Lake Wales coach Tavaris Johnson couldn’t have been happier with how his team played in the Kickoff Classic. Considering his Highlanders avoided the inclement weather that canceled other games around the county and defeated Springstead Treasure Coast, 41-0, at Legion Field, that’s more than understandable.
Lake Wales was a big-play machine with with four scoring plays of 30 yards or more, a 70-yard pass play that set up a score and a 65-yard punt return that was called back because of a penalty.
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More importantly from the standpoint of Johnson was the play of freshman quarterback Kingston Lloyd.
“With the young quarterback, wow, what a night,” Johnson said. “What a start to his high school career. He was really under control. He ran the offense really well tonight, made some really good throws. There were sometimes just flat balls, you got to throw with just a little more accuracy, but it was just a great performance by him offensively. We’re sure we can be explosive. Obviously we got weapons everywhere.”
Lakeland Christian’s Cael Straub (11) fights for extra yardage as Auburndale’s Arnell Thomas tries to make the tackle on Friday night at Bruce Canova Stadium.
Kamari Williams was a big weapon in the running game. He score the game’s first touchdown on a 30-yard run in the first quarter then rushed for another touchdown to make it 27-0 in the third quarter.
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Brayden Scott ran for a 50-yard touchdown to make it 14-0, and the defense also got in the act with Quay Herring’s 80-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 21-0 at halftime.
Assiah Williams scored on a 65-yard screen pass to make it 34-0.
Gabriel LeGrand took a 6-yard hit 70 yards to inside the 10 for another big play.
Kaneilius Purdy had a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown called back because of a penalty, one of two would-be touchdowns by Purdy that were negated.
Backup quarterback Kamari Threatt finished the scoring with his touchdown pass to Claudarius Bell.
“We found some rhythm early,” Johnson said. “We looked really good tonight. I’m really proud of the way we played. It’s a great start to the season. Obviously, Treasure Coast may be down a little bit, so it’s always hard to measure. But we definitely got off to a great start.”
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Lakeland Christian 7, Auburndale 0 (Game called at 4:54 of 1st quarter)
AUBURNDALE — Lakeland Christian and Auburndale got just over half of one quarter of action in, but both teams were reminded about a less. Special teams matter.
A botched snap on a punt by Auburndale gave LCS great field position that set up a score as the Vikings led 7-0 when the game was called after continued lightning delays.
Brody Brenneman 21-yard completion to DJ Howard, an 18-yard completion after a penalty to Cael Straub then capped the 31-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Auburndale was hurt by penalties on its first possession then drove to the LCS 30 when the game was called. On the second drive quarterback Gunner Needham, who had a 10-yard completion to Cameron Cox on the first drive, had a 7-yard completion to Cox on the final play.
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Pat Weir Jr., who ran for 24 yards on the first play of the game — it was brought back 10 yards on a penalty — had a 16-yard run on the second drive.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Big plays send Lake Wales to big victory in Kickoff Classic
