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Big plays, victory excite Spartans

ST. PETERSBURG -- The special teams made some mistakes and the score was not decided until the final minute, but Lakewood coach Brian Bruch saw enough big plays in Friday's 33-28 win over host Northeast to expect big things in the fall.

"This is the first time in my 10 years here that we feel like we can legitimately compete on a state level," Bruch said. "I saw a lot of good things tonight."

Most of the big plays were provided by tailback Marcus Anderson, who helped the Spartans stay in the game with 115 yards rushing. Down 14-7 in the second quarter, Anderson ran 53 yards for a score. The extra point was missed and Lakewood trailed 14-13 at the half.

The Spartans' deficit increased in the third quarter, which was played by the junior varsity squads. The Vikings scored twice thanks to a turnover and a botched punt to take a 28-19 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

With Lakewood's starters back in the game, the rally began.

On the Spartans' first offensive play of the quarter, Anderson hauled in an 85-yard touchdown pass from Pat Carter and Martell Mott ran in the two-point conversion. After forcing Northeast to punt, the Spartans took their first lead when Cortez Rich ran 64 yards for a score.

"Marcus (Anderson) really is the soul of the team," Bruch said. "That catch he had in the fourth quarter was big."

But Anderson and his teammates had to sweat it out in the final two minutes. Another botched punt gave the Vikings good field position and they drove to the Lakewood 13. But three straight incomplete passes sealed the Spartans' victory.

"They beat us," Northeast coach Jerry Austin said. "We had two players run into each on the last play. That was the best hit we had all night."

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