Quick running-clock 44-12 over West Broward. WB lost a bunch of major transfers and so Lakeland basically had to put the running-clock on them to be a true contender to win the first ever Florida Open division title. Not sure how impressive the win was.
About that goal:
- QB Kelin Hendrix did nothing to dispel doubts about his accuracy as a passer.
- 4* Dominic Harris was a ballboy. Lakeland needs him to be playing, as without him they gave up the two bad TDs to WB.
On the bright side, while there's no getting around the QB accuracy issues, the rest of the offense (including Hendrix's speed and leadsership) may actually be quite strong. The OL looks legit, and the skill positions are loaded.
Most feel this will be among the best Lakeland teams ever, even without Drew Sapp. But I fear Hendrix's accuracy issues will mean they can't get by STA yet again.
Are these real games already? Not one of those bullshit foundation type games that may count if you win and wont count if you lose.
Do all the stats count for the players seasons stats? Does it count on the teams official season schedule?
Quote from: Cossacks on Aug 13, 2026, 09:15 PMAre these real games already? Not one of those bullshit foundation type games that may count if you win and wont count if you lose.
Do all the stats count for the players seasons stats? Does it count on the teams official season schedule?
I always get confused on how fl treats those first games. Some say its a glorified scrimmage and some treat them as life or death. At least that's how it was on the old board.
Quote from: Cossacks on Aug 13, 2026, 09:15 PMAre these real games already? Not one of those bullshit foundation type games that may count if you win and wont count if you lose.
Do all the stats count for the players seasons stats? Does it count on the teams official season schedule?
It's always difficult for most from other states or eras to understand the Florida August Kickoff Classics. The classics do not count towards records, but you'd be dead wrong if you think that means the interpretative value is akin to an NFL preseason game. The games are played to win; they in no way resemble the sort of scrimmage which is common elsewhere.
A couple of points of reference:
- last year, Miami Northwestern spanked Lakeland, and you won't find a single comment from me casting doubt on the meaning of the result. What you will find is Teddy Bridgewater watching the game live from NFL training camp, and calling in to the Bulls locker room to celebrate with team. The on3 site will forever refer to the 2025 Lakeland team as being 12-4, even though MNW was the 4th loss and didn't officially count.
- Carol City and West Boca are playing right now as I type, and it's a standing room only crowd, with lots of trash talking and personal foul penalties, and I know this because I spent $10 to watch the game on hudl.
Now, because it doesn't count, there are some minor ways that might show up. A key player who's a little banged up may be held out, though this is no different than a regular season game against a lesser opponent. And coaches may try plays/players/formations they're not 100% sure about, whereas in a playoff or huge game they're going to trim things down to what they love best.
We absolutely know Lakeland is significantly better than WB, and is definitely better than the last couple seasons. The same way we know STA is way better than Cardinal Mooney, as I'm also watching that game live and STA is up 36-0 in the 2nd quarter at Cardinal Mooney. And we know West Boca is, at worst, neck and neck with Carol City, as they're leading 14-10 in the 3rd quarter and CC's TD came on a "drive" where WB was called for four (4) personal foul penalties on that one drive.
You can check out the game in question here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlTOmSRCdxE)
Quote from: AztecPadre on Aug 14, 2026, 03:50 PMI always get confused on how fl treats those first games. Some say its a glorified scrimmage and some treat them as life or death. At least that's how it was on the old board.
They are ran like a real game in terms of the way the game is played. As opposed to a scrimmage where teams typically go 10 plays against 10 plays and so on. A kickoff classic preseason game doesn't count, and it is common for backups and 3rd stringers to make their way in towards the end of the game. And teams will play a little vanilla to not give their week 1 opponent any good film.
And when people say "they play to win" that's assuming the opposite is "they play to lose" which I don't believe anyone would go into any type of athletic competition with that mindset. So saying they play to win is mildly disingenuous.
But preseason results don't automatically give you some magic preview of how a team is gonna fare on the year
Carol City defeats West Boca 24-23 in OT. Only the dumbest people imaginable could watch the game I just watched and come away thinking it was a "scrimmage". I'm quite confident that anyone here who watched the game would easily recognize this was a real game that was played with every bit the intensity you'd find if the game were played any other week. CC was more excited to get this win than they'd be if they beat some slapdick for a state title. The game may well end up being the game of the year in the state of Florida.
The NFL exhibitions that many assume these games are comparable to are typically not really played to win. Only morons put any stock into the results of NFL exhibitions. And only morons think the Florida kickoff classics are like those.
Further, I think STA comes out of this weekend an even clearer favorite to win the Open title than before. They declined to kick the EP as the running clock ran out with them beating Cardinal Mooney 49-0. That said, we can also anticipate Mooney being a notch or two below where they were lastn year, when they battled STA for four quarters.
Quote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 14, 2026, 06:36 PMCarol City defeats West Boca 24-23 in OT. Only the dumbest people imaginable could watch the game I just watched and come away thinking it was a "scrimmage". I'm quite confident that anyone here who watched the game would easily recognize this was a real game that was played with every bit the intensity you'd find if the game were played any other week. CC was more excited to get this win than they'd be if they beat some slapdick for a state title. The game may well end up being the game of the year in the state of Florida.
The NFL exhibitions that many assume these games are comparable to are typically not really played to win. Only morons put any stock into the results of NFL exhibitions. And only morons think the Florida kickoff classics are like those.
Play to win is a funny thing to have to keep trying to convince people of. Lol. It's Atheltic competition. I would hope if you are competing, you are trying to win. No one goes into a competition with the mindset of trying to get the breaks beat off them.