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LAKELAND -- Hazel Haley has seen a million games around here. Even she hadn't seen many like the one Friday night. Her favorite team lost. That hadn't happened since she was 88 years old. Hazel's 91 now, meaning it has been three state championships and a state-record 53 games since Lakeland fans felt like this. They didn't just leave disappointed; it was a shattering experience. Literally. Osceola won 25-21 when quarterback T'Sharvan Bell leaped into the end zone from a yard out with 24.4 seconds left. About 0.3 second later, the window in the visiting team's coaching box was punched out in celebration. A woman came out a minute later with an embarrassed grin. "He thought it was plastic," she said. It was the kind of moment and the kind of night that reminds you why high school football is so often better than what people see on Saturdays and Sundays. Nothing against the Patriots-Colts, but not even they can provide what fans got at Bryant Stadium. Free parking. A waterboy who is barely taller than the players' socks. $2.50 hamburgers. Runners like Osceola's Gerard "Momo" Thomas and Lakeland's Jason Guzman, neither of who are much taller than the waterboy. Two-way players like Bell, who played quarterback, cornerback and basically never left the field for three hours. Fans like Hazel. She really hadn't seen a million Dreadnaughts games, but it's not much of an exaggeration. Hazel graduated from Lakeland High in 1933 and became a teacher seven years later. What was the football scene like 70 years ago? "It was like this, darlin'," Hazel said. There were maybe 9,000 people there Friday night, including an elderly gent with a big orange battleship on his head. Some things haven't changed since the Hoover Administration. "That Dreadnaught spirit was there," Hazel said. "Just like this." She didn't stop teaching English until last year. After all those Friday nights drenched in Dreadnaughts spirit, she's developed a good nose for scouting. How about those Kowboys? "I'm a little apprehensive," Hazel said. Osceola was unbeaten and ranked No. 2 in Class 5A. Lakeland was No. 1 but had lost all but four starters off last year's team. Both teams have qualified for the playoffs and probably will face each other again in three weeks. So all that was at stake Friday was a home-field advantage in that game. Well, that and all that ongoing history. Lakeland's quarterback, Jarred Haggins, was in the fourth grade the last time the Dreadnaughts lost at home. He guided Lakeland to a 21-7 third-quarter lead. Hazel, sitting in her 45-yard-line seat, relaxed a minute. "It's looking better," she said. Then history was weirdly derailed. Lakeland appeared to have taken a 27-13 lead, but tailback T.K. Lamb fumbled just before reaching the end zone. Osceola recovered and scored a quick touchdown. After a punt, the Kowboys got the ball at the Lakeland's 37-yard line with 2 minutes, 59 seconds left. You didn't need Hazel's football eyes to see what was coming. Bell drove the Kowboys downfield. He scored. A window broke. So did about 7,500 Dreadnaughts hearts. Lakeland's players threw their helmets down in disgust. A few of them couldn't hold back the tears. "Hey," a Lakeland assistant yelled. "We're going to see them again in three weeks!" If it's anything like Friday night, here's a piece of football wisdom worthy of Hazel Haley. Install plastic windows in the coaching box.

Oh wow that’s a lot of people from dade tho lol hahaha ...so wats ya prediction for ya rockets going into the playoffs fam

I am sure those Mandarin kids wouldn't trade their rings for any amount of regular season wins. They were also 6-4 before going on their run and ironically also beat Columbus for the title. Proves that beginning next week, everyone's record is 0-0. While going undefeated in the regular season is nice, the vast majority of teams who go undefeated in the regular season never end up winning anything.

Without a title Vero's success will simply be a footnote in the record book. Impressive but not the goal that everyone would really like to have. It's a darn impressive feat but I bet they would love one title to go with it.

Preach

Don't know about the stats, but Tim Tebow and unheralded Justin Hickman from Armwood had a great QB battle in 2005.

