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Suncoast Pinellas News

Dunedin Wins Battle Against Countryside

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST NEWS

Dunedin linebacker Antonio Talley in hot pursuit of Countryside quarterback Ryan Eppes Thursday night. Eppes managed to throw for a touchdown in the game, but little else.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: September 21, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - Neither wind, nor rain – nor the Countryside High School defense – proved capable of slowing down the Dunedin Falcon ground attack Thursday night from running up and down the field seemingly at will.

Led by junior standout Adaris Bellamy's three touchdown, 281 yard performance, the Falcons (3-1) busted out for 328 rushing yards and 432 total to win their first District 5A-9 match up 39-21 at home.

Dunedin head coach Mark Everett needed his passing attack for nothing more than a change of pace.

Quarterback A'Darrius Anderson completed three of eight attempts for 104 yards, but did most of his damage with his feet in the red zone while running for two scores.

As dominant as Bellamy was on offense, it was the Falcon defense that set the tempo of the game during the opening drive. On only the third play overall, junior linebacker Bryan Morris picked off an errant Jimbo Chmelik pass, returning it down to the Cougar eight yard line.

Anderson quickly ran in for his first touchdown, giving Dunedin an early 7-0 advantage only three minutes in.

Unfortunately for the Cougar faithful – who valiantly kept hope alive until the final whistle – that was just the Bellamy opening act.

After Countryside gave the ball right back to Dunedin with a 3-and-out, Bellamy took the first play from scrimmage and cut left, jumped back towards the middle of the field, then took off for an electric 73 yard touchdown.

Six and a half minutes in: Dunedin 13 - Countryside 0.

The Falcons increased that first half lead to 20-0 with the help of another long 58 yard Bellamy run to get them inside the 20 yard line.

Known as a slashing style runner with great cutbacks and speed, Bellamy displayed his grit multiple times as well Thursday evening, lowering his shoulders and delivering strong hits.

Untimely penalties and two Chmelik interceptions were certainly no help in the Cougar unraveling. He and fellow quarterback Ryan Eppes split time under center and combined for 125 yards passing and two touchdowns on a 10 for 28 effort.

Senior tailback Maurice Threatts did his part with 19 carries for 107 yards and a score. Every time the Cougars showed signs of life, however, Bellamy was there to thwart all hope.

Countryside was able to narrow the margin to 33-21 in the third quarter after a 68 yard drive culminating in a Martavious Jones (5 receptions for 82 yards) middle-slant touchdown catch from Eppes.

On Dunedin's first play after a failed Cougar onside kick, Bellamy took the handoff on a sweep right, burned around the corner and slashed down the far sideline for a 37 yard momentum killer.

The Cougars now finds themselves in an unexpected position at 2-2, while Dunedin is now riding a three game winning streak.

Other Notable Performer
Dunedin's Mike Towns (WR/DB) added two receptions for 92 yards and 17 on the ground along with a touchdown. He showed his toughness after his first reception, holding onto a 15 yard catch after getting popped immediately after. His second and last grab was an acrobatic, leaping catch-and-run for 77 yards.

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