- June 15, 2025
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Scott Paravicini is reaching a critical juncture in his tenure as head coach of the Lakewood Ranch High football team.
Paravicini, a class of 2012 Mustangs linebacker, is entering his third year leading the football program.
Typically, by the third year, head coaches like Paravicini have had time to establish a culture, develop players and become comfortable.
Judging by the past two years, a breakthrough third season isn’t out of the question.
Lakewood Ranch went 4-7 in 2023 and improved to 6-4 in 2024.
After leading the Mustangs to a winning season, Paravicini still has boxes left unchecked, including: a district championship, a regional playoff win, and the team’s first seven-win or better season in the past 20 years.
Paravicini isn’t taking those goals lightly.
“I think we made some good steps in year one and year two, but obviously we’re not where we need to be in some games yet and we need to get more competitive,” Paavicini said. “This spring is a point for us where we strive to get to the next level and continue to change the culture a little bit from where it was.”
Though the Mustangs were competitive in most of their games last season, two district losses — 38-0 to Palmetto and 35-0 to Parrish Community — stand out as results that need to be improved moving forward.
Lakewood Ranch is losing some key players to graduation, such as leading tackler Richard De Paula (145 tackles, 10 for loss) and running back Cullen McRae II (233 yards, seven touchdowns in four games), along with five players who transferred.
Rising juniors Trenton (WR) and Cade Huffman (SS), rising senior left tackle Luke O’Brien, rising senior cornerback Mike Turner and rising senior quarterback Liam Fernandez all have transferred.
However, the Mustangs are still loaded with proven players who have played under Paravicini for two-to-three seasons.
Some of those standouts include rising senior running back Colton Dempsey (1,015 yards, 13 touchdowns), rising senior tight end/wide receiver Cooper Orzell (13 receptions, 193 yards, one touchdown), rising junior cornerback Ka’Marion Jones (six interceptions, five pass breakups) and rising senior cornerback Judah Galessiere (two interceptions, 11 pass breakups).
Of those standouts, Orzell, Jones and rising junior cornerback Jayden Rivers have been practicing on both sides of the ball this spring — a bit of an unusual tactic for a 6A school like Lakewood Ranch, but one that could move the needle.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Orzell said of adding outside linebacker to his skillset. “Obviously it’s going to be a challenge and it’s going to take a lot of work, but I’m up for it and my teammates who are doing it are up for it. This is what we prepare ourselves for.”
Other experienced returners include rising senior receiver Viktor Monoki and rising senior linebacker Aiden Getschow.
However, there are some positions left to be determined, including the team’s starting quarterback following the departure of Fernandez.
Paravicini said the team is trying out different options under center this spring, but would not comment on which players were in the running.
With the direction of the passing game still up in the air, Dempsey could prove essential to keeping the offense on the field. If he lives up to his senior-year goals, that shouldn’t be an issue.
“Senior year, you want to go out with a bang,” Dempsey said. “I would love a record-breaking season. I’d love to break the rushing record here, and touchdowns if that comes too. I know I had a thousand (yards) last year and I think I have to get two thousand this year.”
Paravicini and his staff should have a better idea of how their team will look this fall after Lakewood Ranch’s spring game against George Jenkins at home on May 15 at 6:30 p.m.
