CSide vs. East Lake Eagles

CLEARWATER - With the Dunedin Falcons already having captured the Class 5A, District 9 title for the second straight year, it was up to Friday night's game between the East Lake Eagles and the Countryside Cougars to determine who would join the Falcons in the post-season beginning November 16. It was simple; the winner advanced, and the loser would play its final game of 2007 next week. Everything was on the line on a windy evening at Cougar Field on Senior Night for the right to play the District 10 champion on the road.

Turnovers were the name of the game, and the home team made way too many. All the trouble started when Jimbo Chmelik was intercepted by Micah Powell on a deflected pass intended for Martavious Jones which was returned 53 yards to the 2 which would set up Eagles quarterback Blake Robles to pound it in from the 1 on fourth and goal and a 7-0 lead after the first quarter. On the Cougars next possession, Pete Kontodiakis had a punt blocked at the goal line and on the very next play, Robles would again dive in for a 1 yard touchdown and a 14-0 advantage. Dare we say it a third time? Jimbo would be picked off again as East Lake set themselves up inside the 5 and Robles would score again from the 1 two plays later to give the visitors a commanding 21-0 lead. Late in the second, William Griswold missed a 39 yard field goal, but a roughing the passer penalty gave the garnet and gold a first down and would benefit from the flag as Dan Spisak caught an 11 yard TD with 0:08 seconds remaining in the half to cut the lead to 21-7 at halftime.

Countryside came out in the third determined and would make it a one score game when Jimbo's checkdown pass to Maurice Threatts was converted into a touchdown reception of 30 yards. Griswold would miss the extra point, but it was now an 8 point ballgame with the score at 21-13. Both defenses held up for the remainder of the game, and with the Cougars last ditch effort unraveling with a high snap over the head of Chmelik, it was the Eagles who would take the game, advance to the playoffs, and leave the home team out of post-season play. Countryside (6-3) will wrap up the year next Friday when they hit the road one last time to take on the Seminole Warhawks. Game time is 7:30 on November 9.

We all need to thank Mr. Shockley and his staff for painting the field all day Friday!

In my 7 years with Countryside Football, last Friday was the best the field has ever looked!!!