LAKELAND AT THE TOP OF THE HEAP

The Lakeland High School Drednaughts football team are good...darn good...last season's Florida 5A champions. But NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION!?!?

That's right! Coach Bill Castle's crew was selected for the top of the USA Today Super 25 prep football teams nationwide. A huge bump up from 18th, which is where the 'Naughts ended their undefeated season last year.

LHS has a winning tradition, with 23 consecutive winning seasons, a 60 game regular season winning streak between 1996 and 2001, and four state championships. Among Drednaught alums in the NFL is Carolina Panthers running back Rod "He Hate Me" Smart, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Ronnie Ghent, and former Houston Oilers lineman David Williams.

Congratulations to the hometown 'Naughts, and best wishes on the upcoming season...which begins tomorrow night (unless Katrina interferes) against Naples.