By Ethan Jones
Final Score
Lake Gibson came into its matchup against Tampa Bay Tech looking to make an early statement, but the Braves faced a tough test against one of Florida’s most talented programs. From the opening kickoff, the game was a battle of physicality and momentum as Lake Gibson fought to keep pace with the Titans in a hard-fought showdown where ultimately, they ended up falling short, losing 27-6 and falling to 0-1 to start the season.
For the majority of the game, Lake Gibson’s defense was able to keep the Braves within striking distance, holding Tampa Bay Tech to just six points for much of the contest. Despite the final result, Braves Country continued to show its unwavering support throughout the game. Whether it was a big third-down stop or a big catch, the roar of the crowd could be heard throughout the stadium as fans showed their excitement and support for Lake Gibson.
With that being said, here is the game by the numbers: for rushing yards, Tampa Bay Tech had 115 to Lake Gibson’s 44; passing yards saw Tampa Bay Tech leading with 231 to Lake Gibson’s 170; and for total yards, Tampa Bay Tech amassed 346 to Lake Gibson’s 214.
Here are some of the top performers from Friday night’s game. For Tampa Bay Tech, we have quarterback Martavius Conway who went 16/27 for 231 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions; rushing Kesean Smith had 14 carries for 82 yards; and for receiving, Carlos Lemons had 5 receptions for 113 yards. For Lake Gibson, quarterback Caleb McFarlane went 8/15 for 170 passing yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception; rushing, Tkharis McKinnie had 12 carries for 30 yards; and receiving, Stephen Bell had 7 receptions for 154 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
After the game, I had the opportunity to speak with Lake Gibson head coach Jeff George Jr. about his thoughts on the team’s performance despite the loss. This is what he had to say: “Our kids fought and they fought till the end, and they didn’t lay down. This is a really good team we played. They’re one of the top teams in the state, and you can tell. We couldn’t score and we couldn’t capitalize on the mistakes they made, but you know, that’s what happens in football.”
Mr. George Jr. also discussed what the Braves need to improve on as they prepare for their next matchup against Haines City. “We got to put the ball in the end zone offensively, but we will fix that. Defense played well. Like I said, we cramped up with some guys. We will fix that as well with their bodies, but like I said, we will go back to the drawing board. We’re going to go week by week and worry about Haines City.”
The Lake Gibson Braves will look to rebound from their Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay Tech when they travel to face Haines City. The Hornets are coming off a Week 1 victory over Indian Rocks Christian, winning 26-24.
