gwdrum75

Never liked watching a high school football game in a stadium that was 80%-90% empty. I like this move.

If Darlington had stayed, this game may have remained on the schedule. Hopefully Lakeland/Manatee can gain steam and become a rivalry again.....and the weather doesn't wash that game out like it did 2 years ago.

I have heard this from the Lakeland side as well.

No doubt. If you added up the scores from that time, it wouldn't be as bad as one would think for being so lopsided. 2018 was definitely the exception to the rule with a 50-0 Lakeland win. But many games have been under a 7 point difference.

Lakeland's biggest local 'Rivalries' (Kathleen, Winter Haven, Jenkins) have been quite lopsided. Not sure how much of a rival George Jenkins is to Lakeland, but proximity kind of dictates it. Many of the parents that lived in that area went to Lakeland (before GJ existed), and now their kids go to GJ. Lakeland is 25-2 against Kathleen since 1993 (26 regular season games, 1 playoff game). Although Kathleen has seen some more recent success, beating Lakeland in 2013 & 2016. Since 1993, Lakeland is 20-0 vs. Winter Haven Since 1994, Lakeland is 22-1 vs. George Jenkins (GJ won in 2003).

Lakeland lost starting RB Cameron McCalpin in this game for the season with a broken foot. The running game didn't miss a beat as Earl Mothersill took over and proved himself as a power back. Polk county had some good teams back then with Lakeland, Bartow & Auburndale. Auburndale would be Lakeland's only loss that season as the Bloodhounds beat the Naughts 24-20 in OT.

2006 - Lakeland - 78 George Jenkins - 0 1994 - Lakeland - 75 East Bay - 0 Pre-1963, Lakeland had a couple of 89-0 wins over Arcadia (1926) and Winter Haven (1927).

Interesting read......the 1963 Playoff policy (1st year for FHSAA football playoffs).

Lakeland

https://www.theledger.com/sports/20181211/coaching-carousel-tate-to-bartow-stanley-to-ridge Tate can get Bartow back on the map, if he's there long enough.

And I will fully admit....although not for football reasons, I moved from Bradenton to Lakeland for my child to attend LHS. Tradition and family history had alot to do with it.

A unique thing about Venice is that, I believe, they are the only High School in Venice. Much easier to keep your own players that way. One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is the sheer number of high schools there are now in single cities. When Bill Castle took over Lakeland in '76, there were 2 high schools in Lakeland (Lakeland & Kathleen). At that time, Lakeland had a student population of 2613. Since that time, Lake Gibson, George Jenkins & Teneroc were built...and Lakeland Christian and Victory Christian started playing football. All of them ate into Lakeland's student population. So there are now a number of high school football programs in a concentrated area. Honestly, Lakeland is the most 'tradition rich' school in the area. Many (probably most) kids at other schools have parents/grandparents/great-grandparents who played/went to Lakeland. And, they usually want their kid to go there as well. You can have kids living within walking distance from each other going to different schools. If they see one school with the chance to win a state championship and get them more exposure to college recruiters.........

What 2 teams do they lose to in the regular season?

Got my copy a few weeks ago. Great stuff in there and will lessen my football withdrawal symptoms until next season.

2018 6A: 59072018 7A: 6693 I guess Lakeland showed up pretty well. Sad part is that Armwood is about 20 minutes further from Orlando than Lakeland......and their crowd was dwarfed by Northwestern.

3.) Deyavie Hammond 4* OT- Was at IMG last season - Was at Lakeland his Freshman & Sophomore year 6.) Khalil Crawford LB – was at Prattville HS before transferring to Lakeland - I would assume he moved to Lakeland and isn't commuting from Alabama. 10.) Tayshawn Rodman DB – was at Victory Christian before transferring into Lakeland - Likely lives in Lakeland zone anyway as most VC & LCS kids do. 11.) Jace Hohenthaner K – was at Land O Lakes HS before transferring into Lakeland - See #6....I'm sure he's not commuting from LOL. 12.) Tyler Sheffield OC – was at Victory Christian before transferring into Lakeland - See #10......ditto Sure, Lakeland gets transfers. But, the most amusing thing I read every year is how people don't mention the kids that transfer out of Lakeland every year because they aren't starters. I believe two years ago, Lakeland lost 10+ players that transferred out to other schools. While, I admit, I miss the days of hometown teams that grew from JV to Varsity, those days are over. And, lets face it.......if you want to go back to those days, you might as well cancel the State Championship series. STA and many other privates would never lose another one if they only had to go against the old-school hometown public schools.

Great game. And I have to say, the STA fans and cheerleaders we ran into after the game were nothing but class....congratulating Lakeland on the win. Great stuff!

That can happen when you have been at one place for 43 years......and have a spotlight on your program year in and year out. You are dealing with 14-15-16-17 year old kids. How many other programs have similar issues......but the light on them is not quite as bright.... If colleges can’t eliminate issues....with 18-19-20-21 year olds living ON CAMPUS...and countless full-time coaches keeping track of things, I don’t know how a public high school coach Is supposed to have complete control over everything with kids that leave the campus when school/practice is over.....and still dealing with their day job (teaching). Try to calculate the number of kids that have come through Lakeland since Castle became head coach (1976). I would say he has a pretty good success rate with these kids.

Let me clear this up one more time. THIS IS NOT TRUE. DO NOT drag this kids name through the mud because some idiot(s) decided to start broadcasting incorrect information.

The interesting (cool) thing about this one is that it isn't Manatee High, it's Southeast.

Weiner is probably the youngest of the "long-timers' left. Castle got offers to go elsewhere, but always said he felt at home in Lakeland. One of my biggest fears with Lakeland is what happens when he retires. I'm hoping they can promote from within and keep the stability there.

The days of a Florida public school coach being at a program 10-20-30-40 years are coming to an end. Get a little success, and you can get more money somewhere else. Can't blame them.........but it's why these programs can't sustain.

I’ll be there Friday night.

Where has Lakeland been trash talking? You’ll always have random people on message boards talking. As long as the players and coaches are focused, that’s all that matters.