Lakeland-Venice

[VeniceIndianFan]

2 minutes ago, skyway said:

Would have to get Clearwater to sign off on that. That was to be a return trip for the 2021 game.

 

2 minutes ago, skyway said:

Would have to get Clearwater to sign off on that. That was to be a return trip for the 2021 game.

That’s true, forgot that they were scheduled for week 1. Would love to see the Naughts beat IMG if they schedule them. Have a nice night, skyway! 

[Perspective]

8 hours ago, VeniceIndiansFootball said:

 

That’s true, forgot that they were scheduled for week 1. Would love to see the Naughts beat IMG if they schedule them. Have a nice night, skyway! 

At this point, and seeing what Lakeland has done over the last couple of months in the high school portal, if I'm the coach at Clearwater, I'd be inclined to reschedule that return game against Lakeland for 2023 instead of 2022. 

[VeniceIndianFan]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

At this point, and seeing what Lakeland has done over the last couple of months in the high school portal, if I'm the coach at Clearwater, I'd be inclined to reschedule that return game against Lakeland for 2023 instead of 2022. 

As would I. I think this year’s Lakeland squad would compete with just about anyone in the country not named Mater Dei. Unbelievable what they have done with their program in the past few months. Could this be their best team ever? Maybe. All I know is one thing: i do not want to be a team that stands in their way. 

[skyway]

14 hours ago, Perspective said:

At this point, and seeing what Lakeland has done over the last couple of months in the high school portal, if I'm the coach at Clearwater, I'd be inclined to reschedule that return game against Lakeland for 2023 instead of 2022. 

it would make some sense. But, I gather Clearwater is a program of ambition as well, and having a big name program come play them at their place is an awesome opportunity, and sure to be as close to a sellout as they could hope to have. Unless they think they'll be rebuilding and may be down 50-0 at halftime, it probably makes sense to keep the game.

[skyway]

13 hours ago, VeniceIndiansFootball said:

As would I. I think this year’s Lakeland squad would compete with just about anyone in the country not named Mater Dei. Unbelievable what they have done with their program in the past few months. Could this be their best team ever? Maybe. All I know is one thing: i do not want to be a team that stands in their way. 

On paper, it sure looks to be the best. But, they have to prove it on the field. They've been very prone to penalties for as long as anyone can remember. There's plenty that can go wrong, especially with so many new players, and the potential for some to be unhappy with the role they end up with. And, there is still some question as to whether Castle will really go through the entire season airing the ball out 20+ times a game. In 2017, Lakeland aired the ball out pretty well against eventual state champion Venice in the spring game, too. People thought Kevarris Thomas was going to be a legend. But, eventually, the offense went conservative, reverted back to a one-read passing game, and dried up the last few games of the season. If that happens again, and they revert to running the same offense they've had for years, I don't think the OL and backs are good enough to overcome the holding penalties and lack of a running threat at QB to score with ease. 

But that's the totally cynical view. The smart money is on this being the best team they've ever had, by far.