Lake Placid Excited About Return Home

Coming home has been on the minds of Lake Placid head coach Jason Holden and his Green Dragon football team of late.

It's been nearly a month since they've played in front of the home fans, and the Dragons are ready to gaze upon the sea of green and welcome sounds of Roger Scarborough Memorial Field tonight, when they host the Dr. Lennard Longhorns in a Class 2A-District 5 match-up.

"With the two road games and the bye week, we've been a little homesick, and I know the kids are excited about playing in front of the home town fans," Holden said.

Lake Placid plays three of its next four games at home and Holden likes the opposing match-ups and progress he's seen from his kids heading down the stretch.

"These kids aren't packing it in like I've seen many teams do when they're not doing so well late in the season," Holden said. "But I like where we are as a team and we've got a chance if we hold firm to our game plan and play until the end of the whistle."

The Green Dragons are coming off a 49-7 loss to district power Mulberry, where they were unable to get anything going offensively against a mad defensive rush.

This week, Lake Placid is facing a Lennard team that is coming off its worst loss of the season - a 56-0 trouncing by Tampa Tech - and health on defense has been a key reason for the downtrodden season for the Longhorns.

"I know they've lost three starting linebackers this season and they've had a really rough schedule, as they have to play all their non-district games in town against higher classification teams," Holden said. "They've been knocked down pretty good by those tough Tampa teams, but from what I saw on film, they're starting to gel on defense and we've got to be ready to attack any weakness they bring to the table."

Lennard's offensive line couldn't handle Tampa Tech's pass rush, as the defense racked up six sacks for-44 yards, while the Longhorn defense gave up 87 yards and four touchdowns to Tech quarterback Angel Rodriguez and 100 yards on 12 carries to fullback Maruice Hagens, who had little trouble running at will.

Tech averaged a touchdown every four minutes in the first half and totaled more penalty yards (110) than the Longhorns did in total offense (102) for the game.

This should bode well for the Lake Placid running game, which has been sluggish over the past few games. Senior Chevontray Wilson and junior Navarhi Holden could have a chance for a huge game if the offensive line opens up the holes for them.

"The running game is our bread and butter and we've got to establish that from the opening snap," Coach Holden said. "But we've got to come out and play together as a team and limit our turnovers.

"Those are the key areas of the game for us."

Inexperience has hampered the Green Dragon offense this season, as they've totaled just 10 points over the last three games, but Holden says his boys have responded well in practice and they feel more comfortable with five games under their belt.

"It takes time to learn a new offense and get comfortable with each other," Holden said. "I know I keep asking myself if I've done enough to put these kids in the best possible position to win. But I think the biggest chip that has been lifted is the status of the head coach. I'd like to think that the team feels comfortable that I'm going to be here a long time.

"They're going to have to wheel me out of this stadium before I give it up."

Holden has seen the reaction and attitude change more from the student body since he's been the head coach and feels the beginnings of regained pride Lake Placid once boasted in its glory years.

"I get asked all the time from students if I'm coming back next season," Holden said. "My answer is always 'absolutely'. I don't think the students realize the level of commitment it takes from the coaches and the players to put together a winning football team.

"I've got the best opportunity a coach could have and I'm not going to quit on this team and I think they know that."

Green Dragons vs. Longhorns

at Roger Scarborough Memorial Field

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5