CLEARWATER - Last year at about this time, the
Countryside Cougars seemed to be peaking right around the halfway point of the
season. Same old story this year, as the Cougars began a 4 game home stand
Thursday night vs. the team that ended their playoff run in 2005: the Dixie
Hollins Rebels. This was a statement game for the garnet and gold, who
executed magnificently all throughout the contest and rightly earned a
well-fought shutout that began from the opening whistle.
With the Cougars deferring to the second half,
kicker Josh Martinez got the crowd into it right away with a squib kick up to
midfield and recovered by Derek Nagel. The drive would end unsatisfactory
though, as the ball was coughed up at the 4 and recovered by Dixie. The C'Side
defense stood tall, not allowing a first down until well into the second
quarter. On the ensuing possession, the home team would respond in the way of
Maurice Threatts, who tallied a 2 yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead. On the very
next drive, L.D. Crow picked apart the Rebel defense and set up Dawrence
Roberts for another 2 yard score and a 14-0 lead.
The Cougars played a very gritty game,
converting long third downs and a few fourth down situations, only punting
twice during the entire ballgame. As the team faced third and plenty deep in
their opponent's territory, Crow bulleted a perfect spiral to Ryan Messmore,
who hauled it in for 18 yards and a commanding 21-0 edge. Threatts would score
again, this time from the 6, to give Countryside a 28-0 advantage at halftime.
The Cougars looked poised coming out of the
locker room, as they quickly struck with a 55 yard scamper by Threatts, his
third touchdown of the night. On the extra point attempt, the snap was high to
Sarlo and Martinez couldn't connect, but settled instead for a 34-0 romp which
would seal the scoring for the remainder of the game. Back-up QB Ryan Eppes
and company continue to hit the targets and drive downfield against a weary
Rebel defense. With the uplifting win, the Cougars are now (5-0), (1-0) in the
district. Next Friday, it's Homecoming 2006 as Countryside squares off against
the Clearwater Tornadoes for their second Class 5A, District 9 match-up. Game
time is 7:30.
