EAST MANATEE — Lake Wales isn’t to be taken lightly. The Highlanders marched into John Kiker Memorial Stadium last Friday and left with a 30-27 double-overtime win over Southeast High in the Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinals.
Today, the Highlanders will take another trip down Interstate 4 en route to Braden River for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in the 3A-Region 3 semifinals.
The Pirates, who are hosting a playoff game for the first time in school history, aren’t walking into the game naive.
“They are a well-coached, balanced football team,” Braden River coach Ed Volz said. “So they are equally effective on offense as they are on defense. Defensively, they are very quick, and they rally to the football.”
Lake Wales (10-1), runner-up in District 9, boasts a quarterback, Justin Shafer, who has passed for 1,999 yards and 20 touchdowns, and running back Rashard Loydd, who has rushed for 650 yards and six touchdowns.
The Highlanders defense has pitched four shutouts this season and is led by outside linebacker Quentin Floyd’s team-high 69 tackles.
On the other hand, Braden River’s offense isn’t shabby.
Senior running back Tevin Bryant leads the Pirates’ ground game with 1,450 yards and 16 touchdowns, and wide receiver Sharrod Neasman-Glover has 25 receptions for 323 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, the Pirates (7-4) are allowing 16.2 points a game.
Braden River players understand that if they stick to their assignments, they have a good chance of advancing to the regional finals for the first time in school history.
“(The Highlanders) have speed and mobility,” Braden River left tackle Dillon Romine said. “We got to use our power and be efficient. We need to put a hat on a hat every play, and not let them loose.”
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