The Lakeland (FL) varsity football team will host Gaither (Tampa, FL) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Lakeland High School. This matchup is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 5A FHSAA Football tournament.
Gaither vs Lakeland High School Football Game Info:
What: Florida High School Football
Who: Gaither vs Lakeland
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:30pm.
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 5A FHSAA Football
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Gaither vs Lakeland
The Lakeland (FL) varsity football team is set to face off against Gaither (Tampa, FL) in a highly anticipated home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Lakeland High School. This game is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 5A FHSAA Football tournament, and it promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with impressive records and strong season performances.
Gaither’s Journey to the Playoffs
The Gaither Cowboys enter the matchup with a 7-4 overall record and a perfect 3-0 district record. Known for their offensive balance, Gaither has accumulated 353 points this season, averaging 32.1 points per game. The Cowboys’ offense is driven by standout players like quarterback Ej Archield Jr., who has thrown for 222.5 passing yards per game, and running back Elija Mason, who contributes 44.7 rushing yards per game.
Gaither’s strengths include a dynamic passing attack, with Archield Jr. leading the way and wide receiver Bryan Hamilton tallying 67.5 receiving yards per game. The team has been solid on defense as well, averaging 43.7 tackles per game and putting pressure on opponents with 4 sacks per game.
Lakeland’s Perfect Season
On the other side, Lakeland has been a dominant force this season, entering the playoffs with a perfect 10-0 record. The Dreadnaughts, who also finished 3-0 in district play, have been impressive on both sides of the ball, averaging 40.0 points per game and allowing just 93 points across the entire season.
Lakeland’s offense is led by quarterback Zander Smith, who has thrown for 91.8 passing yards per game, and wide receiver Shanard Clower, who leads the team with 58.2 receiving yards per game. Running back Jadarius Dobie adds a strong ground game with 63.3 rushing yards per game, helping the Dreadnaughts maintain offensive balance and control of the clock.
Defensively, Lakeland has been suffocating, with 27.6 tackles per game and 1.5 sacks per game. Their defense has been key to their perfect record, consistently keeping opponents out of the end zone and forcing turnovers when needed.
Key Matchup to Watch
The matchup between Gaither’s offensive strength and Lakeland’s dominant defense will be a critical factor in determining the outcome of the game. Gaither will look to exploit their passing game with Archield Jr. and Hamilton, while Lakeland’s defense will aim to shut down the passing attack and force Gaither into difficult situations.
On the offensive side, Lakeland’s Dobie and Smith will look to control the tempo of the game with their balanced attack, while Gaither’s defense will need to step up to slow down the Dreadnaughts’ high-scoring offense.
Conclusion
This 5A FHSAA Football playoff game between Gaither and Lakeland promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams bringing impressive records and top-tier performances to the field. Gaither will look to pull off an upset against the undefeated Lakeland team, but the Dreadnaughts’ perfect season and strong all-around play make them a tough opponent to beat.
Fans can expect an intense and action-packed game, as both teams battle for a spot in the next round of the state championships. The action kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Lakeland High School, and it’s sure to be a thrilling matchup you won’t want to miss!
