Big Plays Propel Lakeland to Second Football Victory

A one-hour lightning delay didn’t keep from getting big plays on offense, defense and special teams. The Eagles used a bit of everything in a 33-6 victory over Waterford Mott Friday night.

A couple of big plays propelled the Eagles (2-1, 1-0 WLAA North) on the first drive before the lightning delay. And those big plays turned out to be the theme of what was a long and at times sloppy contest.

Chuck Sanders scored three touchdowns and Anthony Waite rushed for 119 yards on just five carries in the win.

Lakeland’s speed turned out to be too much on both sides of the ball. “We always have that ability to have a big run or reception,” Waite said. “It didn’t really surprise me. We got some great blocking from our offensive line.”

Waite gained 39 yards on a sweep on the second play of the drive.

The Lakeland running game then bogged down on the next three plays, and faced and 4th and 19 on the Mott 24 when quarterback Casey Palanca hit a well-covered Sanders, who earned the first down by a half yard.

Two plays later Sanders was rewarded on a three-yard off-tackle touchdown run and a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Following the lightning delay Mott (0-3, 0-1) showed some life on offense but kept shooting itself in the foot with turnovers.

Lakeland failed to convert after fumble recoveries from Ross Heiman and Josh Orlando.

On one possession Sanders was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal from the 2, and then Palanca was intercepted in the end zone early in the second quarter on an underthrown fade pass. But Lakeland did right itself quickly three minutes into the second quarter courtesy of a 66-yard punt return from senior co-captain Bobby Schumacher, who was tackled at the Mott two.

One play later Orlando took it in for a 14-0 Lakeland lead. That was extended to 20-0 following a poor Corsair punt and a 31-yard Sanders touchdown run.

Sanders caught a 29-yard touchdown pass midway through the first half but even with a big halftime lead, Lakeland was far from perfect in the first 24 minutes. It committed nine penalties, including procedure, offside and personal foul calls. Palanca threw a pair of interceptions. At times there wasn’t enough push along the interior of the Lakeland offensive line.

“There are a lot of things we need to improve on coming out of this game,” said Lakeland head coach John Maltese. “We have to absolutely cut down on the penalties. That’s just unforced errors and giving the other team free yards.”

Maltese said at times both lines are starting to gel. And he also feels the ability of Waite, Sanders (98 total yards from scrimmage) and Josh Orlando (61 rushing yards on 11 carries) give the Eagles a powerful and diverse running attack.

“All those guys are unselfish too and so is (Palanca),” Maltese said. “We have good depth and versatility at the skill positions.”

Box score

1st quarter – L - Chuck Sanders 3-yard TD run; (Shane Lyons kick), 7-0 Lakeland

2nd quarter – L - Josh Orlando 2-yard TD run (Lyons kick), 14-0 Lakeland L - Sanders 31-yard TD run (kick failed), 20-0 Lakeland L - Sanders 29-yard TD reception from Casey Palanca (Lyons kick), 27-0

3rd quarter - WM - Alex Moore 13-yard TD run (kick failed), 27-6

4th quarter - L – Casey Palanca 1-yard TD run (kick failed), 33-6