BRADENTON — From the opening kick, Lakewood Ranch High School looked like the first-place team the Mustangs are. And their 4-0 victory against Port Charlotte clinched the District 4A-11 regular-season title.

In the first minute, Mustang captain Jason Ferguson had a shot deflected wide by Pirates goalie Mike Bakogiannis. On the ensuing corner, the ball was again deflected wide for another corner. The tone was set.