28 unanswered points by Lakeland put the Dreadnaughts in the driver's seat for the race to the 7A District 7 championship.
Winter Haven led 23-7 at halftime, but then Lakeland's dynamic playmakers Anthony Davis and James Robinson took over in the second half in the 35-23 victory. The win puts Lakeland one step closer to clinching their Bay Area record 24th consecutive postseason.
4-star RB Davis earned Player of the Game honors with 114 rushing (83 in the second half) and three second-half touchdowns. 4-star WR Robinson's 60-yard punt return on the first play of the fourth quarter would end up being the game-winning touchdown. Holden Hotchkiss finished the night 12-of-17 for 219 yards, including a 72-yd touchdown pass to Willie Baker.
On senior night for the Blue Devils, it was senior QB William Tate that had the Blue Devils clicking on all cylinders in the first half. He rushed for two touchdowns as Winter Haven built a 20-0 lead, which included a fumble recovery in the end zone for a TD by senior A.J. Jackson. Tate finished with 149 passing yards.
Javeon Marlow rushed 19 times for 70 yards, but had a 50-yd TD that would have put the Blue Devils up by nine in the third quarter called back because of a holding penalty. Jerome Arius, Winter Haven's second-leading rusher on the season, was held out of the game because of an ankle injury.
Lakeland (6-1, 2-0) will host Blanche Ely next week, but all eyes will be looking ahead to their rivalry game at Kathleen (3-4, 1-1). A win will clinch Lakeland's third straight district title. Winter Haven (4-2, 1-1) will have their bye week before they travel to Bartow (3-3, 0-2).