Herald photo by Romeo Guzman. Sophomore Ray Lewis III had a huge game as Lake Mary Prep clinched its first-ever playoff berth.
With Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis Jr. in attendance on Homecoming night, the Lake Mary Prep football clinched its first ever appearance in the FHSAA Playoffs, rallying to defeat Mount Dora Bible, 37-21, in Class 1B-District 4 football action in Lake Mary Friday night.
Ray Lewis III put on a show for his father in all phases of the game, offense, defense and special teams, as the Griffins rallied from a 14-0 deficit to raise their record to 5-3 overall and 2-0 in district play.
The victory, which also broke the school record for wins in a season, sets up a Championship Game for the 1B-4 title at Lake Mary Prep on Friday at 7 p.m. between the Griffins and Orangewood Christian, who will be coming off a bye week with a 2-0 district mark and overall record of 5-4. Both teams are assured of a spot in the regional quarterfinals despite the outcome with the winner getting a home game and the loser having to go on the road in the first round.
After a couple of off games, for him, Lewis III came to life on Friday, rushing for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including one for 60 yards, on 25 carries. With the big night the sophomore also went over 1,000-yards rushing for the season as he now has 1,141 yards on 121 attempts in eight games.
Lewis III also returned a kickoff 78-yards for a touchdown and totaled 11 tackles on defense, including six solo stops.
Quarterback Mitch Lane did not have a great night statistically, running for just 2-positive yards on seven attempts, but one of the carries was a sneak for a touchdown. The sophomore signal-caller also completed just 4-of-8 passes for 51 yards, but one of the completions was a 20-yard touchdown strike to senior Asa Powell, who along with Ofi Amaning was named LMP‘s 2010-11 Homecoming King and Queen at halftime.
Powell also caught another pass for nine yards, while freshman tight end Jacob Kirby caught the other two passes for 28 yards.
It was on defense were Kirby, who also plays linebacker, had a huge night with a team-high 13 tackles, seven solo including one of a loss.
Freshman Samih Otmane chipped in with eight tackles, five solo of which four were for losses; while senior Michael Williams made seven tackles, five solo, three for losses; and Powell also recorded seven tackles, four solo, three for loss.
Sophomore kicker Justin Stimac also had a successful evening, converting three of his four extra point attempts.