LRHS football program showcases growth with romp in rivalry

As the Lakewood Ranch High band finished its victory song Sept. 6, the student section began to shout. 

"We sunk the ship! We sunk the ship!" 

It's a phrase the crowd had not been able to shout at a football game since 2013, the last time the Mustangs football team beat local rival Braden River High.

Since then, the Pirates have been one of the top programs in Manatee County, even reaching the state final four in 2015 before falling 27-10 to St. Thomas Aquinas High. 

Meanwhile, the Mustangs have been mired in mediocrity. Even when the program finished a season with a winning record, it had not recorded a win over the rival Pirates. 

Until Sept. 6. 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

This year, Lakewood Ranch (2-1) defeated Braden River (0-3) in dominant fashion. The Mustangs took early control of the game and never relented in a 41-3 win, triggering a running clock in the fourth quarter. The win snapped an eight-game Braden River winning streak in the rivalry (the teams did not play in 2019 or 2020).

The result was not unexpected. Lakewood Ranch looked improved in its opening-game 42-18 win over Lemon Bay High (1-1) — a program that won 10 games a season ago — while Braden River is rebuilding under first-year Head Coach Jason Grain. If high school football games had betting lines, Lakewood Ranch would have been the favorite. 

The Mustangs winning by 38 points, however, was statement-making. 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

Under second-year Head Coach Scott Paravicini, Lakewood Ranch has a new attitude. The Mustangs believe they can match any team they play in effort and execution.

There will be games where Lakewood Ranch does not have the athleticism of an opponent, but in that area, too, the program has improved. Just look at what the Mustangs did to the Pirates on the ground. Lakewood Ranch ran for six touchdowns against Braden River, and while a few were of the hard-nosed, goal-line variety, others were long sprints. 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. Junior running back Colton Dempsey would later add a 43-yard touchdown run. 

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. Lakewood Ranch would score on the next play.

Mustangs senior Cullen McRae II, who had two touchdowns against Braden River, said he had the game highlighted on his calendar for months. 

"I have been here for four years waiting for a result like this," McRae said. "I'm glad I got to do it with these boys." 

McRae and his teammates will remember this game. After the final whistle, 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. Then they sprinted to midfield, where Paravicini told his players how proud he was of their effort. Then, the Mustangs sprinted to the stadium's northern end zone, where they took a team picture. 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

McRae said the Mustangs took motivation from the local football community doubting their ability. That doubt, McRae said, has led to Lakewood Ranch developing a new attitude. Forget everyone else, McRae said; the only thing that matters to the Mustangs is that they believe in themselves. 

A few more performances like this, and the community at-large will also believe. 

Paravicini said the win is a reflection of the work his players have been doing in practice. Lakewood Ranch has always been a program full of hard-working kids, he said. That has not changed. Paravicini said these players in particular have stayed true to who they are and fought through all challenges put in front of them. 

He is proud of them, 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." 

The Mustangs will play Southeast High (2-1) on the road at 7 p.m. Sept. 13, in a matchup against former Braden River High Head Coach Curt Bradley. 

For Braden River, it was the third-straight week its offense struggled. Pirates 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. Unlike last week against Sarasota High, the Pirates' defense was unable to keep the team in the game. 

On the positive side, junior receiver Finn Deleo did showcase the ability to make plays, catching a 27-yard pass down the left sideline to set up Braden River's lone field goal and breaking two kicks returns of 40 or more yards. 

After the game, Pirates Head Coach Jason Grain complimented Lakewood Ranch on a well-played game, but he also was disappointed in the Pirates' effort. 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. 

Braden River will have a chance to break into the win column next week. The Pirates will host Bayshore High (0-3) at 7 p.m. Sept. 13.