Green Dragons Take On Crusaders

LAKE PLACID - Time to get down to business.

The preseason games and the time for experimentation is over as the Lake Placid High School football team begins its quest for a Class 2A-District 5 title.

The Green Dragons bring a 2-1 record into tonight's road game against a tough Tampa Catholic squad.

Lake Placid is on a roll with a two-game winning streak, including last week's 47-22 win over Moore Haven.

Senior quarterback Conlin Veley led last week's rout of the Terriers with a career-best 244 passing yards and four touchdowns as the Green Dragons rolled up 432 yards of offense.

Yards and points will be much tougher to come up with against a Tampa Catholic team that brings 2-1 mark into tonight's district opener.

"It's our first district game and the kids are fired up," Lake Placid first-year coach Tim Grant said. "Tampa Catholic has some talented athletes and some big boys and we're going to have our hands full.

"We feel a lack of respect for what we've done so far this season and the kids are looking forward to proving we belong on the same field."

Tampa Catholic runs multiple formations on offense, including the power-I and shotgun with a running quarterback leading the way.

"Tampa Catholic's quarterback can run or throw, but he prefers to run," Grant said. "We have to do a good job of containing him and keeping him in the pocket because he runs real hard.

"It comes down to blocking, tackling and executing and if we do these things we have a chance to come away with a win."

The Crusaders, who have allowed only 21 points, play a 5-3 on defense and boast a lot of team speed that helps them cover the field from sideline to sideline.

"Tampa Catholic has excellent speed and we have to maintain our blocks and execute our offense," the Green Dragon coach said. "Our offense has improved each week and the timing between Conlin and his receivers continues to get better."

Tampa Catholic, which is the defending district champion, suffered its only loss to Clearwater Central Catholic two week's ago by a 15-14 score.

The Crusaders bounced back last week to beat Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 14-6.

"Tampa Catholic is a good football team," Grant said. "We're on the road and its going to be a tough environment, but we're looking forward to the challenge."

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