The Lakewood Ranch High football team opened its district season with a 22-21 victory over Gulfport Boca Ciega Sept. 21.
Trailing 7-0, Lakewood sophomore quarterback Chad Rex scored on a 2-yard run early in the second quarter. Rex scored again from 2 yards out to tie the game at 14-14 with three minutes left to play in the first half.
Rex connected with Wyatt McLeod for a 50-yard touchdown pass and added a two-point conversion to give the Mustangs a 22-21 lead with eight seconds remaining in the first half. The touchdown would prove to be the final score of the game.
Lakewood returns to non-district action Sept. 28 versus Palmetto.