Friday's biggest games: Lakeland's overtime statement, Princeton's thriller and Randle's exit

Lakeland answered in overtime to turn the tables on St. Thomas Aquinas. Princeton survived another shootout with Moeller, while A&M Consolidated sent unbeaten Richmond Randle home in Texas.

From Florida's new pool-play format to elimination games in Ohio, Texas, Tennessee and Alabama, Friday's biggest matchups delivered endings worth revisiting.

#28 Lakeland (FL) 27, St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 24 — overtime

Kelin Hendrix rolled right and found Joseph Howard Jr. in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown, giving Lakeland a 27–24 overtime victory after Aquinas opened the extra period with a 31-yard field goal.

The Dreadnaughts were seconds away from winning in regulation. Hendrix had already run for two touchdowns, and a one-yard touchdown run put Lakeland ahead 21–14 in the fourth quarter. But Aquinas quarterback Jase Watkins scored with 37 seconds left to tie it.

Lakeland's defense recovered four fumbles in the win. The matchup was a rematch of last season's Class 5A final, which Aquinas won 29–0. This time Lakeland had its answer.

The victory opens Florida's Open Division pool play; it does not eliminate Aquinas or send Lakeland straight to the semifinals. The Dreadnaughts visit Chaminade-Madonna next.

#88 Princeton (OH) 40, Moeller (OH) 36

Princeton held off Moeller for the second time this season, winning their Division I regional semifinal 40–36 and earning a meeting with Elder for the Region 4 title.

The Vikings had beaten Moeller 31–24 in August. The rematch was even tighter, but the result was familiar: Princeton came away with a four-point victory and a place in the regional final.