Lakeland's game with Kissimmee Osceola last week had one of the great comebacks that wasn't. Confused? Let's put it a different way. After the Dreadnaughts fell behind, 22-0, they did everything they needed to to come back and win the game - except put the ball in the end zone. Let's start with the defense. In the first half, Osceola dominated Lakeland's defense, moving the ball up and down the field at will. The Kowboys ran 15 plays in the first quarter, and 11 went for at least 5 yards, including six that went for 8 or more yards.

The Dreadnaughts began to tighten up in the second quarter with six of 11 plays going for 3 yards or less, but they still gave up a 10-yard run, a 26-yard run and a 20-yard pass.

In the second half, however, Lakeland allowed just 41 yards and one first down, which came late in the fourth quarter, and stopped Osceola twice on fourth down.

If you told me at halftime that Lakeland's defense would perform like that, I would have predicted a comeback victory for Lakeland. The Dreadnaughts' offense, however, managed only one second-half touchdown. They were stopped on fourth down at the 4, had a touchdown pass dropped at the goal line, and fumbled at the goal line. Including an overthrown pass in the end zone in the first half, Lakeland legitimately had chances to score 35 points. The Kowboys scored every time they had the chance - 22 points, and that was it.

So the Dreadnaughts might remember the 2007 season as one of missed opportunities. In the first Lakeland-Osceola game, a fumble at the goal line cost them the chance to keep their state-record winning streak alive.

But to remember it just like that would be wrong.

It's easy to take for granted that Lakeland would simply continue winning, but this was a different team than the ones that won three consecutive state titles. Although there was a strong core of sophomores that won the 2004 title, that team and each of the last two had experienced seniors to lead the charge each year.

This year, the Dreadnaughts had six seniors starting on offense and seven on defense, but the difference was in the experience: Just three started full-time last year and two more started part-time.

So extending the winning streak to 53 games to set the state record with so many inexperienced players and young players is an accomplishment that should make the Dreadnaughts proud. It was probably unfair to expect them to win a fourth-straight state title.

Eventually, all streaks come to an end, and next year Lakeland goes into the season without the burden of living up to the accomplishments of other teams. The Dreadnaughts will be no more special than any other team in the state.

Despite having to replace at least 14 starters, the Dreadnaughts have a strong core of returning players to build a championship squad around.

Remembering what the 2004-06 squads accomplished won't help them win a state title. But remembering what cost them this season just might - the missed opportunities.