CLEARWATER - It's hard to put into words what
took place at Cougar Stadium Friday night. The weather was cooperative, the
varsity team was coming off a dominating game, and the crowd was pumped and
revved up. What happened on the field from 7:30 on is anyone's guess. There
were two factors early that had stifled Countryside in the previous two
contests. First, the team fell behind due to sloppy play, and second, the
Cougars were forced to play comeback. Both times before, the comebacks were
successful; on Friday, the visiting Gladiators had other thoughts in mind.
Gibbs, who beat Lakewood last week 14-13, got
on the board first on a special teams blunder. A Cougar punt return was muffed
and subsequently scooped up by Kevonta Brown who scampered 52 yards to pay
dirt and an early 7-0 Gibbs lead. The garnet and gold offense could not muster
much offense, and on the final play of the first, Pete Kontodiakis's punt was
returned for a 60 yard score by the speedy JaJaun Moorer. Both teams would go
back and forth in the second, as the Cougars were bequeathed 4 first half
turnovers (2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions) but came away with exactly 0
points. Although CHS would outscore Gibbs in the second half, it was not
enough to get it done.
The Gladiators seemingly put the game away in
the third quarter when QB Lamar Hall found Larry Murphy on a quick inside
route for an 8 yard touchdown to put the visitors up by 21-0. Finally the home
crowd had something to cheer about in the fourth when on the first play of the
quarter, Dawrence Roberts found the end zone from 3 yards out and would avoid
the shutout, making it 21-7. Gibbs caught a break when on the ensuing drive,
Maurice Threatts, who had returned a put more than 50 yards, would see his
team fumble and cough up the ball to end the threat. The Cougars would get a
safety on a botched long snap, but to no avail. The Gladiators dominated the
home team 21-9 and are now (2-0). The Countryside Cougars (1-1) finish up
their 3 game home stand next Friday when they host the St. Pete Green Devils.
Game time is 7:30; be there - aloha.
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