarms for months about this being an anemic squad that is heading nowhere fast.
Im not saying that's gospel, im just stating what people who are invested are saying.
Also I have them in the state top 25 for the preseason. If I was putting stock in the spring and preseason they wouldn't be ranked at all and nowhere close to it
The only person who's been in forums who's expressed skepticism about Lakeland is me. I've been the only Lakeland/Polk person who's publicly questioned them. The others aren't from Polk. Or are you citing anonymous sources?
Quote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 17, 2025, 03:04 PMThe only person who's been in forums who's expressed skepticism about Lakeland is me. I've been the only Lakeland/Polk person who's publicly questioned them. The others aren't from Polk. Or are you citing anonymous sources?
I'm talking about guys from the FL board. What is your name over there?
Lakeland will pull it together. They just played a much more talented team.
Quote from: 181pl on Aug 18, 2025, 07:51 AMLakeland will pull it together. They just played a much more talented team.
By turning it around, you mean beat all the bad teams they play and lose to all the good ones?
Northwestern sounds like a top 5 team in Florida
Quote from: Steeler01 on Aug 18, 2025, 02:19 PMNorthwestern sounds like a top 5 team in Florida
If killing a team as bad as Lakeland will get you in the top five, then they might need more than five spots for the top five. Lol.
NM. If the mp roster is correct they have no lineman? Killed by transfers?