WINTER HAVEN — It was a coming out party for first-year Winter Haven head football coach Corey Boatman and his 15-year-old sophomore running back Jakari Faniel.
But the final score of 44-28 Winter Haven over Lake Region Friday night at Denison Stadium in Winter Haven wasn’t indicative on how competitive this Polk County high school football game really was.
Still, through a mistake-riddled football game from both teams, Boatman was happy on the outcome of going 1-0 despite almost losing his breath and looking like he just had an arduous workout at a local gym when asked about the game.
“Those kids tried to give me a heart attack. They tried to find a way to lose when they could. I’m proud of the kids. They fought hard. We had a lot of errors. We probably had 20 penalties. We used profanities. I didn’t like that at all. Big plays came back because of holding or a penalty. Coach (Lake Region’s Jermain King) did a great job. They play hard and physical. I’m just happy we got that win,” Boatman said after the game.”
Here are four keys to the game.
Winter Haven makes this adjustment after being downFollowing a 14-yard touchdown scamper by Lake Region running back Josiya Wise that eventually put the Thunder up 22-21 after a successful 2-point conversion, Boatman had this simple adjustment: don’t snap the ball over your head off of a freeze count, which happened in the second half, among other penalties. Once this was established, running back Tyberious O'Neil duplicated what Faniel was doing, as he ran for a 68-yard score to eventually make it 29-22 before senior quarterback Kamari Threatt scored on an 8-yard touchdown to make it 36-22.
Winter Haven offensive line helps Faniel run amok, QB makes playsJunior guard Landon Simmmons, junior J’Ron Ham, sophomore Skye Watson and junior Josiah Branco moved mountains for a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter and a 62-yard touchdown in the fourth to make the final score 44-28.
“I want to thank the Man above for the game I had. Me and my guys have been through a lot of adversity throughout the spring and summer. We just came out here and handled business. No talking,” Faniel said.
Threatt was a threat all night, helping to tack on points, as he also ran it in for a 5-yard touchdown early I the first, and had an 8-yard passing touchdown to junior wide receiver Michael Smith to make it 14-7 in the second quarter. He showcased he can escape and make some good throws.
Defense comes up clutchWith Lake Region trying to make a furious comeback, Winter Haven junior linebacker Chris Shakir intercepted senior quarterback Jayden McCutchen, who had a dandy of a game himself.
Lake Region fights hardThe Thunder scored on the first play of the game thanks to a 68-yard kick return touchdown from Trent Copeland to make it 7-0 Lake Region.
Then with the score at 14-14, McCutchen fumbled the snap, stayed with it and scampered in for a 32-yard touchdown to make it 21-14 Winter Haven with 6:02 left in the third. Along with running, the Thunder’s signal-caller proved he could make some accurate throws from the pocket and on the run.
Other Lake Region players who came to play were receivers Xaden Olibrice and Lamar Christie, who both caught the ball in traffic. And receiver Cody Jones made some good blocks for the local school.
“Ultimately, we just got to make some more plays. We got to get some consistency from the offensive line,”King said after the game. …God is good. I’m thankful for the opportunity to coach these kids.”
Other Polk scores and highlightsHaines City 26, Indian Rocks Christian 24
Receiver Blake Herrington hauled in a 30-yard touchdown reception, while runner Nyzaiah Banks managed a 35-yard touchdown run. Dylan Rosario racked up 110 yards rushing, while Deyren Rosa put up two rushing touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.
Hilliard 37, All Saints 13
In a game in which Hilliard had 48 players on the roster compared to All Saints 28 for the team’s first 11-man game, All Saints QB Trey Bellotto threw for two touchdown passes, wide receiver Owen Shoultz caught two touchdowns and receiver Max Dyer caught some nice passes.
Frostproof 28, LeBelle 21
Running back Antwan Cobb tacked on a 43-yard touchdown run, which was the Bulldogs fourth touchdown of the day. Quarterback J’den Plain executed a 1-yard quarterback dive on the team’s second possession. Plain also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hazen Cobb on a quick out; Hobb also ran over a defender in the end zone. Running back Shad Robey mustered up a 21-yard touchdown run up the middle.
Nature Coast Tech 16, Bartow 6
Quarterback Isaiah Hunt threw a touchdown pass to Moscow Shaw for the Yellow Jackets only score.
Cocoa Beach 43, Discovery 0
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven football wins dogfight over Lake Region; Polk scores
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