Big plays prove costly for Ranch

PUNTA GORDA —Lakewood Ranch needed a win last Friday night to stay atop the playoff picture.

Although, even if Lakewood had knocked off Punta Gorda Charlotte, last year’s Class 4A-District 11 champion, the Mustangs still weren’t guaranteed a spot in the post season. And after 48 minutes of football against the Tarpons, the Mustangs now know where they stand.

Led by senior running back Mike Bellamy and his big playmaking ability, Charlotte scored three second-half touchdowns to defeat Lakewood 36-7. Now for the second straight year, the Mustangs’ playoff hopes hinge on their district game against Palmetto.

“Regardless of what happened tonight, we still had to beat Palmetto no matter what,” Lakewood coach Shawn Trent said. “Even if we won tonight and lost to palmetto, then we’re in a three-way tie, so that doesn’t do us any good either.”

Trailing 15-0 with less than three minutes to play in the first half, Lakewood quarterback Zack Larson found the end zone from two yards out. Seth Browning added the extra point, capping off a seven play, 43-yard drive and pulling within 15-7 heading into the locker room.

But in the second half, big plays continued to daunt the Mustangs. After giving up a 53-yard touchdown run to Bellamy in the first half, the Mustangs defense was exploited once again in the third quarter when Tarpons quarterback Zach Hammond connected with Alex Mut for a 68-yard touchdown with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter.

“The big plays they did have — you’ve got to stop,” Trent said. “You know they’re coming. You just can’t give up the big plays.”

On their ensuing drive, Lakewood turned the ball over on downs but was able to regain possession after forcing the Tarpons to punt. But the game took a scary turn on Lakewood’s next play as Larson collided with linebacker Robert Haynes and defensive lineman Taylor Keith.

The game was delayed for about 20 minutes as Larson and Haynes, who took the brunt of the hit, lay on the field. Larson was able to walk off the field and eventually returned to the game, while Haynes was carted off the field in an ambulance.

Charlotte added a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on a 15-yard run by Bellamy and a 91-yard run by Clyde Newton.

Senior tailback Taryn Laws, who is approaching 1,000 yards on the season, rushed for 100 yards on the night to lead the way for the Mustangs on the ground. Defensively, the Mustangs held Bellamy, who has rushed for 200-plus yards in several games this season, to 120 yards on the ground.

Lakewood will take tomorrow night off and then begin preparing to host Palmetto in its district finale Nov. 5. Last season, the Mustangs came from behind to beat the Tigers and advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The winner of this year’s contest will once again clinch a spot in the post season.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].