Lakeland High School’s football team made a good case for a half on Friday night that this game could look very different from last year’s season-opening tilt against I.C. Norcom High School when the Cavaliers lost 40-6.

But two big turnovers, poor defense and a sea of penalties took host Lakeland from a 7-7 tie at the break to a 49-14 defeat at the end.

“It was the tale of two halves,” Cavaliers coach Bryan Potts said.

Things started well for Lakeland.

Potts had said if the Greyhounds were passing, that would play to Lakeland’s strength on defense, and senior defensive back Convon’Tra Revell seemed to prove him right within the first few minutes of the game.

Revell snagged an interception and returned it about 30 yards for the first score of the game.

With a mix of passing and rushing, the Greyhounds tied up the game with 5:43 to go in the first quarter, running the ball in from about 10 yards out.

Nothing more was added to the scoreboard until a couple minutes into the second half when Lakeland senior quarterback Miles Goodman looked to complete a pass downfield to around the Norcom 30-yard line. The pass was picked off and returned 70 yards for a touchdown.

On the Cavaliers’ next possession, they made some gains, but penalties ultimately pushed them back to their own 17-yard line. On a run, Goodman fumbled the ball and the Greyhounds recovered at the Lakeland 22.

A few plays later, Norcom scored off a 10-yard pass to make it 21-7 with 5:35 remaining in the third.

“The wheels fell off from there,” Potts said.

The Greyhounds got their running game going in the second half, scoring their next three touchdowns on runs of 56, 10 and 30 yards.

“We’ve got to do a better job of tackling,” Potts said, noting a major problem as Norcom’s small running back darted through and past defenders. “We did a so-so job in the first half.”

Following the 56-yard score, Lakeland sophomore Alajuwun Langston breathed new life into the Cavs with a thrilling kickoff return up the middle of the field for a touchdown.

But the Greyhounds’ 10-yard scoring run came on their next possession, and the ensuing kickoff set up their 30-yarder when they ended up recovering their own short kickoff.

“We can’t beat ourselves,” Potts said.

Many Lakeland penalties choked its own offensive progress and diminished what momentum it had.

“I can promise you it won’t happen next week,” Potts said.

The coach noted the team needs to be more disciplined and took responsibility for its shortcomings that led to penalties.

He also called all his players after the game to make it to a Monday morning practice.

When asked if it was an originally scheduled training session, he said, “It’s one that is needed.”

“We can’t take any days off, so we won’t,” he said.

Lakeland (0-1) hosts Great Bridge High School next Friday night.