Instant Classic: Clearwater Academy International rallies to edge Lakeland 35-34

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – There’s been countless games played at Bryant Stadium since it opened in 1941, but it’s hard to imagine many better than this one.

Clearwater Academy International overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to deliver head coach Jesse Chinchar his 100th career win with an electric 35-34 come-from-behind win over Class 4S defending state champions Lakeland in a Florida high school football classic Friday.

“I like to always say we are the best second-half team in the country, and I feel like at least tonight, we proved that,” Chinchar said. “Words were said (at halftime), but the bottom line: It is a player’s game and these players stepped up and played a heck of a second half.” 

In a battle that featured a constant barrage of big plays, none was more pivotal than Calum Muldoon’s 24-yard field goal attempt that was blocked by Keyari James and returned 89 yards for a touchdown by C.J. Cresser to give Clearwater Academy the 35-34 lead in the closing minutes.

“When I picked up that ball, and I didn’t think I could pick it up, really, but my teammate pushed me and I just went for the touchdown,” Cresser said. “It feels great to give my coach his 100th win and I am very proud to be a part of it.”

After trailing 27-13 at the half, Cresser also delivered a pick-6 at the 9:43 mark of the third quarter to ignite the CAI rally and narrow the gap to 27-20.

“The kid is a sophomore, and he is going to be a national name,” Chinchar said. “One to remember and it was a hell of a play. Keyari James on the block is one of our best players, our captain, and he made a play when we needed it. I did say at halftime we needed at least two takeaways by the defense and that’s exactly what they did.” 

Lakeland quarterback Zander Smith reeled off three first-half touchdown passes, including an 18-yarder and a 55-yarder to Jayren Dennis and a 31-yarder to Shanard Clower.

“It was a tough loss for us,” Lakeland head coach Marvin Fraizer said. “Clearwater Academy is one of the better teams in the state. They’ve had a lot of close losses, and they don’t have a game where they lost by more than a touchdown.

“In the second half, we just didn’t capitalize. We had three turnovers in the second half and two went for scores.”

Lakeland defensive back Keon Young also exploded with a 79-yard interception for a touchdown with just 36 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Dreadnaughts what appeared to be a commanding 27-10 lead. It was Young’s second interception of the first half.

But Clearwater Academy place-kicker Alessandro Galantini booted a 21-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer to trim down the lead. Galantini was instrumental in the win, also connecting on field goals of 23 and 26 yards.

More explosive plays included a 58-yard touchdown pass from CAI quarterback Joaquin Kavouklis to Dallas Sims in the second quarter, and a 75-yard run up the middle by Antwan Raymond which set up his own 3-yard touchdown plunge to give Clearwater a brief 29-27 lead with 3:01 left in the third quarter.

It lasted just seconds.

Clower returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown – his second score – to put Lakeland right back in front 34-29.

The win was the fourth consecutive for CAI, which had started the season 0-4. It was also the second straight come-from-behind win for the Knights, which rallied for 21 fourth-quarter points last week to turn back Sarasota Riverview 35-33.

“Two weeks in a row we were down two scores at the half, and our kids just keep believing,” Chinchar said. “I’ve been doing this for 10 years and this is one of the most resilient groups I’ve had.”

Lakeland fell to 6-3 and had its five-game winning streak snapped. The Dreadnaughts defense also entered the game having posted 11 consecutive quarters of shutout football.