and 10th playoff matchup overall. Lakeland leads the state title series 5-2, but was embarrassed by STA in their two losses including last season

and 10th playoff matchup overall. Lakeland leads the state title series 5-2, but was embarrassed by STA in their two losses including last season

Nice!!.... Go Lakeland!!.... Congrats!!... 🍻

Gaybob813 said Lakeland was a shit team when they lost to DLS, remember that thread?

I said Lakeland would probably be back in the State Championship game and here they are.

STA has had 4 knockouts in the Playoffs, hopefully Lakeland will punch back!

Nice!!.... Go Lakeland!!.... Congrats!!... 🍻

For old time's sake, since STA's only loss is to an 8-3 CA team who lost in the second round of the playoffs, and since Lakeland lost to DLS, FL's trophy belongs to CA this year.

But in all seriousness, go Lakeland!

I can't recall if I've mentioned it, but the QB Lakeland used to start the season- was committed to Arkansas of the SEC- left the program after returning from the DLS loss. They switched a WR/RB/KR to QB and, initally, I assumed he was just an option/wildcat guy and the passing game would go down the tubes. But, Kelin Hendrix has made the passing game BETTER. He was QB for winless Kathleen last season, and played behind what's been a mediocre OL this season, and yet has thrown 36 TD passes over those two seasons, while being an elite, elusive runner. Despite having the same supporting cast as earlier, the offense looks rather dramatically different. He'll make the occassional WTF? throw, but around those are some brilliant plays. He may well even have a future at QB at the next level. Regardless, he'll be the most impactful QB STA has ever seen from Lakeland. It's still going to be a slog for the offense vs. STA, but they at least now have some bite unlike last season following the injury to their best player.

A sign of these weird times: Lakeland has faced both of the QBs playing for the California Open Bowl title game. We know about the DLS game, but Lakeland beat Santa Margarita's QB (Trace Johnson) in the playoffs two years ago as well.