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Football: Lakewood 40, Pinellas Park 0

The Spartans defense makes a statement, keeping Florida State commit Lawrance Toafili in check.
 
Week 2 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday.
Week 2 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday. [ ALLIE GOULDING | Times ]
Published Aug. 31, 2019

ST. PETERSBURG — Coming into Friday’s matchup with Pinellas Park and Florida State-bound running back Lawrance Toafili, Lakewood made it its mission to slow him down.

The Spartans did more than that, holding Toafili to just 15 yards — including just 2 in the second half — as they rolled past the Patriots (0-2) for their second straight shutout, this time winning 40-0.

“My goal was really to just shut him down,” Lakewood’s Tre’von Riggins said. “I felt disrespected. They said they were going to score 14 on us. When I talk to my brothers, we talk about straight shutouts. We expect a lot more shutouts this year.”

Toafili opened the game with runs of minus-6 and minus-4 yards followed by a reception of minus-1 yard. The game never got any easier as the Spartans hit him in the backfield on nearly every carry.

“When we lined up, I was pointing the plays out and where the ball was going," Riggins said. “I was making him cut back and bounce the whole game. I felt like I got in his head at the kickoff. He smacked his lips when they said they wanted the ball. Once he did that, I already knew I was in his head.”

The defense wasn’t the only highlight for the Spartans (2-0). Senior receiver TJ Tampa twice turned two short passes into touchdowns by making defenders miss.

“I’ve been practicing going full speed in practice, making sure I go through game moves,” Tampa said.

Lakewood coach Cory Moore said Tampa’s athleticism stood out Friday.

“TJ is a phenomenal athlete,” Moore said. “He can move, he can jump. He’s explosive. Tonight he had two catches, two touchdowns. Pretty efficient.”

The game was delayed by more than an hour due to lightning in the area. The elements made for some sloppy play from both sides. Toafili had a fumble in the first half, and Lakewood quarterback Deuce Spann threw two interceptions. His second interception came from Brenyen Scott. Down just 14 points, Scott intercepted the ball in his own and zone and returned it 87 yards before Spann dragged him down from behind.

Moore said that play was a good example of leadership from his quarterback.

“They not only see the touchdowns, but they see the effort of the quarterback laying it out and making it happen,” Moore said. “That’s impressive.”

The defense held the Patriots out of the end zone on the ensuing drive and the rout was on for the Spartans.

With another in-city rival next week, Riggins isn’t shy about his goals.

“Shutout every game,” the Miami commit said. “We take it one game at a time. St. Pete last week, Pinellas Park this week. I don’t even know who we play next week. Gibbs? Another shutout. Our defense has that confidence. We know what we have to do. We’ll get back to the lab and get ready.”