With a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State, Desmond Roland will one day play football on Saturdays in the Big 12 Conference.

Luckily for Lake Highlands, Roland will play Friday nights for the Wildcats in 2010.

Rushing for 222 yards and three touchdowns, Roland came up big in Lake Highlands (1-0) 49-38 victory over Mesquite(0-1) in the season opener for both teams.

The opening minutes were a test of patience for Coach Scott Smith and the Wildcats.

On the game’s opening drive, Mesquite conducted an impressive 80-yard march, much of which came with the running of senior quarterback Jake Lanford, before a five yard touchdown run by Deonte Sims put the Skeeters up 6-0, following a missed PAT.

The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by Anthony Harris deep inside Wildcat territory, giving Mesquite a short field and a chance to extend its early lead. True to their 2009 defensive form, the ‘Cats defense held Mesquite to a field goal that clanked off the upright before bouncing through the goal posts for a 9-0 lead.

Miscues continued to challenge the Wildcats on their next possession, as Mesquite recovered another fumble deep inside Lake Highlands territory. In a pivotal moment of the game,the ‘Cats defense, led by seniors defensive lineman Tré Stewart and Mitch Marzuola, stopped the drive before blocking a 32-yard field goal.

Finally shaking its early game jitters, the ‘Cats began to settle in behind starting sophomore quarterback Michael Ketchmark.

A 28-yard run by Devonte Sunwenghan moved the ball to midfield before penalties forced a third and long situation.

Ketchmark showed poise in the pocket and found Sunwenghan for a 29-yard reception to convert the first down deep inside Skeeter territory. Ketchmark would then hit the 2009 All-District receiver again, this time for a 22-yard touchdown toss which narrowed the Mesquite lead, 9-7.

Following a 35-yard touchdown run by Mesquite’s Michael Jackson, Jr. in the second quarter, Ketchmark, who finished the game 11-16 for 178 yards and two touchdowns, found Sunwenghan for a 79-yard touchdown reception to keep pace with Mesquite, 16-14.

More Wildcats offense soon followed, as Roland bounced outside for a 27-yard scamper to the Skeeter four yard line, before finishing the drive with a touchdown run to end the first half with a 21-16 edge.

Mesquite opened the second half with a 54-yard touchdown run by Lanford and easily scored on the two-point conversion attempt to take a 24-21 lead.

However, it would be the last time the Skeeters would enjoy the lead.