De La Salle's Duece Jones-Drew Clinches Epic Win Over Lakeland, 10-6!

De La Salle's Duece Jones-Drew Clinches Epic Win Over Lakeland, 10-6!

The scoreboard flashed with finality as the buzzer sounded, marking a hard-fought battle in high school football between De La Salle from Concord, California, and Lakeland from Florida. On August 29, De La Salle triumphed 10-6 in a thrilling game that showcased grit and strategy, featuring a tense fourth quarter and a stunning performance by junior running back Duece Jones-Drew, son of former NFL star Maurice Jones-Drew.

With De La Salle ranked No. 23 in the Week 1 USA TODAY Sports Super 25, expectations were high. The game was a showcase of defensive prowess, with neither team able to find the end zone for the majority of the match. It wasn’t until just over two minutes remained that Jones-Drew broke the deadlock, scoring the game-winning touchdown on an 8-yard run following a key 38-yard pass from quarterback Brayden Knight to tight end Landon Cook. Before that, De La Salle had been held to a mere field goal late in the first half, giving them a slim 3-0 lead going into halftime, as USA Today High School Sports reports.

A Defensive Standoff

The match was a true defensive showdown, with Lakeland’s standout linebacker Ziggy Riley making waves by scoring the Dreadnaughts‘ only touchdown on a 69-yard fumble return. Earlier, they had taken a brief 6-3 lead thanks to Riley’s defense. However, earlier missed opportunities weighed heavily on Lakeland; their opening drive ended prematurely with a missed 36-yard field goal, and an extra point the following quarter went awry.

As the game progressed, De La Salle’s defense proved formidable, effectively stifling Lakeland’s offense until the fourth quarter. In a bold move that proved decisive, Lakeland’s coach Marvin Frazier opted for a fourth-down conversion rather than settling for a field goal late in the game, a decision assessed as risky as it was strategic. Ultimately, it resulted in a turnover on downs, allowing De La Salle to regain control.

Game Highlights

De La Salle’s ability to capitalize on the game’s critical moments cannot be overstated. Jones-Drew, despite playing every snap at both running back and safety due to team injuries, accumulated a total of 99 yards—78 rushing and 21 receiving—a statistic that accounts for nearly half of the team’s total yardage. His endurance was evidenced by an IV administered to him pre-game to stave off cramping, exemplifying his dedication during this heavyweight clash between two celebrated programs.

De La Salle’s legacy as one of California’s top high school teams is well-known, cemented by their historic 151-game winning streak from 1992 to 2004. Meanwhile, Lakeland is proud of its own record, holding the title for the most state championships in Florida with nine to date. Both programs are led by legendary coaches; De La Salle’s Bob Ladouceur and Lakeland’s Bill Castle, figures who have significantly shaped high school football.

With the final whistle, the Dreadnaughts‘ record now stands at 1-1 for the season, having previously won their opener against Auburndale. They now turn their eyes to their next challenge against Lake Mary on September 5, a team they narrowly defeated in overtime last year. Meanwhile, De La Salle will celebrate this hard-fought victory as they continue to forge their path in the competitive landscape of high school football.

For continuous updates on the game, check out USA Today High School Sports, The Ledger, and Yahoo Sports.