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Kathleen, Lake Gibson Meet for District Title, Bragging Rights
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Courtesy: TheLedger.com By BRANDT MERRITT | THE LEDGER LAKELAND | Their playoff futures are already secured, but Kathleen and Lake Gibson have plenty to play for when they meet tonight at Virgil Ramage Stadium. For starters, the winner takes the Class 4A-8 district football championship, which also means they get a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Crosstown bragging rights are also at stake. Then there is last year’s matchup, which Kathleen won, 42-7. Both coaches say this is a new year with new teams, but Lake Gibson has a chance to reclaim some pride after that blowout loss, while the Red Devils get a chance to earn the district title that would have been theirs after last season’s victory if it weren’t for six forfeits for using an ineligible player earlier in the season. “One of our main goals was to get to the playoffs,” Kathleen coach Irving Strickland said. “Our second goal was to have a chance to play for the district title, and we’ve got that chance.” The Braves and Red Devils each enter tonight’s game at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the district. Kathleen, which has lost to Tampa Jesuit (8-0, No. 3 in 2A) and South Sumter (1-8), is ranked No. 8 in the state and Lake Gibson, with losses to Lake Wales (7-1, No. 10 in 3A) and Madison County (9-0, No. 2 in 2A), is 11th. They also are returning to health, with quarterback Isaac O’Neal and defensive lineman Otis Buford heading the group of recovering Red Devils, and offensive lineman Augi Schmidt and linebacker Darryl Boone back for the Braves. But they’ll each be missing key contributors, with defensive tackle Malcolm Andrews still out for Kathleen and running back Shawndell Artis not expected to play for Lake Gibson, both with knee injuries. Lake Gibson is second in the county averaging 313.5 rushing yards per game, and even without Artis will have a potent attack behind Remi Watson (1,199 yards and 11 touchdowns) and a solid offensive line. Strickland said he doesn’t expect to shut down the Braves’ ground game completely. “They’re going to get yardage,” he said. Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said Kathleen’s defense will present a big challenge to his offense, including freshman quarterback Trey Congdon. “They’re going to fly around and hit you,” he said. DeMyer also said he expects O’Neal and Terrick Colston, who has filled in at quarterback in O’Neal’s absence, to lead a solid offense for Kathleen. Strickland said both players will see time at quarterback tonight and praised Colston’s efforts over the past few weeks, when he compiled 933 passing yards and five touchdowns with only one interception. Both coaches expect a full house and an electric atmosphere when they kick off at 7 p.m. “We’re anxious to get this thing going,” DeMyer said. |
