LAKELAND DREADNAUGHTS
2015: 9-3, 2-1 (7A District 7 Champion)
Last Playoff Appearance: Lost to Viera 24-14 in the Regional Finals
Head Coach: Bill Castle, 395-85 losses entering his 41st season
Key Returners: DT Marshon Brinson, RB A.J. Davis (1616 Rush Yds, 13 TD), DT Avery Edward, WR/FS Larenz Deshazor (LCS transfer), QB Holden Hotchkiss (1660 Pass Yds, 15 TD), DE/TE J’quan Lawrence, OLB Danquarius Longs, CB Damarri Mathis, WR James Robinson (865 Rec Yds, 8 TD)
The Scoop: With almost 30 seniors, veteran leadership is a cornerstone for Lakeland. The Dreadnaughts’ talent at the skill position may not just be the best in Polk county, but the best in the entire Sunshine State. They average almost 33 points per game in 2015 and have a shot at more. WR James Robinson is a 5-star recruit according to Rivals, ranked the 8th best at that position in the class of 2017. Combine him with 4-star RB A.J. Davis and returning QB Holden Hotchkiss, the ‘Naughts offense will be as potent as we’ve seen it in recent years. Castle says their size in the trenches and on defense will be an issue. For leadership they will look to their best returning tackler OLB Danquarius Longs and South Carolina commit CB Damarri Mathis. It is state title or bust for Lakeland in 2016. They play eight home games and only out of Lakeland once.
Quotable: “We won the state in ’86, ’96, and ‘06, maybe ‘16 is our year!” – Bill Castle on a ten year state title drought
2016 Schedule
Game 1: Ed White
Game 2: Auburndale
Game 3: Carol City (Miami)
Game 4: Fort Lauderdale
Game 5: Haines City
Game 6: Bartow
Game 7: George Jenkins
Game 8: @Winter Haven
Game 9: Blanche Ely
Game 10: @ Kathleen
State title or bust.
The Dreadnaught standard year in and year out from the team and from the community.
“They expect us to win it every year and we wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Bill Castle entering his 41st season as Lakeland head coach.
“They expect you to go all the way every year, so if you don’t you’re kinda lettin’ them down,” said senior outside linebacker Danquarius Longs.
It’s been a decade since Lakeland’s brought some bling back to Bryant Stadium. Yes, you read correct- 10 years.
“Yeah, it’s been a long time,” said senior cornerback, South Carolina commit, Damarri Mathis.
“We won the state is ’86, ’96 and ’06, so maybe 16 is our year,” said Castle.
About to begin his 41st season, this maybe be one of the best chance’s Castles ever had at taking state.
“I think this is the most talented team I’ve been on since I’ve been at Lakeland,” said four-star stud back A.J. Davis.
Behind the wheel on the “Drive to December” a team chalk full of almost 30 seniors. They returning starting quarterback Holden Hotchkiss, Davis and five-star wide receiver James Robinson.
“I want to break the record,” said Davis. “The record is 3,000 (3,040) yards in one season and make it to the state championship.”
Castle couldn’t care less about personal stats. Don’t even get him started on stars or rankings. He is enforcing one simple, but serious team guideline:
“Let’s be a team,” said Castle when explaining his team message. “Let’s not care who gets the credit and win one game at a time.”
“On the field, in the classroom, we gotta keep bonding as brothers,” said Robinson. “We keep bonding as brothers, we gonna be alright.”
“I think the senior class can really help our guys out,” said Mathis. “We can really come together and do big things this year.”
Maybe that will include ending a title drought that according to Dreadnaught Nation has last a little too long.