‘Loss is on me’: New Green Sea Floyds coach makes no excuses for loss to Lake View

The target on the backs of the Green Sea Floyds Trojans was clear motivation for Lake View, as the Gators capitalized on timely mistakes and controversial calls to stun the two-time defending Class A state champions 28-14 on Monday.

Green Sea Floyds (0-1, 0-1 Region 6-A) came into the season as the top-ranked team in Class A, but faced a litany of changes, from traditional issues like graduations of players and coaches leaving, to the nontraditional issues provided by COVID-19 regulations, that led to a “poorly prepared” team on the field.

“This loss is on me,” said Joey Price, the Trojans’ new head coach. “We weren’t ready to play tonight and Lake View was. Our team has only been together practicing for about three weeks, we missed out on the spring ball and most of summer practice; I’m not making excuses, but that’s an issue we had to face with a new coaching (staff) coming in. I can tell you that our team won’t look like this when we play (Lake View) again (in the playoffs).”

The Gators and Trojans technically kicked off on Friday and suspended the contest with 10:52 on the game clock in the first quarter. After stopping Lake View and forcing a punt, Green Sea Floyds would bully its way into the end zone using its reliable superstar Jaquan Dixon to build the early advantage. Two minutes later, Lake View would put six points on the board, but a suspect kicking game had the Gators attempting two-point conversions all night, the first of which was no good.

In the second quarter, the game plan for the Gators would come to life, as a switch to a Wing-T offense would put Green Sea Floyds’ defense on its heels. Gashing runs by Ja’Correus Ford, Adarrian Dawkins, and Derrick Bethea set up a pair of scores in the frame for the Gators, while the Trojans’ attack couldn’t muster much of anything, accounting for only 59 yards in the quarter.

“Their defense was fast and physical all night,” said Dixon, the Class A back of the year from 2019. “Every time I found a lane, they were right there to contain it; if I tried to cut back, there were white shirts right there. They came out and played aggressive with us and we weren’t able to match that tonight.”

The Trojans weren’t without chances, failing to score at the end of the first half despite great field position and a solid drive moving, then a string of defensive stops led to the game’s most controversial play.

Facing a third down and 14 from its own one-yard line, Lake View would run for five yards, giving its punting team room to operate on fourth down. The Gators kicked the ball, which landed around their own 45-yard line, then, according to the officials, hit Green Sea Floyds’ Aaron Graham and was kicked by Lake View and ricocheted over midfield and was recovered by the Gators. They would go on to score a touchdown and two-point conversion, pushing their advantage to 28-14. Had Price and the Trojans’ sideline had its way, the Trojans would have had the ball on the Lake View 46 trailing 20-14, with an excellent chance to take the lead in the final quarter of play.

“That play doesn’t define the game, but it sure did change it,” Price said to his team after the game.

The loss stings right now, but is just a stepping stone for the Trojans, Price said.

“A loss or a win tonight doesn’t change what we want this season to be,” he said. “We could’ve won tonight and lost the rest of our games and it wouldn’t have mattered. Same thing for (Lake View) if they don’t win another game this one won’t matter at the end. Both programs are looking to make the playoffs at the end of this season. If we can do that, we’ll have a chance for success down the road.”

LV – 6 14 0 8 – 28

GSF – 7 0 7 0 – 14

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

GSF – Jaquan Dixon 1-yard rush (Freddy Seratto kick good) 8:23

LV – Derrick Bethea 58-yard pass to Braxton Dimery (2-point try failed) 6:25

Second Quarter

LV – Derrick Bethea 12-yard pass to Adarrian Dawkins (2-point try failed) 11:44

LV – Adarrian Dawkins 7-yard run (Bethea run for 2-point conversion) 1:28

Third Quarter

GSF – Jaquan Dixon 20-yard run (Seratto kick good) 00:19

Fourth Quarter

LV – Derrick Bethea 44-yard pass to Trey Page (Ja’Correus Ford run for 2-point conversion) 9:28

Statistical Leaders

Passing

LV – Derrick Bethea 4-5-137-3-0

GSF – Aaron Graham 4-7 91-0-0

Rushing

LV – Ja’Correus Ford 21-103

GSF – Jaquan Dixon 18-56 2TDs

Receiving

LV – Braxton Dimery 1-58 TD

GSF – Dan Johnson 1-38