Coming into Friday night's 5A playoff game, the South Sumter Raiders appeared to be in a perfect spot. The Raiders were 12-0 on the season and were playing at home as they hosted the Lakewood Spartans from St. Petersburg.

It was Lakewood however that got on the board first in this one. The Spartans had put up 157 points on the scoreboard over the three previous weeks and they were off to another good start as Ryan Davis connected with Darquez Watson on a 20 yard TD pass. The point after was no good and Lakewood was out to a 6-0 lead. South Sumter came back and was threatening, but with first and goal, the Raiders top running back Anderson Faulk lost the handle on the ball at the three yard line. Lakewood recovered to end the South Sumter threat. The Spartans took full advantage as QB Ryan Davis capped off the drive with an 8 yard TD run. The two point conversion was good and Lakewood had a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

South Sumter was 12 & 0 for a reason and they mounted their comeback. QB Levi Sapp completed a 26 yard scoring strike to Jeffrey Kelly and that cut the Lakewood lead to 14-7. Just before half, the Raiders used that same combo again as Sapp connected with Kelly, this time for 13 yards and we we knotted at 14-all. That is where it stood as the teams headed to the intermission.

South Sumter continued their comeback in the third quarter with a little trickery. The Raiders executed the fake punt to perfection as Brandon Anderson broke loose on a 70 yard TD scamper that put South Sumter on top 21-14. The Spartans however answered back on their next possession as Ryan Davis went to Jocqui Ellison in the flats and he took it 67 yards for the score and we were once again tied, 21-21. In the fourth quarter, Lakewood capped off another long drive with a 1 yard Ryan Davis TD dive. Again the point after was no good and Lakewood led 27-21 with about eight minutes to play. South Sumter's last gasp attempt to rally back ended as Levi Sapp's pass is intercepted by Lakewood's Chris Jackson. The Spartans ran out the clock and held on for a 27-21 win over South Sumter, handing the Raiders their first loss of the season. Raiders running back Anderson Faulk, who had 1,271 yards rushing this season and 21 touchdowns, was held scoreless on the night.

South Sumter ends the season 12-1, while Lakewood advances to next week's 5A semifinals as they travel to face Green Cove Springs Clay.