LAKEWOOD RANCH — The DeSoto County High School football team went into this season knowing they had nowhere to go but up.
In their Kickoff Classic, they took baby steps in the right direction.
Liam Fernandez scored on two long touchdown runs and the Lakewood Ranch defense held the Bulldogs in check — save for one play — as they raced to a 30-0 victory Friday in both teams’ lone tune up before the season.
Fernandez set up the Mustangs first touchdown on a 25-yard run, with Cullen McRae scoring the payoff for a 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs showed some firepower when quarterback Rylan Unruh hit Jesus Garcia-Camacho on a 71-yard catch and run to make it first and goal. However, the Mustang defense stiffened and a bad snap on a 28-yard field goal attempt left DeSoto empty-handed.
Lakewood Ranch capitalized, scoring in just three plays. Fernandez scored on a 52-yard run and later on a 41-yard run in the second quarter to make it 21-0.
The ensuing kickoff was muffed in the end zone for a safety to give the Mustangs two more points. DeSoto’s defense held twice deep in its own territory, one on a Garcia-Camacho pick late in the first half.
Fernandez hit Cooper Orzel with a scoring pass two minutes into the second half to complete the scoring as the Mustangs emptied the bench.
KEY STATS: Fernandez rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns while Colton Dempsey added 119 for Lakewood Ranch. ... Garcia-Camacho had an interception and a 72-yard catch in the first quarter and Larrett Wheeler recovered a fumble for the Bulldogs, both in the red zone.
KEY PLAYS: The first Fernandez touchdown run came just after DeSoto threatened to score. It could have been tied at 7-7, but instead it was 14-0. DeSoto never recovered.
QUICK HITS: The Bulldogs had their bright moments and were able to move the ball better in the second half, especially with Aaron Langley between the tackles. Unruh didn’t do a whole lot, perhaps not wanting to show too much to a future opponent. Special teams disappointed with a missed field goal, several poor punts and a muffed kickoff that ended up a safety. Lakewood Ranch pretty much did what it wanted on the ground in allowing two rushers over the century mark.
QUOTE: “We need to follow the formula of improving from week one to week two. We still have some guys to evaluate that weren’t in the right position. Our job as coaches is to give the kids a chance to be successful with our personnel and scheme.” DeSoto coach Cliff Lohrey.
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