HornetFan, notwithstanding the fact that all six of Plant's first six opponents will be in the playoffs this year, I understand the argument that you are making. In short, you believe that a team with a winning (or .500) record should be allowed into the playoffs over a team with a losing record even if the team with the losing record has a higher RPI. I respect your opinion even if I disagree with it. I think the push-back that you would get from the FHSAA is that this would encourage teams to compile easier schedules (for those teams outside of Hillsborough County who actually get to make up their own schedules). This is contrary to everything the FHSAA has tried to do lately to encourage teams to make more difficult schedules and play harder teams. It also increases the likelihood of playoff blowouts in the early rounds. I understand this probably won't change your mind, but it may make you appreciate the other side of the argument.

Speaking of playing the backups, why is it that coaches feel that it's an all-or-nothing proposition? So many times, I see a coach make wholesale changes, replacing the entire first string offense or defense with the entire second string offense or defense. It would make more sense to me to switch out a few starters at a time to get the second-team guys some reps while they can still be surrounded by 6 or 7 starters. Then put those starters back in and switch out 3 or 4 more. Perhaps if you still have the game well in hand and have a running clock or very little time is left, you can put in the whole second unit. But what do I know?

Apopka was 6-4 regular season in 2014 and ended up state champs at 11-4 when they beat Columbus.

Oh, are we playing Jeopardy????..... Ok What is "state Championship" for 300 Alex I'd rather be 6-4 or 5-5 for 3 years win a 2 state championships than to go 10-0 in the regular season and lose every year in the playoffs. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to rain on Vero's parade, but I prefer a state championship because, in the end, the 8A state champion will be talking about more than Vero's 61 game winning streak....Unless ...Vero themselves become the 8A State champions. I tell you this though.....If Vero Beach wins the 8A state championship that would be MONUMENTOUS for their program.

The muck did have a sweep we dont claim Clewiston lol

He said it's the best method they have used. The others sucked really really bad so that's not saying much

I really like the RPI. It’s the best method the FHSSA has ever used to help determine the “strongest” teams within each classification. There will be detractors and whiners with every selection process (See At-Large teams in the NCAA basketball tournament). But the FHSAA is light years ahead of where they’ve been when it comes to creating a more competitive playoff field. The only other major change that would help ensure we have the absolute best state tournament, would be to shrink the number of classifications but we all know that might take some doing. So from a spectator’s perspective, Kudos FHSAA for taking this important leap.

There will be no selection show. Brackets will start to drop at 7 AM ET on Sunday Morning. I will be up early to be ready to handle all of this for you all to read.

Only them schools are better than Madison. Madison is elite ranked 212 in the country. I wish one day the reach the top 25. That's there last goal. Greatest small school ever

Madison county needs to play IMG and some other big school next year. Madison gonna be loaded.

Hillsborough schools don't pick their schedule. We are currently the highest scoring team in the state of Florida and have had a half time running clock on 8 of our 9 opponents (averaging 43 first half points). Our defense is giving up 5.7 points per game, a good portion of that was on our 2's. 813 said previously our schedule was easy and we would get run over by Plant and Hillsborough. We didn't As to how we will stack up against Sarasota and Dr. Phillips we will see if we get there...Both are great programs and we would love to get the shot to prove ourselves. Our last experience with each of them: We went to Dr. Phillips in 2015 for our first playoff game and we had a halftime lead on them and were tied in the 4th before losing by 12, they lost in the 3rd round by 1 to state runner up Osceola. Sarasota beat us last year 14-7. We fumbled out of the end zone with 30 seconds left which would have tied the game... they went on to the final 4 We play who is on our schedule. Our team is bought in and playing great football. No clue how we will match up against whoever the playoffs bring us but we will be ready to go and excited for the battle. I do disagree with 813. a 12-1 team is a good team. Majority of playoff teams are good teams. Elite and good are different. Thanks for the respect perspective. You all may have a shot to sneak in for a Sarasota matchup. It is gonna be tight For now... our focus is on Chamberlain. Good luck to all teams this week.

1997 Jacksonville Raines vs Glades Central Mack Frazier vs Brad Banks