Lakewood Ranch High football wants to see growth in 2024

There are plenty of unknowns surrounding the Lakewood Ranch High football team as the 2024 season begins. 

However, the Mustangs believe a successful season is within reach. 

Coming off a 4-7 season in Head Coach Scott Paravicini's debut, Lakewood Ranch graduated 26 seniors from its roster. Many of them, like defensive back Jayden Munoz (46 tackles, six interceptions) and running back/linebacker Simon Freed (884 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, 66 tackles) were key on-field contributors. The team also saw some players transfer, including linebacker Cole Wetherington (67 tackles), who is now at Venice High. 

Despite those losses, Paravicini said he believes the Mustangs have the talent to fill those positions. How fast those players get up to speed — and how often they perform at their best — will determine Lakewood Ranch's ceiling.

"Consistency is going to be big," Paravicini said. "If we can do that and limit the amount of mistakes, and stay ahead of the sticks, that's the test. That will determine if we do it (succeed) or not."  

Photo by Ryan Kohn

The team's biggest offensive strength is its skill position players, particularly its running backs. Senior Cullen McRae will step into a larger role after splitting time with Freed in 2023. Though his reps last season were limited, McRae made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 311 yards on 62 carries (5.0 yards per carry) and scoring two touchdowns.

Paravicini said McRae is the classic "Yes, sir" player who does whatever the coaches ask him to do to the best of his ability. He will be joined in the backfield by Bradenton Christian School transfer Colton Dempsey, a junior who led the Panthers with 628 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season. 

The running backs will carry the offensive load as quarterback Liam Fernandez steps into the starting position. Now a junior, Fernandez was one of four quarterbacks to see reps for the Mustangs in 2023. Of the four, Fernandez's audition was the shortest, yet the most successful. He completed 26 of his 42 passes (61.9%) for 334 yards, including leading his team to a 24-20 win over Bayshore High (4-6) while going 10-of-12 for 152 yards and a touchdown.

Fernandez also ran 14 times for 74 yards, a glimpse at another skill he offers. A key for Lakewood Ranch will be how Fernandez grows in his role. 

Fernandez's top target could be a tight end. Cooper Orzel, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior, is the team's top returning receiver (167 yards). Five of Lakewood Ranch's top receivers from last season graduated. Orzel showed his ability in the team's 41-23 loss to rival Braden River High, catching seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Consistent production close to that performance would be a boon for the Mustangs. Lakewood Ranch also added transfer receivers Carsten Fuller, a 6-foot-1 junior from Sarasota High, and Tommy Bowdre, a 5-foot-9 junior from North Port High, who bring speed and big-play ability. Returning junior receiver Viktor Monoki, 6-foot-1, could also be in line for a larger role. 

The personnel changes are not the only changes coming to the Mustangs' attack. For the first time in his coaching career, Paravicini will take control of his team's offense. Paravicini admitted he was nervous about the transition, but said his knowledge of the defensive side of the game will allow him to see other teams' strengths and weaknesses and exploit them. 

"Hopefully I can adjust," Paravicini said with a slight smile. "We'll see. Time will tell." 

On defense, the unit will be anchored by Richard De Paula, a senior middle linebacker. Though De Paula's on-field experience was limited by other good Mustangs linebackers in past seasons, the 6-foot-1 De Paula showed what he can do in this year's spring game, when he had a sack, a quarterback pressure and five tackles in a 7-0 shutout of George Jenkins High. 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

De Paula will be largely joined by inexperienced players. Paravicini said he is excited for those players to make a name for themselves, particularly the defensive backs. Paravicini said sophomore Jayden Rivers, sophomore Ka'Marion Jones, junior Mike Turner and sophomore Caden Huffman have a chance to make an impact in the secondary right away. 

"They are largely untested at the varsity level, but I'm confident in what they can do," Paravicini said. "They got some good looks in the spring game. They are underestimated at the moment, but I'm excited for them." 

The Mustangs will play a home preseason game against DeSoto County High at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 before kicking off the regular season at home against Lemon Bay High at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23. 

The team is ready for it to begin.

"People are sleeping on us," McRae said. "But that's good. They don't know what's coming."