Kathleen looks to take frustration out on Lake Gibson

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Their playoff possibilities are anywhere from slim to none. But for Kathleen High, the season is certainly not lost. Two games remain. Playoffs or not, they can still define what the 2009 Red Devils are made of.

As crazy as this may sound, believe it....with wins over Lake Gibson and Lakeland, who needs the FHSAA?? The 2009 Kathleen team would go down as the best ever without playing a post-season game. A tall order, but if the Red Devils can get two wins, those lawsuits and grade scandals would be quickly forgotten.

Truth is, as much as Kathleen wants to play for a state championship, owning the spotlight over the Dreadnaughts in their hometown for a year would be a perfect payoff! Richard Tate could not claim that. Brian Armstrong could not claim that. Now Irving Strickland can.

The first challenge is tomorrow night and our Bright House Sports Network Game of the Week. The Red Devils will host the Lake Gibson Braves, automatic champions in 4A-District 8 by default and a team wanting to prove they don't need forfeits to be crowned a champion.

Kathleen fields one of the area's hottest quarterbacks in Isaac O' Neal, two stud wideouts in Brayun Andrews and Marcus Cunningham and a bonecrushing linebacker in Gionni Paul. Six of the team's eight pre-forfeit wins were by 20 points or more and if they can stay disciplined the next two wins, they have a legitimate shot at beating the Braves and upsetting the Dreadnaughts. With all the negative attention focused on the Red Devils, their touchdown club and the Bartow allegations, look for Kathleen to hit the field with a nothing-to-lose, all or nothing mentality Friday night.

As for Lake Gibson, coach Keith DeMyer is excited about his 6-1 team and even more happy the Braves don't have to deal with Lakeland anymore. They do still play Lakeland but they don't have to compete with them for a playoff spot. For years, Lake Gibson was perhaps the best team not to make the post-season... understandable when your district has Lakeland and Osceola competing in it.

DeMyer admitted to us his longtime friendship with Lakeland's Bill Castle became tested at times. That's because any time a player from either program would transfer, it would be the difference in the Braves making the post-season or not. Now that the Braves are in Class 4A, if they lose a player to Lakeland the impact is not felt nearly as much.

As for the intangibles on the field, Lake Gibson will run the hurry-up offense and will hope to confuse Kathleen. Quarterback Quinshon Odom continues to improve and is getting some major looks from colleges. But the running attack from the Braves is clearly what sets them spart. Shawndell Artis and Remi Watson are a lethal 1-2 punch that should give Kathleen fits. When you break it down, it will be the throwing of Kathleen vs. the ground attack of Lake Gibson.

My choice? Great game by both teams but Kathleen wins 34-21.