Dragons look to finish strong

The Lake Placid football team enters tonight's final game of the season against Lemon Bay with a chance to accomplish something that hasn't happened in 10 years - finish with a winning record.

The Class 2B Green Dragons are 5-4 overall, and after clinching a winning district record (3-2) in last week's 55-0 rout of Gateway Charter, the players and coaches would like nothing better than to beat the Class 3A Manta Rays to secure a winning season and send the seniors out on a positive note.

"We've had such a great season," said second-year coach Jason Holden. "All the players and coaches have done a great job of preparing each week to play.

"This is a big game for us and it's exciting to be where we are and we would like nothing better than to beat Lemon Bay for a number of reasons."

Lake Placid, which has improved each week, will look to run the ball with the potent 1-2 combination of senior tailback Caleb Jones and senior fullback Navahri Holden.

Jones, who rushed for 219 yards and scored five touchdowns in last week's win over the Griffins, has rushed for more than 1,220 yards and scored 13 touchdowns this season, while Holden, who picks up the tough yardage between the tackles, has gained more than 375 yards for the Green Dragons.

Lake Placid will look to take advantage of its punishing ground game against a talented Lemon Bay team that may be 3-6 on the season, but the losing record is misleading because the Manta Rays have played a very difficult schedule.

"Lemon Bay has a real good football team," Holden said. "They are in a very tough district and their record is not indicative of what kind of team they have. Caleb and Navahri run hard and have had outstanding seasons and I think we can have some success running the ball, but Lemon Bay is well coached and we're going to have be disciplined and play hard to stay with them.

"We want our backs to hit the hole quick and if we execute and stay with our blocks, I think we can break some big plays."

Lemon Bay likes to keep the ball on the ground as well, as the Manta Rays use a variety of formations, including the Double-Wing, the Single-Wing as well as a Full-House backfield.

"Lemon Bay wants to run the ball and their quarterback is great at faking the ball which is important in that kind of offense," said Holden. "They run a lot of traps and counter plays and we're going to have to read out keys and play assignment football.

"They have a good offensive line with good size and their wingback is one of the fastest backs we've seen all season."

Being able to close out the season with a home game is big for Lake Placid as the Green Dragon seniors get one final chance to perform in front of their families and fans.

"This is our last game of the season and the last time our seniors will wear their jerseys," said Holden. "It's been a great season for us, and at the same time it's kind of sad to know this group of seniors, who have been through so much and played a big part in turning this program around, are playing their last game.

"This is an important game because it can put an exclamation point on a winning season or it can raise a doubt about next season."

Green Dragons vs. Manta Rays

Where: Roger Scarborough Field

When: 7:30 tonight

Cost: $5