A second straight game against a highly ranked opponent ended in a second straight setback, as Markell Johnson rushed for three first half touchdowns to lead Lakeland (3-0) to a 25-22 home win against Osceola (1-2).
“We dug ourselves into an early hole, fought back, lost the momentum and ultimately the game,” Osceola coach Eric Pinellas said. “For a second straight game we were playing an outstanding opponent and they essentially made one or two more plays than we did. In the whole scope of things, if we take care of our district there’s a good chance we will see these guys again.”
By turning the ball over on downs on their first possession and fumbling on their second, Osceola gave Lakeland a short field twice to start the game and the Dreadnaughts took full advantage as Markell Johnson scored on two short touchdown runs for an early 13-0 advantage.
Osceola finally got on the board midway through the second as David Buggs – who started and played the whole game at quarterback after splitting snaps with Gunner Holland in the first two games – hit Ja’Keem Jackson on a quick screen where Jackson broke a tackle and raced 68 yards for a touchdown. Lakeland would muff the ensuing kickoff and one play later Buggs would again connect with Jackson on a similar pass that Jackson tipped, caught and ran 43-yards for another score to give Osceola a 14-13 lead.
“I really thought we had momentum at the time, especially after we got a quick stop on the very next series,” Pinellas said. “But we failed to take advantage that possession and they would turn a big play in to switch the momentum back.”
After Jackson’s touchdown, Osceola would get a stop, only to see Buggs throw an interception, take the ball back on a fumble but go three and out. A shanked punt set Lakeland up close to midfield and wide receiver Daidre Zipperer would make the play of the game – snagging a sensational over-the-should grab for 51 yards. A roughing the passer penalty would push the ball to the Osceola 7 and three plays later Johnson would run over for his third TD of the half and a 19-14 Lakeland lead.
Lakeland would push the lead to 25-14 in the third, again taking advantage of a Buggs interception, and Larry Jones capped a six-play, 60-yard drive with a touchdown run to make it 25-14.
Osceola would use some razzle-dazzle to get back in the game on its next possession. Taking a pitchout, Taevion Swint would pull up and hit TJ Massey on a 55-yard pass. Two plays later, Swint ran it over from the 8 and a two-point conversion made it 25-22 with a full quarter to play.
The Kowboys would have their chances in the fourth but countered every Lakeland error with one of their own. It started on Lakeland’s first possession of the period where Osceola held and forced a punt, only to lose the ball on a fumble during the return. Lakeland would return the favor three plays later with a fumble that gave Osceola the ball back at the 8:22 mark.
But three plays netted only six yards and Osceola elected to punt with 6:55 remaining from midfield. But under sloppy conditions, the Kowboys would shank a second punt on the day and it traveled just eight yards and gave Lakeland the ball at its own 37. From there, Lakeland ran the ball 11 straight times – picking up three first downs – including a key one on a Johnson five-yard run on a fourth and three play with 2:43 remaining. From there, the Dreadnaughts were able to drain all but the final 28 seconds off the clock.
Buggs finished the game 4-of-13 for 126 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Swint gained 66 hard yards rushing on 22 carries and one score. Jackson had 119 yards and two scores on three receptions.
Lakeland gained 262 yards of total offense.
The road does not get any easier for Osceola. -- the Kowboys must now face Rockledge (4-0) on the road. The Raiders have outscored their opponents 165-7 this season and are ranked #2 in the state in Suburban 3A. It is one of seven regular season games the Kowboys are slated to play against 2021 FHSAA playoff teams.
