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Green Dragons Search For District Win Against Lennard

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Lake Placid tailback Chevontray Wilson (20) is the third-leading rusher in the Heartland and is looking for a big game against Lennard tonight.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: October 19, 2007

That's what the bye week was for the Lake Placid High School football team.
The Green Dragons were a banged up squad with injuries to several starters after a 57-0 loss to Mulberry two week's ago.

But the time off has given the team a chance to get healthy in preparation for tonight's Class 2A-District 5 game against Lennard.

Lake Placid comes in at 2-4 overall and 0-1 in district play, and a win would get the Green Dragons back in the district playoff hunt.

"This is a big game for us," first-year Lake Placid coach Tim Grant said. "The bye week helped us get some players healthy and we went back and worked on fundamentals and stressed tackling properly.
"We also brought up several kids from junior varsity to give us more depth and we've had a good week of practice and I think we're ready to play."

Lennard, a first-year school, is 0-7 overall and 0-2 in district play, but the record is misleading, since the Longhorns have been in every game and even led in several of the contests.
"We're not underestimating Lennard by any means," Grant said. "They have good athletes and both of their district losses have been close games."

The Longhorns run a spread offense and have the ability to run or throw.
"Lennard's quarterback is quick and prefers to run, but he also has a good arm and can throw pretty well," the Green Dragon coach said. "We have to contain him and keep him from making big plays, and no matter who has the ball, we have to do a better job of tackling."

Lennard uses a 3-5 on defense and has good speed to the ball.
Lake Placid will counter with an offense that has tailback Chevontray Wilson, who is the third-leading rusher in the Heartland with 327 yards and one touchdown.

The Green Dragons can also throw the ball effectively with senior quarterback Conlin Veley, who has completed 28-of-75 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns, along with 12 interceptions.
"We want to control the ball on offense and keep Lennard's offense off the field," Grant said. "We need to sustain our drives and not turn the ball over to be successful."

A win would even Lake Placid's record in the district with three key district games remaining.
"We control our own destiny," Grant said. "If we win the rest of our district games we'll be in the mix for a playoff.
"But we have to start by beating Lennard and that's all we're focused on right now."

Lake Placid vs. Lennard
WHEN: Tonight at 7:30
WHERE: Lennard High School
COST: $5

Lake Placid High School Football Photo Gallery

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