2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 39 Lakeland

Team Snapshot **School:** Lakeland (FL) **Head Coach:** Marvin Frazier **Classification:** FHSAA Class 5A, Region 2, District 6 **2025 Finish:** 12–3; FHSAA Class 5A runner-up, losing 29–0 to St. Thomas Aquinas in the state final. 2026 Preview Four straight state-title appearances, but after suffering back-to-back state title defeats to St. Thomas Aquinas, Lakeland is looking to get back over the hump and claim a Florida state title. The offense has is led by QB Kelin Hendrix, who threw for 1,796 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2025. Up front and on the edge, 2027 defenders Santana Harvey and Drew Sapp give Lakeland proven pieces to build around, while 2027 CB Jordan Young is part of the next wave in the secondary. The schedule does not allow for a slow start. Venice arrives in Week 2, American Heritage follows two weeks later, and The First Academy closes the regular season. Lakeland will know exactly where it stands before the bracket begins. Key Players **Kelin Hendrix:** QB, 2027 — threw for 1,796 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2025. **Santana Harvey:** EDGE, 2027 - Clemson commit **Jordan Young:** CB, 2027 - Pitt commit **Drew Sapp: EDGE:** 2027 - Colorado commit **Dominick Harris-Payne:** CB, 2027 - Offers from Florida, UCF, Miami, Alabama, Notre Dame, among others. **Cameron Fuse:** WR, 2028 - Offers from Miami, Florida State, Auburn, among others. **Deonte Fielder:** DB, 2027 - Marshall commit 2026 Schedule **August 21:** at Kathleen **September 4:** Venice **September 11:** at Osceola **September 18:** American Heritage **September 25:** at Auburndale **October 2:** SFA (FL) **October 9:** at Sebring **October 16:** at Bartow **October 22:** Lake Gibson **October 30:** The First Academy T25PS Prediction **Prediction:** 8-2. Venice, American Heritage and The First Academy are the regular-season games most likely to decide whether Lakeland has a chance at the newly formed Open division playoffs. I think they drop the first two, but beat TFA. **Playoffs:** 5A State Champions. The Dreadnaughts will be a major beneficiary to the new Open division (depending on how you look at it) with St. Thomas Aquinas being one of the favorites to reach the top 8, it should leave Lakeland as the favorites heading into 5A once the playoff brackets are determined. Conclusion Lakeland does not need a rebuild. It needs Hendrix to take the next step and the new defensive leaders to match the level set by the last four teams. If that happens, another deep November run is the expectation, not the ceiling. Thanks for reading, Alex | T25PS **Reach high school football audiences across the T25PS Media Portfolio.** Put your brand alongside national public-school football coverage on [T25PS.com](http://T25PS.com), Pennsylvania coverage on The PA Today App, and Georgia / coaching news coverage at [FiredCoaches.org](http://FiredCoaches.org). From one-brand placements to tailored portfolio partnerships, we can shape a sponsorship around the market and audience that matter most to your business. [Click here](https://t25ps.com/about) to find out more and discuss what options best suit your business.

2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 39 Lakeland

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2026 Preview

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