Date: September 23, 2009
by: Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Junior kicker Seth Browning drilled a 32-yard game-winning field goal through the uprights with 11 seconds left in the game.

Senior quarterback Reggie Lindsey's 23-yard touchdown pass to Octavious Washington gave the Mustangs a 14-6 lead.

Running back Taryn Laws scored Lakewood's first touchdown on a 2-yard scamper.

Wide receiver Octavious Washington hauled in seven passes for 134 yards for the Mustangs.

Lakewood Ranch kick returner Damen Gilbert helped give the Mustangs solid field position throughout the game.

LEHIGH ACRES — Seth Browning walked off the field in the fourth quarter clutching his helmet in disbelief.

After hooking an extra point off the left goalpost with 7:40 left in the game, the Lakewood Ranch High junior kicker couldn’t help but feel as if he had let his teammates down.

“I was obviously frustrated, but being a kicker you’ve got to forget those things,” Browning said.

Luckily for Browning, he would get the chance to redeem himself. With 11.8 seconds left in the game, Browning drilled a 32-yard field goal, propelling Lakewood to a 23-20 victory over East Lee County High in Lehigh Acres Sept. 17.

“I was nervous a little bit, but when you’re a kicker you want to be able to win games,” Browning said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity.”

Browning’s game-winning field goal was his first field goal attempt in a varsity uniform. But Browning, who has been known to hit 50-yarders in practice, wasn’t worried about the distance as much as he was about getting the kick off.

“I had never been in a situation like that — especially on varsity,” Browning said. “I was just trying to square up, get my alignment right and follow through. I hit it good, but I was still nervous that I was going to hit the goal post.”

After trailing 6-0 in the first quarter, Lakewood running back Taryn Laws found the end zone from two yards out, capping off a 59-yard drive. The Mustangs extended their lead on their next possession when quarterback Reggie Lindsey connected with Octavious Washington for a 23-yard strike and a 14-6 halftime lead.

The Jaguars tied the game on a 46-yard run and a two-point conversion before Lindsey regained the lead on a 3-yard keeper with 7:40 remaining.

East Lee County tied the game with 3:11 left in the game on a 2-yard run by Holland but failed to make the extra point, giving Browning another chance to win the game for the Mustangs.

“I felt comfortable with our kicker; I had no problem with that,” said coach Shawn Trent. “It was the rest of the game that I had a problem with. We played flat, which I think part of that was the big game last week and then the long trip and the short week. I didn’t feel like we really played well, but I’ll take a W right now.”

The Mustangs will return to action tomorrow night when they play host to Ida Baker High for their Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Contact Jen Blanco at jblanco@yourobserver.com.