Lakeland High School had half of what it needed on Friday night, but everything was what was required.

The No. 16 Cavaliers trailed only 13-0 at halftime against undefeated host and No. 1-seeded Lake Taylor High School, but Lakeland could not find success offensively and ultimately fell 28-0 in the first round of the Region 4A South playoffs.

“I thought defensively we played very well,” Cavaliers coach Bryan Potts said. “(We) came out and forced three turnovers on them.”

But the offense’s failure to capitalize was key.

“I think in the whole first half, we didn’t have any first downs,” he said.

Potts said the Titans did not do anything that Lakeland did not plan for.

“We put guys in the right position, but ultimately they have to execute the play call,” he said.

Before holding strong, Lakeland’s defense had some struggles early. Potts said miscommunication between defensive backs led to a blown coverage in the first quarter. Lake Taylor scored on a 40- to 45-yard pass play, making it 7-0.

Later, a short Lakeland punt put the Titans in good field position, only about 35 yards from the end zone, and they capitalized to make it 13-0.

“Other than that, we made them earn everything they had,” Potts said.

Cavaliers senior defensive back Convon’Tra Revell caught an interception in the end zone when Lake Taylor attempted a long, 40- to 50-yard pass.

“He was tremendous for us, been tremendous all year,” Potts said.

Lakeland also recovered two fumbles. Freshman linebacker Kory Lawrence caused the first. Junior linebacker Monte Hillard recovered the second.

Drawing praise from Potts were sophomore defensive end Demetrius McKinney and junior rover Deonte Diggs.

Potts was proud that his defense had some success at limiting Lake Taylor’s rushing attack.

“They didn’t really have a whole lot of success running the ball,” he said of the Titans.

He complimented the Titans (11-0) on a good game and highlighted their quarterback, senior Shiheem Johnson.

“Their quarterback was solid. He did a good job protecting the football,” Potts said. “I think he managed the game the way a quarterback’s supposed to manage the game.”

Lakeland finished the season at 3-8, but they returned to the playoffs, which was a primary goal of the year. They also improved on their last encounter with Lake Taylor.

The Cavaliers last made the playoffs in 2012, but were eliminated by the Titans in a 46-7 blowout on a similarly cold night in Norfolk.

“I feel confident that we’re going in the right direction,” Potts said.