Polk County roundup and look ahead

Some decisive games are on tap this week

LAKE WALES, FLORIDA – It’s not just two huge rivalry games. District championships and automatic playoff berths are riding in the balance.

Undefeated Lake Wales – ranked No. 3 in SBLive Sports Florida Football Power 25 rankings – travels to Auburndale (5-2, 4-0) Friday with the 3A District 8 championship going to the winner.

Meanwhile on the southside of Polk County, Frostproof (7-1, 3-0) hosts arch-rival Fort Meade (6-2, 3-0) Friday at Faris Brannen Stadium with the 2S District 13 title hanging in the balance.

“This rivalry has taken itself to a new level I think because of the implications,” Frostproof coach Rod McDowell said. ”But we have to focus on the game since it is 48 minutes. We can’t focus on them, we have to focus on what we do. That has to be our mindset.”

Automatic berths in the FHSAA regional quarterfinals go to the winners in both showdowns.

“We treat each week like it is the Super Bowl. They are excited and pumped, especially for this one,” Lake Wales head coach Tavaris Johnson said.

Last year, Auburndale edged Lake Wales 14-8 after late-game rally by Lake Wales died in the red zone when the Bloodhounds defense pounced on a Trent Grotjan fumble out of a shotgun snap and snatched the district title with it.“

They want revenge. They want payback,” said Johnson, who admits his team has talked about this game all year long. “It is all I have heard in the locker room. These guys are talking about wanting to bring pressure.

"Last year, it really hurt them. Coming down to the last play of the game, you just don’t forget games like that. It’s been in their heads all year long. I’ve heard ‘Auburndale’ since the beginning of the summer.”

Excelling in all three areas of the game – offense, defense and special teams – there’s no lack of complimentary football where the Highlanders are concerned. Lake Wales has scored 333 points this season while only surrendering a minuscule 34 across eight games and posting four shutouts.

“Our defense is swarming. They believe in each other,” Johnson said. “They are aggressive and hungry. I have to turn guys away from special (teams) and kickoffs. They believe in it and they know. They play with grit. It’s what we have preached all year.”

Auburndale also has four shutouts – including three in their past three games. During that three-game span, the Bloodhounds have outscored opponents 131-0.

“I don’t know if this is the biggest game in the four years I have been here, but it certainly is the biggest game this season because it is the district championship,” Auburndale coach Kyles Sasser said.“Last year was pretty big for us. The roles are kind of flipped now. The expectations were kind of high for us last year. Now we have a whole bunch of new guys.”

Sasser said he believes the game will be determined on special teams and big plays because both defenses are pretty solid and both offenses are similar yet a bit different.

“They have players all over the place, but so do we. I think the rosters are a big part of it. They have guys that can run, throw and guys that can tackle. They have some solid prospects, but so do we. We have guys kind of waiting to showcase what they can do. Our defense has held teams in a lot of different ways,” he said.

Auburndale rolled off its third-consecutive shutout Friday, blasting Davenport 27-0. The Bloodhounds scored on touchdown runs of 65 and 12 yards from Dayrel Glover, a 6-yard run from Ja’tavious Scaife and a 29-yard touchdown reception to Jameson Young from Amari Turner.

Auburndale fourth-year head coach Kyle Sasser talks to an official during a 4S District game with Lake Region on Monday at Bruce Canova Stadium in Auburndale. The Bloodhounds will look to defend their district title against undefeated Lake Wales Friday / Photo by Bill Kemp

Lake Wales (8-0, 4-0) annihilated Kissimmee Liberty 69-0 on Friday. Grotjan was 7-of-8 passing for 134 yards with five touchdowns, including two of them to Xavier Marlow on throws of 55 and 15 yards. Carlos Mitchell hauled in a 20-yard touchdown reception, Diyantae Landrum scored on a 12-yard catch and Duel Smith scored on a 55-yarder.

Additionally, Mitchell returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown and Philipp Davis returned a 35-yarder for another score. Assiah Williams scored on a 33-yard run and Mauricio Alvarez kicked field goals of 33 and 27 yards while going 9-of-9 on PATs.

Frostproof routed Discovery 56-16 after getting three rushing touchdowns from Donovan Solomon, who ran for 122 yards on just five carries. He also caught three passes for 59 yards and one touchdown.

Bulldogs senior quarterback Nathan Jenkins was 5-of-8 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed four times for 36 yards and another score. Eddie Gammage scored on a 9-yard run.

McDowell said he would not be surprised if there is a lot of extra adrenaline circulating in the hallways and locker room this week as the annual showdown with Fort Meade looms closer.

“I think this year there will be,” McDowell said. “You’re going for the district championship and I’m not sure how long it’s been since Frostproof has been in a district and gone for that championship. It’s been some time just because of the way the FHSAA has done (districts).“It is winner take all. Based on the playoff rankings, I am guessing both of us are pretty much locks for the playoffs. But in terms of the district, obviously we would like to go in as district champion. Of course, Fort Meade wants the same thing.”

Fort Meade shut out Tenoroc 35-0 after quarterback Carson Montsdeoca fired four touchdown passes, two to Josh Porter, and one each to R.J. Cabrera and Markell Baker. Jamarion Davis rushed for one touchdown to cap the Miners offense.

“They have a lot of talent all over the field,” McDowell said. “Their quarterback is playing at a very high level. They have some targets on the outside that are very talented. We have to come out and play our best game of the season.”

More Polk County scores

Palmetto 23, Lake Gibson 8

Santa Fe 38, Legacy 14

Calvary Christian 41, Lakeland Christian 14

Mulberry 37, Bayshore 0

Lake Region 28, Gateway 6

Zephyrhills 48, Kathleeen 0

John Carroll 48, Victory 20