Mustang D holds strong in preseason win

By Gene Venditti
| 4:00 a.m. August 27, 2010

East County
Sports

LAKEWOOD RANCH — What a way to start the season.

It didn’t matter that a full-fledged monsoon hit the East County — capping off a week of seemingly constant downpours.

A long line of cars stretched along High School Road as parking attendants worked to get Lakewood Ranch’s fans safely into the stadium for the Mustangs’ annual Kickoff Classic against visiting Sarasota Aug. 27.

It also didn’t matter this was only a preseason game. Or that the result wouldn’t show in the standings. Or even that there was no special teams play. Judging from the reaction from Lakewood fans, players and coaches alike: It mattered.

“Rain or shine, when we finally get up to play, everyone wants to rock out,” said Brad McDade, a senior who plays clarinet in the marching band.

In fact, the rain did little to deter Mustang Nation. The loudspeakers blared Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” while the cheerleaders rehearsed. People arrived carrying umbrellas and wearing ponchos. Others brought fleece blankets and small folding chairs.

As Marisa Pfalzgraf, mother of Mustangs senior outside linebacker Scott Pfalzgraf said: “The rain is OK as long as you come prepared.”

Linda Nesselhauf, second-year principal of Lakewood Ranch High, was also in attendance. She said she was glad to see the season kickoff as planned despite the weather, which reminded her of last season’s opening game.

“The team practiced really hard over the summer,” she said. “Even though it doesn’t count in the standings, I think it’s important that we get it (the game) in.”

Like last year, the Mustangs faced Sarasota in their Kickoff Classic Aug. 27 — this year at home. Originally scheduled for a 7:30 start, the game was delayed for more than an hour as officials waited for the lightning to subside. Finally, at 8:40 p.m., the patience of the crowd was rewarded, and the first snap of the season signaled the night was under way.

And the Mustangs didn’t disappoint. Lakewood opened its fall campaign with a touchdown on their opening drive and never relented its lead, posting a 10-7 victory over the Sarasota Sailors.

Quarterback Reggie Lindsey connected with running back Taryn Laws for the touchdown. Seth Browning kicked a 26-yard field goal to close out the second quarter, making it 10-0 at halftime.

But it was the Mustangs’ mighty defense that kept the Sailors at bay. Sarasota’s lone score came with 2:23 left in the fourth quarter, when Sean Hurley connected with Jamison Hinds on a 60-yard pass.

Coach Shawn Trent praised all aspects of his team.

“I thought our offensive line was great,” he said. “They did exactly what we needed them to do. I thought the offense moved the ball well — and it certainly helped we had the ball for most of the time. I’m also proud of the way our defense rose up and stopped Sarasota.”

Lindsey agreed.

“We executed our plays really well,” he said. “We ran the ball well. We’ll definitely take the momentum from tonight’s game and use it for next week.”

Laws praised the play of his O-line.

“You have to give credit to the offensive line – they’ve been practicing all off-season,” he said. “I think we did better than expected. We knew what we wanted to do going into the game, and we were able to execute our plays.”

The Mustangs will open the regular season against the Pirates at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 3.