The Lakeland High School football team’s defense did its job in the fourth quarter on Friday, but the offense could not follow suit.

The visiting Cavaliers led for much of the game against Indian River High School but ultimately fell 19-16.

“It was a tough loss for us,” Lakeland coach Bryan Potts said, citing the opportunities down the stretch.

Twice the Cavs defense came up with big stops late, and the offense could not capitalize.

In one instance, an approximately 40-yard field goal attempt by Lakeland could have tied things up with about six minutes left. While it had the distance, it sailed wide right.

Lakeland had difficulty dealing with the Braves’ defense.

Late in the game, “we couldn’t pick up the blitz quick enough, and they were just able to get some pressure on (Cavaliers quarterback) Miles (Goodman),” Potts said.

The coach said his team took some sacks that it did not need to take and threw some incomplete passes.

Indian River loaded the box to stop senior running back Jordan Stokley, who scored both of Lakeland’s touchdowns from scrimmage on the ground.

Lakeland senior wide receiver Isaiah Williams had a solid game with five receptions for about 65 yards.

But the offense’s errors overshadowed its successes. It gave up six points to the Braves when junior linebacker and former Cavalier Jaquan Yulee caught an interception and returned it about 55 yards for a touchdown.

Lakeland also had a touchdown called back right before halftime due to an illegal chop block.

Defensively, the Cavaliers forced a fumble, recovered by senior Gregory Stephen.

The Braves gave up a safety in the third quarter when a mishandled snap led to their punter taking a knee in the end zone.

Lakeland (1-2) hosts perennial 6A state title contender Oscar Smith High School next Friday night.