CLEARWATER - The
stage was set Friday night for a huge Class 5A, District 9 match-up at Cougar
Field featuring the Countryside Cougars and the Palm Harbor Hurricanes. It was
homecoming 2007 and the entire school was in full force for this backyard
brawl that was intensified because of playoff implications. School spirit was
evident during the pep rallies and the tailgating, but the real heart of the
students and alumni was shown during the torrential downpour during the action
which didn't dampen the spirits of the crowd. After all the talk and chatter,
the whistle blew and the game was underway as the Cougars had the ball first
and right away made a statement. Jimbo Chmelik began the game under center, as
the Cougars went to the air for most of the drive, but it was capped off on a
halfback fake as Maurice Threatts, who tallied an 18 yard touchdown to give
CHS a 7-0 lead. The Canes would not back down easily as early in the second
quarter, Sean Shelton found the tight end Dickinson in the corner of the end
zone for a 10 yard strike and the ballgame was tied at 7.
The Cougars were caught napping on the ensuing
drive as a squib kick deflected off a Countryside special teamer and was
recovered at midfield by Palm Harbor. The visitors would put an exclamation
mark on the drive as LeJuan Landing scored to give PHU a 14-7 lead on a 9 yard
run. Countryside righted the ship when with five minutes left in the half,
Threatts would dive in the end zone for a tough 5 yard score and a 14-14 tie.
William Griswold would untie the game with a 20 yard field goal as time
expired in the second quarter. Steven Honey and Mallory Crim were crowned
homecoming king and queen at halftime, and the game would resume with CHS
pouring it on with three more scores in the third. Dawrence Roberts made it
24-14 with a 3 yard touchdown, and Brent Scannell would tally on a trick play
good for 42 yards, blowing by the Canes and giving the garnet and gold a
comfortable 31-14 advantage. Threatts would find the promised land for the
third and last time to put the icing on the cake and cap off an impressive
38-14 final. The Cougars are now (4-2), with a (1-1) district record. Palm
Harbor falls to (1-4) on the year, and are now (0-7) lifetime vs. the Cougars.
Countryside next travels to Gulfport to meet
the speedy Boca Ciega Pirates next Friday at 7:30, followed by a bye week on
Oct. 19. District plays continues on the 26th, when the Cougars visit the
Clearwater Tornadoes before returning home to take on the East Lake Eagles on
Nov. 2. The regular season wraps up the following week at Seminole before the
Regional Quarterfinals get under way the following week. Hope to see each and
everyone of you at our four remaining games. GO COUGARS!
