3 takeaways as Atlantic football's ferocious rally falls short at Lakewood
ST. PETERSBURG — Fans in the stands at Lakewood High School saw two different games on Friday night.
The home Spartans roared out to a 28-7 halftime lead, but the Atlantic Eagles refused to give in and had a chance to put together a game-winning score in the final minutes.
Lakewood finally stopped Atlantic in Spartan territory with just over two minutes remaining, denying the Eagles a huge comeback in a 34-28 victory.
“We’ve got to play four quarters,” Atlanta head coach Jamael Stewart said. “We played two. Our boys got hit on the chin early and came out flat. But we can’t win a game playing two quarters, especially against a team like this.”
Corey Reddick returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles (2-2) on the board in a hurry. The rest of the first half was a nightmare with four interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns — and two lost fumbles secured by Lakewood (4-0).
Video Highlights:Atlantic football reigns victorious in Game of the Week matchup with Glades Central
More on the Eagles:Kicker Robert Hammond III thrills for Atlantic Eagles in win over Palm Beach Central
More Preps:Sign up for the Palm Beach County High School Sports newsletter for peek at the week ahead
But Atlantic came out after intermission ready to play, and the game was not decided until a fourth-down pass fell incomplete inside the Lakewood 10 with 2:20 to play.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
1. Balance in the second half
The Eagles played consistently well on both sides of the ball in the third and fourth quarters.
Offensively, they gained nearly 200 yards during that time and put together three scoring drives using the run and the pass. Omari Mitchell ran for two touchdown and Marquis Lymon ran for one.
On defense, four of Lakewood’s five second-half possessions resulted in one first down as Atlantic clamped down hard. The Spartans’ lone offensive success was a drive boosted by a 46-yard run and a penalty later in the red zone.
2. Special teams a big help
In addition to the opening score, Reddick got loose on a punt return for 26 yards to give his team a chance on its final drive starting at the Lakewood 30.
Atlantic benefited from a short punt to start the third quarter at the Spartans’ 38 and scored three plays later.
Lakewood got no help with field position from the Eagles, as Mathew Pierre-Louis put all six of his kickoffs in the end zone and was consistent on punts.
3. Good preparation for district play
Next week starts the games that really count toward the Eagles’ postseason chances, and this was the kind of tuneup Stewart was looking for.
“We wanted this matchup tonight,” Stewart said after telling his players that he considered Lakewood a championship-caliber team and one of the very best on the west coast of the state. “This is what we want — teams that will prepare us for district play and the playoffs. They’re a great, well-coached team. It was a hard-fought game.”