Mustangs clinch playoff berth

The Lakewood Ranch High football team is headed back to the playoffs after defeating Seminole Osceola 35-28 in the Class 6A-District 7 finale for both teams.

With the win, the Mustangs finish the season as the district runner-up and clinch a spot in the postseason for the first time in two years.

Lakewood took an early 7-0 lead on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jeren Kowalewski.

The Mustangs took a 14-13 lead midway through the second quarter on a 29-yard run by McKenzie Hathaway. Kowalewski later connected with tight end Greg Funk for a 5-yard score to tie the game at 21-21 heading into the locker room.

Hathaway found the end zone twice in the second half, scoring from five yards out with seven minutes to play in the third quarter to tie the game at 28-28; and again from five yards out with six minutes to play in the fourth quarter to give Lakewood a 35-28 lead.

Lakewood will close out its regular season at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 versus Manatee before hitting the road for a regional quarterfinal Nov. 18.