Friday football roundup: Lakeland clinches district title; Mulberry upsets Frostproof

Lakeland's offense had a bit of a hiccup for three games because of an injury to junior quarterback Zander Smith, but the passing game heated up against George Jenkins on Friday night.

Smith tossed three touchdown pass, two to Jamar Taylor, and backup Elijah Bell also threw a touchdown pass as the Dreadnaughts routed the Eagles, 59-0, at Bryant Stadium.

On a night where Lakeland's offense lit up the scoreboard, it was the defense that started the scoring as defensive back Carlos Mitchell returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game.

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Smith missed most of the Winter Haven game, was out against Lake Gibson then returned against Bartow but didn't throw a lot. All three of his touchdown passes came in the second quarter.

With Lakeland leading 10-0, Smith hit Jamar Taylor Jr. for an 11-yard TD pass. After Markell Smith scored on a 15-yard run, Smith found Taylor again for a 35-yard touchdown pass then hooked up with Omari Mixon for an 11-yard scoring strike.

In the second half, Bell and Ladarius Dobie hooked up for a 43-yard touchdown pass, then Tobie scored on a 26-yard run. Michael Walker finished off the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown run.

Lakeland (6-2) clinched the district title, as it would win head-to-head tiebreakers with Lake Gibson or George Jenkins. Kathleen would have to pull of a major upset in two weeks for the tiebreaker to come into the picture.

Mulberry 14, Frostproof 7

MULBERRY — After a tough loss last week, Mulberry coach Brad Metheny was hoping his team would answer back in a key Class 2S, District 13 showdown with Frostproof.

The Panthers made their coach proud.

DaiDai McWilliams scored two touchdowns and a two-point conversion and Mulberry’s defense held Frostproof in check at The Phosphate Bowl.

“We ran the ball real well tonight,” Metheny said. “The defense played the game of their lives. We were able to get pressure on the quarterback when we needed to … it was huge. I was pleased with our kids’ attitudes after the loss last week. They rebounded and stayed focused. They had a will not to lose tonight and it was special.”

Mulberry (5-2, 2-1) plays at Ida Baker next week. Frostproof (5-2, 1-1) has a chance to create a three-way tie in the district if it can rebound at Fort Meade (6-0, 1-0) on Oct. 27. Fort Meade will be favored when it plays its second district game next week against Tenoroc.

Lake Wales 41, Gateway 0

LAKE WALES — Kaneilius Purdy opened the game with a 51-yard touchdown run and the Highlanders never looked back in a Class 3S, District 8 rout.

Lake Wales led 35-0 after the first quarter as Purdy added a punt return for a touchdown to go with Bryce Levidiotis’ quarterback sneak, Rashad Orr’s 18-yard touchdown run and Dontavious Purdy’s fumble recovery in the end zone.

A’ssiah Williams later added a touchdown run in the fourth quarter as the rest of the game was played with a running clock.

Lake Wales (7-0, 3-0) will be at home against Liberty next week in a district matchup.

Auburndale 62, Liberty 0

AUBURNDALE — The Bloodhounds made sure Homecoming was a success with a runaway victory over the Chargers in a Class 3S, District 8 contest at Bruce Canova Stadium.

Auburndale led 42-0 after the first quarter on two touchdowns from Jaysean Pritchard and one each from Charles Calhoun, Nate Gabriel, Jason McGough and Camyron Underwood.

Pritchard added a punt return for a score in the second quarter, which also saw Sammie Etienne add a touchdown as well giving Auburndale a 56-0 halftime lead.

Auburndale (6-1, 3-0) will take on Davenport in another district contest in Auburndale next Friday.

Lake Gibson 35, Kathleen 7

LAKELAND — The Braves snapped a three-game losing skid with a Class 4S, District 7 win over the rival Red Devils.

Fentrell Graham ran for three first-half touchdowns (60, 30 and 10). Wade Tyer also returned a fumble for a touchdown to lead Lake Gibson to a 28-0 halftime lead.

Jamarkis Harrison’s 4-yard touchdown run made it 35-0 in the third quarter.

“Kathleen will always play us like it’s the Super Bowl because we’re so close to each other,” Lake Gibson head coach Rich Pringle said. “We wanted to make sure that our guys went into it focused for this game. It could’ve ended up being a trap game if they didn’t take it seriously.”

Jaiziah Battle hauled in a 45-yard touchdown catch for Kathleen’s lone score.

Lake Gibson (4-3) will battle Winter Haven next Friday night at home.

Winter Haven 41, Ridge Community 0

WINTER HAVEN — The Blue Devils used a big second quarter to put away the Bolts early at Denison Stadium.

Winter Haven scored 28 second-quarter points and led 35-0 at halftime.

Quan’tavious Callaway scored twice on the ground and Ora Farlow IV, Alfred Smothers, Jatavious Scaife and Josh Petion also found the end zone.

Winter Haven (3-3) will take on rival Lake Region in Eagle Lake on Monday night.

All Saints 46, Berean Christian 0

WINTER HAVEN — Magnus Darrington accounted for six touchdowns as the Saints rolled to a victory at Jahna Field.

Darrington had three rushing touchdowns on 120 yards and threw for three more scores. Tre Bell, Andrew Foppe and Jalen Randall were all recipients of Darrington’s scoring touch.

Foppe also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

All Saints (5-2) will take on Trinity Prep next week at home.

Ambassadors Christian 30, Saints Academy 20

WINTER HAVEN — Ladarius Maxwell had two interceptions and a 70-yard touchdown catch for the Stallions as they picked up their first win of the year.

Jamarcus Gresham also had an interception for Ambassadors, but Gresham took his 98 yards for a touchdown.

Eryk Anglin Jr. and Willie Barber each had touchdown runs for the Stallions.

Ambassadors Christian (1-6) will be on the road next week for a Thursday matchup with Chiles in Tallahassee.

Davenport 40, Lake Region 15

DAVENPORT — The Broncos got a big night from Aiden George in a Class 3S, District 8 victory over the Thunder. George threw two touchdowns to Chris Pruitt and ran for two more in the win.

Ormahd Barabino also had a big night, forcing a safety and then returning the ensuing free kick for a touchdown. Dante Dinoto added a 23-yard field goal for the Broncos.

Davenport (4-3, 2-1) will next take on district foe Auburndale on the road next Friday.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland clinches district title; Mulberry upsets Frostproof and more