East County Football Friday: Week 1

Mustangs fall in season opener

The Lakewood Ranch High football team opened its season with a 39-6 loss to Tampa Jesuit Aug. 28. 

The Mustangs, who narrowly fell to the Tigers in double overtime last season, found themselves trailing 13-0 early in the first quarter. Tampa Jesuit scored on its opening possession on Malik Davis' 65-yard touchdown run.

Lakewood turned the ball over on its first two possessions, the second of which set up Tampa Jesuit's second touchdown of the game. Sophomore quarterback Justin Curtis threw his second interception of the game later in the first quarter, which led to a third Tigers touchdown and a 19-0 lead. 

The Mustangs responded, forcing a pair of turnovers in the second quarter. Lakewood running back Justin Fischer found the end zone on a 4 yard carry with 5:59 left in the first half for the Mustangs lone touchdown. 

Tampa Jesuit scored three more touchdowns in the second half to secure the victory. 

Lakewood returns to action Sept. 4 versus Bayshore. 

SCOREBOARD: Week 1: Aug. 28

• Braden River 42, Bayshore 0
• Bishop Verot 35, Cardinal Mooney 31
• Tampa Jesuit 39, Lakewood Ranch 6
• Shorecrest Prep 18, ODA 6 

GAME CHANGER: Raymond Thomas

• Running back
• Braden River High
• Thomas carried the ball nine times for 104 yards to help lead the host Pirates to a 42-0 victory versus Bayshore in their season opener. 

TOP PERFORMERS 

• Cardinal Mooney quarterback Tristan Hillerich threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns. 
• Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman completed 12 of 19 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. 
• Braden River running back Deshaun Fenwick carried the ball 10 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. 

TWITTER TALK 

Here’s what some fans and players were saying following the first week of the season.

“It’s crazy to think that we used to dream of Friday nights like the ones we have now when we were freshmen. #seniorclass

“Show class, have pride and display character. If you do, winning will take care of itself. We did just that.”