By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
The Lakeview football team is dealing with something new – a winning streak.
The Gators worked all summer and in preseason aiming to “get off the list” of Louisiana’s longest high school football losing skids. Starting the season with 27 in a row, Lakeview was second only to the 44 by Plain Dealing. Something had to give when the Gators visited the Lions two Fridays ago and coach Lawrence Seawood Jr.’s team rode home very happy after a 35-0 victory.
Last Friday night, a big crowd gathered in the stands and the tailgating area overlooking the south end zone at The Swamp to watch the LHS homecoming game and festivities. For the second straight contest, the Gators (2-1) took control in the second half and posted a 46-14 win over Magnolia School of Excellence – the first homefield victory since 2023.
“Last week was fun. We showed people how hard we’ve been working over the summer, and what we can do. This homecoming game, we had packed stands, and we haven’t had that in a minute,” said freshman quarterback Jamarcus Rushing. “Now we’re showing our fans what we’re capable of.”
“Two in a row feels good,” agreed Seawood. “I told them this is very important for our community and our fans.”
Brycen Smith scored three touchdowns, two (44 and 49 yards) on passes from Rushing and a third on a punt return. Rushing added a TD throw of 25 yards to Julius Johnson. Other sixers were two Chris Nicholas runs, of 37 and 9 yards, and Davarion Brinzy’s 2-yard rumble.
But it was not without flaws. While the Gators handed the Mariners (0-3) their 21st straight loss and never trailed, they allowed two long returns (80 yards on a punt, 78 on a kickoff) that gave Magnolia its first points of the season.
Said Seawood: “I told the coaches on the sideline, ‘just know, we’re going to be doing a lot of special teams work this week.’”
Lakeview led only 14-8 at halftime, missing on a first-and-goal at the 1 in the first quarter and turning it over at the Mariners’ 20 later in the half.
“It got to a point where it got kind of rocky,” admitted Seawood. “I talked to them at halftime, and said it’s all about going through adversity and how you handle it, and if you capitalize on your opportunities.”
The Gators listened well. They led 26-8 seconds into the final period after Brinzy’s score, and posted 20 points in the final 12 minutes.
There was no zero showing for the opponents’ on the scoreboard at The Swamp, but Seawood said the defense pitched a shutout – and he was right.
“I’ve got to give a big shout out to my defense. They didn’t give up a touchdown last week and they didn’t give up one tonight,” he said. “They gashed us on a couple plays, but didn’t get but we made adjustments and cut it off, attacked the ball better.”
Magnolia’s offense never approached the red zone in a game that started 20 minutes late because bus problems stalled the Mariners. Carrying 15 players, the bus pulled up eight minutes prior to the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff. It did not shake the Gators’ focus.
“They were locked in last week. They were so big on getting off that list, and they really fought hard. They did again,” said Seawood. “I’ve got to give it to my guys.”
Anthony Milner, now part of Magnolia’s coaching staff, spent much of his coaching career in two stints at Lakeview, and was proud for Seawood and company..
“It’s a credit to their coaching staff. I’m glad to see them have success. They really deserve it. Coach Seawood has been through the ringer and has done one heck of a job,” he said. “I’m so happy for him and his guys.”
While blocking and tackling and throwing and catching produced the points, commitment from the players fueled the victories, said Seawood.
“The perseverance aspect is what stands out,” he said. “At Plain Dealing we were trying to find our identity, get it together, and over time we got more comfortable and started running our offense the way we wanted to run it.
“You gotta keep showing up. It may not always be the best situation, may not be what you want it to be, but if the players keep showing up and the coaches are preaching the same things consistently, the buy-in is going to come. I’m getting more of a buy-in and it’s showing out there.”