Oct. 20. 2025
Reported by Alfredo Muente
The Lakewood Spartans defeated the Gibbs Gladiators 28-0 on Friday night. Both south county rivals squared off, looking to get back on track after losses in Week 8. The Spartans (8-1) faced the Gladiators (2-6), entering the contest following their first loss of the year. Gibbs came in on a five-game skid after opening the season 2-0. Last year, Lakewood cruised at home, rushing for 232 yards in a 47-0 win.
Spartans senior quarterback Ayden Wallace, one of the top candidates for Player of the Year, didn’t start this non-district matchup as he nursed a hamstring with a bye week on the horizon. Sophomore Kreg Brown took the snaps early but was replaced by Wallace midway through the second quarter after completing just 2-of-6 passes for 6 yards in the first 18 minutes.
Despite Brown’s passing struggles, Lakewood’s potent ground game struck early. On the second play from scrimmage, running back Khalan Davis broke free for a 50-yard touchdown, giving the Spartans a quick 7-0 lead. Davis added another score four minutes into the second quarter, this time from 8 yards out, extending the lead to 14-0. Davis and fellow back Amir Smith combined for 26 carries and 184 rushing yards.
Lakewood attempted an onside kick after the second touchdown and recovered it, but couldn’t capitalize. Gibbs quickly regained possession after a defensive stop, but then fumbled at their own 36-yard line. Though Lakewood recovered, they were again unable to convert, sending the game to halftime with the Spartans up by two scores.
The Spartans' defense took control early in the third quarter. Just 45 seconds into the half, Lakewood intercepted Gibbs junior quarterback Jordan Calvin — one of three interceptions by the Spartans on the night. That takeaway sparked a 95-yard drive that chewed nearly nine minutes off the clock and ended with a 27-yard touchdown catch by Shrodderick Pritchett.
Eighteen seconds later, senior Malique Harrell picked off another pass and returned it to the Spartans’ 25. On the very next play, Wallace hit Michael Reed in stride for a 28-yard touchdown, giving Lakewood a commanding 28-0 lead.
The final interception of the night was returned 85 yards for what would have been another touchdown, but a penalty nullified the score. Lakewood was forced to punt, and Gibbs had one last chance to avoid the shutout. But a mishandled snap in the final seconds led to a turnover near midfield, sealing the eighth win of the year for the Spartans.
The leading receiver for either team was Gibbs’ 6-foot-8 senior Michael Broxton, who caught four passes for 89 yards — accounting for 71% of the Gladiators' total passing output.
Up Next
The 8-1 Spartans will host the Osceola Kowboys (6-2) from Kissimmee on October 31 in their regular season finale. Gibbs (2-6) travels to Bradenton for a Class 3A-11 district matchup against the Bayshore Bruins (4-4) before returning home to close out the season against Hollins on Halloween night.
