Lakeland’s Gio LaPeruta (4-10, 101 yards, 21 rushes, 98 yards) came up clutch, throwing for two touchdowns and running for what turned out to be the game-winning score, in the Hornets’ exhilarating 22-20 overtime victory against visiting Carmel on Friday night.
“It means everything to win on the 15th Annual Pink Game,” LaPeruta said. “I grew up going to all the Pink Games. I have seen losses and fans being disappointed after the game and I did not want to leave all of our supporters hanging. It’s a dream come true for sure.”
With 4:01 to go in the opening half, Carmel went for it on fourth-and-5 from the Lakeland 46. LaPeruta (7 tackles, 1 for loss) got the sack, with Scottie Samoyedny (7 tackles, 2 for loss) and Aidan Leonard (2 tackles, 13-yard reception) also in on the pressure. It gave Lakeland a first-and-10 at the Carmel 43.
“The sack on fourth down was all coach (Ryan) Shilling,” LaPeruta said. “He called a blitz for me and told me make a play and my teammates helped me finish the job. It was a very hype play and a momentum switch.”
Four plays later, on a third-and-12 from the Carmel 32, LaPeruta connected with Anthony Ray (4 receptions, 97 yards, 7 tackles) for a 32-yard touchdown pass, with Dylan Vazquez’s PAT giving Lakeland a 7-0 lead with 2:09 to go in the second quarter.
“I know he [Ray] can catch a ball on anyone in the section and there’s no one else I have more trust in to give a shot too then him,” LaPeruta said. “I have been throwing to him since kindergarten, so the connection has always been there. I knew he would come down with the ball and he made and amazing play to put us on the board.”
Carmel tied the game at 7-7 on a 4-yard touchdown run, finishing an 11-play, 69-yard drive on the opening possession of the second half.
Lakeland (5-2) regained the lead when, on a fourth-and-9 from the Carmel 43, LaPeruta faked the punt, rolled to his right and found Ray, who caught it at the Carmel 30, broke a few tackles and went down the sideline for the touchdown. Vazquez’ PAT gave Lakeland a 14-7 advantage with 5:36 to go in the third quarter.
“Coach Shilling told me if you like it throw it, I trust you,” LaPeruta said. “My thought process was we are going to get the first down right now. I rolled out to my right and saw Ray, threw it to him, and he made another great play. I expected to him get tackled but instead he took it for six again.”
Carmel knotted the game at 14-14 on a 3-yard touchdown run up the middle with 1:36 remaining in the third quarter.
After a scoreless fourth quarter, LaPeruta, on a first and goal, scored on an 8-yard touchdown run in overtime, behind the line of left tackle Jaylin Pena, left guard Samoyedny, center Justin Zumbo (3 tackles, 2 for loss, interception), right guard Jack Sand, right tackle Frankie Imbrogno (4 tackles, 1 for loss), and tight end Louis Murray (1 tackle).
“My touchdown in OT came down to just trusting my line and trusting my coaches,” LaPeruta said. “Coach Ray Gualano and coach Frank Girdauskas told me to just run and you will get in. I listened to them, put my head down and got in. I’m just so grateful for this team and the season.”
LaPeruta on the following play ran in the 2-point conversion to the next play to put Lakeland up 22-14.
Carmel answered with a 1-yard touchdown scamper but its attempt to run in the 2-point conversion to tie the game failed, giving Lakeland the win.
Dan Horowitz (6-9, 62 yards), Mike Lucia (5 receptions, 53 yards, 6 tackles), Mike Zumatto (5 rushes, 11 yards, 7 tackles), Chris Spence (5 tackles), and Pat Gibson (tackle for loss) also contributed to the Hornets’ victory, which in all probability gives them the No. 2 seed in the Section 1 Class A playoffs.
Lakeland’s senior night and regular-season finale will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 against Brewster.
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