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LP Takes On Lemon Bay In Season Closer

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Lake Placid's Conlin Veley (12) will look to break the Green Dragons six-game losing streak in the season finale tonight against Lemon Bay.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: November 9, 2007

LAKE PLACID — With postseason play not an option, the Lake Placid football team hopes to end its season on a positive note.

The Class 2A Green Dragons, who are 2-7 heading into tonight's game against Lemon Bay, are hoping to break a six-game losing streak, while also setting the tone for off-season workouts.

"This is a big game for us and we're as healthy as we've been in a long time," said first-year Lake Placid coach Tim Grant. "We want to win every game, but it would be especially nice if we could send the seniors out with a win. We have a lot of things to work and improve on in the off-season and that starts in the weight room.

"We have to get stronger, and that means pushing ourselves to the limit in the weight room and in our conditioning program. It would be great if we could finish the season strong and begin preparing for next season with a good taste in our mouth."

The Class 3A Manta Rays are 3-6 and have dropped three consecutive games, but Grant expects a solid effort from the home team.

"They've had a tough season and have some running backs banged up," the Green Dragon coach said. "But it's their last home game and we know they'll be fired up to play well for their seniors and in front of their fans.
"We know we're going to have our hands full."

Lemon Bay has shown good diversity on offense, but prefers to keep the ball on the ground.
"They've thrown more the last couple of weeks because they had some injuries to their backs," Grant said. "But they have a good offensive line and will run the ball until we force them to do something else.
"We've had a good week of practice and we just need to read our keys, execute our assignments and tackle well."

Lemon Bay uses a number of defenses, including the 5-3 and 3-5, and Lake Placid will attack through the air with quarterback Conlin Veley, and on the ground with tailback Chevontray Wilson.
Veley, who is healthy after battling a shoulder injury for several weeks, has thrown for 405 yards, with five touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

"Conlin was hurt for a while and couldn't throw the ball properly," Grant said. "But he's healthy now and that makes a big difference in our offense."
Wilson, who is the Heartland's third-leading rusher with 420 yards and one touchdown, provides the Green Dragons with a solid runner, who also has the capability to catch passes out of the backfield.

"Chevontray runs hard and has the speed to score on any play," the LP coach said. "We like to get the ball in his hands in open space because he is a playmaker."
Both squads want to go out a winner, but the team that executes the best and doesn't turn the ball over has the best chance to succeed.

"We want to come out and get off to a good start and set the tone early," Grant said. "We've played a lot of the young guys this season and that will help our development in the future.
"We want to be better prepared for next year and that starts tonight."

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