Few positive things seemed to happen for Lakeland High School’s football team in the first half of its season opener on Friday night against visiting Woodrow Wilson High School.

After a 16-0 halftime deficit, he home team mounted an impressive rally in the second half to tie things up 16-16 with 3:32 left in regulation. But turnovers sealed Lakeland’s fate as the Presidents prevailed 23-16.

“Our guys, I think they played hard,” said new Cavaliers coach Kevin Knight. “At the end of the day, you have to play four quarters of football.”

Lakeland’s defense had a strong showing, but Knight noted missed tackling led to Wilson’s first score. On fourth and one, the touchdown came on a long run from about midfield early in the first quarter. The Presidents were thwarted on the extra point attempt.

On Lakeland’s ensuing possession, freshman quarterback Tyquan Holloman had a pass deflected and intercepted, his first of three picks on the night. It was returned to the Cavaliers’ 5-yard line, setting up a short rushing touchdown. Wilson got a two-point conversion to make it 14-0 with 6:02 remaining in the first period.

The Cavs did not get far in their next offensive possession, punting it, but the Presidents drove all the way to the Lakeland 4-yard line. They could not convert, however, as the Lakeland defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs.

Two plays later, a Lakeland fumble led to a safety, making it 16-0 with 7:50 remaining in the first half.

Before halftime, Wilson would get the ball at the Cavaliers’ 8 after a botched punt and at their 1-yard line after a fumble, but the visitors would not score.

“Defense, I’m proud of them guys,” Knight said. “We have to build off that, learn from that and continue to play like that. If we continue to play like that, we’ll be fine.”

Lakeland gave the home crowd something to cheer about immediately when the second half began, as junior Alajuwun Langston took the opening kickoff to the Wilson 15.

Shortly thereafter, junior running back Damontra Milteer scored on a 13-yard run.

The extra point kick failed, but the Cavs were on the board 16-6.

In the third quarter, senior defensive back Daquan Boyette intercepted the Presidents’ quarterback and later, Langston forced a fumble that Lakeland recovered, but the Cavaliers’ offense was not able to capitalize on either turnover.

It did, however, capitalize on a fumble recovered to start the fourth quarter, turning it into three points on a 30-yard field goal by junior kicker Adam Worley with 8:40 left in the game.

Next, the Cavs’ defense forced Wilson to punt, and their offense worked quickly. Holloman completed a 26-yard pass to Langston, then freshman Ricardo Ray ran the ball 35 yards to the Presidents’ 7-yard line.

A few players later, Ray scored from two yards out, and Worley’s extra point made it 16-16.

The Lakeland defense helped force a punt, but Holloman threw an interception that was returned approximately 45 yards for the deciding touchdown.

The Cavaliers got one more chance on offense with 24 seconds remaining, starting in Wilson territory, but another interception essentially ended the game.

Ray finished with seven carries for 46 yards and a touchdown, Holloman had five completions for 48 yards and Langston had three receptions for 38 yards.

Lakeland (0-1) visits Western Branch High School next Friday night.