The Lakeland (FL) varsity football team is playing against Tampa Bay Tech (Tampa, FL) in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships, in the 5A classification.

Lakeland vs Tampa Bay Tech Game Info:

What:  Florida High School Football Playoffs
Who: Lakeland vs Tampa Bay Tech
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 5A FHSAA Football
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Lakeland vs Tampa Bay Tech

The upcoming football matchup between Tampa Bay Tech and Lakeland promises to be an exciting battle, showcasing two of the top teams in Florida’s 2024-2025 season. Both teams have enjoyed outstanding performances this season, with impressive win-loss records and dominating playstyles.

Tampa Bay Tech (9-2)

Tampa Bay Tech enters this game with a strong overall record of 9-2, remaining undefeated in district play at 3-0. The team has been dominant at home, with a perfect 5-0 record, while they’ve been solid on the road, posting a 4-2 record away from home. Their offensive unit has been one of the most potent in the area, averaging 39.5 points per game. With a balanced attack, the Titans have posted impressive yardage numbers, including 208.4 rushing yards per game and 172.5 passing yards per game.

Leading the way for Tampa Bay Tech is Javari Barnett, who has rushed for an average of 83.0 yards per game, and Darryon Jones, who has contributed with 147.0 passing yards per game. Jones also leads the team in total yards with 180.6 per game. On defense, the Titans have been effective, particularly with Hunter Tukaufu leading the team with 9.0 tackles per game.

Lakeland (11-0)

Lakeland, however, comes into the matchup as one of the most impressive teams in the state. The Dreadnaughts are undefeated with an 11-0 record, dominating both in district play and in non-league games. Lakeland’s offense is potent, averaging 40.1 points per game, led by a strong rushing attack and a solid passing game. Zander Smith has been a standout player, posting 91.8 passing yards per game, while Shanard Clower leads the team in receiving with 55.6 yards per game.

Lakeland’s defense has been nothing short of spectacular, holding opponents to just 106 points throughout the season. On defense, Jhaden Williams leads the team with 6.4 tackles per game, while Cooper Martin has been a disruptive force, averaging 1.0 sack per game.

Statistical Comparison

When comparing the two teams’ statistical averages, it’s clear that both teams are balanced on offense and defense:

• Tampa Bay Tech averages 208.4 rushing yards per game compared to Lakeland’s 168.0, but the Dreadnaughts make up for it with a more efficient passing game (118.5 yards per game) versus Tampa Bay Tech’s 172.5 passing yards.
• Defensively, Tampa Bay Tech averages 53.7 tackles per game, while Lakeland posts a strong 25.1 tackles per game, reflecting a more aggressive approach in getting after the quarterback and stopping plays at the line of scrimmage.
• Both teams have been exceptional in scoring, with Lakeland averaging 40.1 points per game and Tampa Bay Tech averaging 39.5 points per game, showcasing their ability to put up significant numbers.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, and both have been successful in those matchups:

• Tampa Bay Tech has posted wins against Gaither (28-7), Spoto (42-7), and Sebring (35-14).
• Lakeland has also beaten Gaither (41-13), Spoto (51-6), and Sebring (22-12), showing their consistency against common competition.

This head-to-head comparison demonstrates that while Lakeland remains undefeated, Tampa Bay Tech has been equally dominant in their victories. The game will be an exciting test for both squads, as the Dreadnaughts’ undefeated record will be on the line against a Titan team looking to upset the odds.

Conclusion

This game promises to be a clash of two powerhouse teams in Florida high school football. Tampa Bay Tech has a balanced offense and a solid defense, while Lakeland has been dominant on both sides of the ball, making it clear that this matchup will come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively. With both teams entering the game with confidence, football fans can expect a thrilling showdown that could have playoff implications for both teams.

As the season heads into its final stretch, this matchup is one that fans won’t want to miss.