Seven turnovers tell the tale for unlucky Chamberlain

Lakeland converts miscues into seven TDs to win 49-0.

By JEREMY RASMUSSEN
Published November 19, 2005

TAMPA - Two plays into Friday's Class 5A region semifinal, it appeared as if Chamberlain might give the state's best team a real challenge.

Then reality set in.

After gaining a first down on their second play, a Kylin Robinson run up the middle, the Chiefs were penalized for a false start. Then, on third and long, cornerback Steve Wilks picked off Chris Webb's pass and returned it to the Chiefs 40. The rout was on.

Lakeland (11-0) turned seven Chamberlain turnovers into seven touchdowns, winning 49-0. The Chiefs' season ended at 8-4. Dreadnaughts tailback sensation Chris Rainey had a relatively quiet night, carrying nine times for 115 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Billy Lowe.

Lakeland fullback Jamar Taylor rushed 11 times for 80 yards and scored three touchdowns. Lakeland's defense, meanwhile, notched its second consecutive shutout. The Dreadnaughts beat East Bay 41-0 last week.

"When (the Dreadnaughts) execute on offense, it's like fast motion - like fast-forwarding the film," Chiefs coach Billy Turner said. "They know what they're doing defensively, too. With that 4-3, they really charge. They attack the offense."

Linebacker Rashard Coleman was in the Chiefs' backfield all night, stopping Chamberlain's favorite play, in which Robinson carries off left tackle. Robinson was held to 40 yards on 20 carries.

Even the Lakeland substitutes got in on the fun, as backup lineman Webber Stanis fell on a Robinson fumble in the end zone with five minutes remaining.

What was Turner's opinion of Lakeland's No. 1 ranking in the USA Today national poll?

"There's no such thing as No. 1 in the country. That's mythical newspaper hype," Turner said. "But if I had a vote, I'd vote for them."

[Last modified November 19, 2005, 01:08:18]