Football preview: No. 3 Lakewood

Lakewood

At a glance

Coach: Cory Moore,  13th season

Class: 4A, Region 3

Last season: 8-1, lost in region semifinals

Key players: SS/CB Camari Berry, Sr.;QB Anthony Colandrea, Jr.; WR Terrell Crosby, Sr.; SS/FS Ramon Davis, Sr.; DB Mike Evans, Sr.; OL Isaiah Johnson, Jr.; OLB Montravius Lloyd, Jr.; ATH Amari Niblack, Sr.; DL Isaiah Nixon, Jr.; DT/TE Pharee Reed, Sr.

Schedule

Aug. 27 d. Boca Ciega 27-12

Sept. 3 at Palmetto, 7:30

Sept. 10 at Gibbs, 7

Sept. 17 vs. Delray Beach Atlantic, 7

Sept. 24 vs. Lakeland Kathleen, 7

Oct. 1 at Largo, 7

Oct. 8 vs. East Lake, 7

Oct. 15 vs. Wauchula Hardee, 7

Oct. 22 at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, 7

Oct. 29 Bye

Nov. 5 vs. Lakeland, 7

Outlook

Once again, the Spartans are loaded with playmakers. Amari Niblack (Alabama) and Terrell Crosby (Toledo) are college-bound prospects who headline a talented receiving corps. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who has an offer from Kentucky, among others, transferred from Clearwater Central Catholic. In the spring, Colandrea threw for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns and followed that up by throwing for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason jamboree two weeks ago. The offense will have plenty of balance. Montravious Lloyd is an electrifying running back who showed he has a knack for the end zone in last week’s season-opening win over Boca Ciega. The junior rushed for 137 yards and scored all four of Lakewood’s touchdowns on 17 carries. The defense is aggressive — and opportunistic. With the potential for another strong playoff push, the Spartans put together a regular season schedule that will prepare them for the postseason. Lakewood has games defending 3A state champion Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, defending state semifinalist Palmetto and defending region semifinalist Lakeland.