Flu bug bites Mustangs

LARGO — The Lakewood Ranch High football team prides itself on running the football and controlling the line of scrimmage.

But when illness and injuries knocked out the Mustangs backfield, it forced Lakewood to abandon its game plan. Quickly, the Mustangs realized just how important a single player, or in this case two, can be to its overall success.

With starting running back McKenzie Hathaway, who has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns so far this season, sidelined with flu-like symptoms, Lakewood fell to Largo 42-22 Oct. 28, allowing the host Packers to capture the Class 6A-District 7 title.

Hathaway, who had been battling illness most of the week, started the game but was unable to finish after three first-quarter carries for four yards.

“We knew it was going to be hard without McKenzie,” coach Shawn Trent said. “It hampered us right from the start. I think (Jeren Kowalewski’s) a heck of a quarterback, and he did a great job. But at the same time we’ve got to be able to control the ball, because we’re not always good enough on defense against big-play athletes to stop people all of the time.”

With Hathaway on the sidelines, the Mustangs turned to backup tailback Andre Christiano, but a head injury limited him to just six carries. As a result, Lakewood turned to sophomore Chris Pearcey, who finished with a team-best 33 yards on seven carries.

“Chris did a heck of a job for a young kid,” Trent said. “He took care of the ball, but we can only do what we can do, and when you lose your gun, it’s hard to do stuff.

“I’m proud of the kids,” Trent said. “The kids came back in the second half and fought hard. We had some opportunities and unfortunately we didn’t make some stops defensively when we needed to make some stops. A couple plays here and there, maybe it could’ve been different, but they’ve got a heck of a team.”

Trailing 21-0 in the second quarter, Kowalewski punched the ball in from 1 yard out with 4:08 remaining in the first half, capping off a 12-play, 80-yard drive.

Down by three touchdowns to start the second half, Lakewood recovered an onside kick. Seven plays later Kowawlewski connected with Brandon King for a 16-yard score. Zach Reda hit a 33-yard field goal later in the third quarter to pull the Mustangs within 28-15, but that would be as close as Lakewood would come to a comeback.

Kowawlewski, who threw for 217 yards, connected with King for a 25-yard score with 7:09 remaining in the game. But a 48-yard touchdown run on the first play of Largo’s ensuing possession dashed any hope of a Mustang rally.

King finished with nine catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for Lakewood.

“(Brandon) King’s a heck of player,” Trent said. “He’s had a great season all year. Because of some injuries, he’s kind of gotten thrust into the role of playing both ways. He’s just made play after play after play on both sides of the ball all year long.”

Luckily for the Mustangs, the season isn’t entirely lost. Lakewood (4-4, 3-1 in 6A-7) could still finish as the district runner-up.

Lakewood’s loss coupled with Seminole Osceola’s 14-13 win over St. Petersburg Dixie Hollins means the Mustangs need a win at Osceola this Friday to reach the postseason.

The Mustangs faced a similar scenario last fall when they played host to Palmetto in the district finale for both teams. The Mustangs needed a win to secure a spot in the playoffs for the second-consecutive season, but they ultimately fell short.

Now, in the midst of a new district and with a playoff spot on the line, Lakewood is hoping to get its ground game healthy in time to secure a spot in the postseason.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].