Posted on Wed, Oct. 01, 2008

Killian's football players remember Lakeland High School football vividly.

The Cougars heard the sirens blaring, looked up in awe at Thomas W. Bryant's Stadium's JumboTron scoreboard, and watched the ''dreadnaught'' carried out to the field.

Then they went out and lost 24-13 last year in a game that was more competitive than expected.

Killian defensive captain Robert Brown expects things to be different this time.

The Cougars feel they are ready to pull the upset when they take on Lakeland at 7 p.m. Friday.

''A lot of that stuff they do is to get in your head before you even play,'' Brown said. ``We're going to come out of our tunnel through the smoke, then we're gonna use their fireworks at the end.''

South Florida football fans remember Lakeland from its recent championship games against Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. The Dreadnaughts (4-0), ranked No. 13 by USA Today, have lost only twice at home since 1995.

But things are already different at Killian after a 4-0 start that has it ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 6A. The Cougars weren't getting much notoriety even in their own hometown until back-to-back wins against North Miami Beach and Central.

The Cougars are now considered one of the top teams in South Florida.

But a victory against a high school with one of the country's richest football traditions would put Killian on the national radar.

''We know what a tough physical team they are every year up there and we got a taste of that last season,'' Killian coach Steve Smith said. ``These kids are hungry and for them, it's going to be a tremendous opportunity.''

Killian has defied the preseason odds thanks to a defense that has proved this team is more than its star running back Lamar Miller. Smith credits the turnaround to having the chance to work with his team since early spring, an opportunity he did not have his first season at Killian when he was hired in May after leaving Hialeah.

The arrival of defensive coordinator Marcelo Rodriguez, who coached with Smith and in Hollywood Chaminade and Southridge under one of South Florida's winningest coaches, Mark Guandolo, contributed to the quick turnaround.

''He pushes us a lot with our conditioning in practice,'' said senior linebacker Jamal Robinson, who transferred from Palmetto before the season. ``When he first got here, he taught us a lot of different plays and formations.''

``At first, we couldn't believe how much we had to learn. But it's good because if you watch our games, teams can't plan for one type of defense. We throw all kinds of looks at them.''

The Cougars don't have the biggest team in terms of size, but Rodriguez had taught them to be more agile and even the score against bigger offenses.

Brown (6-1, 270) and senior defensive end Jordan Ivey (6-1, 190) have anchored a tough line that has held opposing running backs to only 81 yards per game, most of which came against Central in a 14-12 victory. Robinson (6-2, 215) and Arrington Jenkins (6-3, 215) are each Division I prospects at the linebacker position.

Killian's secondary, however, has become one of the most formidable squads in the state. Senior cornerback Keith Reaser (5-10, 160) has a team-high three interceptions, including a 92-yard return for a touchdown Saturday against Homestead. Junior Richard Leonard (5-10, 160) has blocked two extra points and has a number of key pass deflections, as does seniors Vince Ambrose (5-10, 165) and Demetrius Brown (5-9, 170).

''This is a very receptive, great group of kids that are hungry and humble at the same time,'' said Rodriguez, who along with Smith has coached numerous athletes that have moved on to Division I colleges including University of Miami linebacker Glenn Cook. ``They've quickly learned how to play well in open space, which is must these days with so many athletic quarterbacks running wide open offenses.''