Lakewood Ranch High football sinks Braden River High, snaps rivalry losing streak

After the final whistle of Lakewood Ranch High football's home game against rival Braden River High, the two teams shook hands, then the Mustangs quickly sprinted to their band and the student section of their crowd. 

They stood shoulder to shoulder, helmets raised, as the band played its victory song. They then sprinted to midfield, where Head Coach Scott Paravicini told his players ho proud he was of their effort Friday night. Then, the Mustangs sprinted to the stadium's northern end zone, where they took a team picture. 

The night was one the Mustangs will remember, and one that the Pirates, who silently walked off the field while Lakewood Ranch celebrated, will want to forget. 

For the first time since 2013, Lakewood Ranch (2-1) defeated Braden River (0-3), and did so in dominant fashion. The Mustangs took early control of the game and never relented in a 41-3 win. The win snapped an eight-game Braden River winning streak in the rivalry; the teams did not play in 2019 or 2020. 

The Mustangs controlled the game with its rushing attack. Lakewood Ranch opened the scoring with a 76-yard touchdown run by sophomore receiver Trenton Huffman on an option pitch from junior quarterback Liam Fernandez in the first quarter. The Pirates would respond with a field goal, but that would be the final time the Braden River offense threatened to score. Meanwhile, the Mustangs kept rolling: Junior running back Colton Dempsey had three touchdown runs, the longest being 43 yards, and senior running back Cullen McRae II had two touchdowns, with a long of seven yards. 

Fernandez did not throw or run for a touchdown, but he made good decisions with the football and helped the offense move down the field. In the second quarter, the Mustangs faced a fourth down with three yards to go from the Pirates' 12 yard line. Fernandez threw a five-yard completion to junior tight end Cooper Orzel to keep the drive alive. Dempsey would score on the ensuing play. 

Meanwhile, the Mustangs defense never let the Pirates offense find a rhythm. Like in the team's week two loss to Sarasota High, Braden River senior quarterback Lucas Despot often had to escape the pocket to have time to throw, and the Pirates' running backs were unable to break any big gains on the ground. 

Lakewood Ranch Head Coach Scott Paravicini said the win is a reflection of the work his players have been doing in practice. He is proud of their effort, he said, but he also has an eye what his team could accomplish in the coming weeks. 

"I told the guys, 'Enjoy it. You have done something that has not been done here in a long time,'" Paravicini said. "But on Monday, we have to be ready to work. The most important game on the schedule is always the next one." 

Braden River Head Coach Jason Grain complimented Lakewood Ranch on a well-executed game. Asked what the team needs to improve going forward, Grain gave a one-word answer: Everything. 

"We're just trying to get better (every day)," Grain said.