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Dunedin Wins Defensive Battle Over Tarpon

FALCONS 17, SPONGERS 11

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: October 18, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - In a game absent of many impact players from both sidelines, Dunedin (5-2, 1-1) flexed its defensive muscles just enough more than host Tarpon Springs to grab a non-district victory Friday night, 17-11.

Running backs Adaris Bellamy and Emmitt Emery, along with defensive back Austin Williams, were all unable to play due to injuries for the Falcons. Tarpon (4-2, 1-1) played without their backfield tandem of Ladarrius Only and Marcelle Lewis.

Dunedin's defensive line largely dominated the battle in the trenches, limiting the Sponger ground attack to only 34 yards on 24 carries and sacking Tarpon quarterback Danny Reyes four times.

The Falcons struck first at the start of the second quarter following an interception when running back Kim Howard scooted in the end zone for a 5-yard score. The touchdown came immediately after Dunedin kicker T.J. Day had just booted a 27-yard field goal on fourth down, but a 5-yard Tarpon penalty instead gave the Falcons a fresh set of downs at the 5-yard line.

Tarpon, who didn't manage to get its first, first down until the second period, got on the board with a 37-yard field goal from Michael Hill with under a minute left to play in the half. The Sponger offense and touted passing attack showed its first signs of life during the drive with 4:00 remaining. Reyes hit on three consecutive passes during the drive, but stalled out at the 20-yard line.

Reyes finished with 200 yards on 16-for-29 passing, along with the pick.

After fumbling away the first possession of the second half, the Falcons found the end zone again on their next try. Dunedin quarterback Ryan Singer dropped back for a rare-on-this-night Falcons pass and was flushed from the pocket on the left hash marks. He rolled right and didn't find an open receiver, but got around the corner to sneak in for the touchdown, making the score 14-3. Singer also connected on his one and only completion of the night during the drive, hitting Avery Chisholm for a 21-yard pass set up by the play action. Fullback Bryan Morris also broke his second of two big runs of the night earlier in the series, rumbling for 41 yards.

Morris led all rushers by game's end, going for 105 yards on only eight carries.

The performance of Morris and the four other Falcons who took carries in the absence of Bellamy and Emery - along with the all-around tough-nosed play of the defense - were what Dunedin head coach Mark Everett keyed in on after the game.

"With Bellamy being out this week, it's been a test," he said of his star back, adding that shoulder soreness is what kept Bellamy out of pads. "We just wanted to play a real physical game."

"These are two physical football teams, and we came out on the positive end of it this time."

While Dunedin managed to keep relative control of the contest throughout, Tarpon missed a key opportunity to respond after the Falcons' touchdown. Starting at their own 29, the Spongers worked their way down to the Dunedin 15-yard line after a 5-yard catch by receiver Bobby Vavlas. But the Dunedin defense locked down again and put an end to the threat when Reyes' fourth-and-five pass attempt fell incomplete. Vavlas compiled an impressive 117 yards on eight receptions despite the eventual loss.

The Tarpon defense also continually kept the Spongers in the game with big plays and series of its own, recovering two Dunedin fumbles and sacking Singer three times. They held the Falcons to only 167 yards of total offense.

Midway through the final quarter, Tarpon narrowed Dunedin's lead to a field goal on running back Josiah Fisk's 3-yard, up-the-gut touchdown run with under 6:00 to play. Receiver Drew Kier took in an end-around for the 2-point conversion, making the score 14-11.

The Spongers forced a three-and-out on the Falcons' next series, but Tarpon was unable to capitalize, though deep in their own territory. Reyes' fourth-and-one pass to Vavlas sailed well-deep on a play where the tandem was apparently not on the same page.

Regaining possession with great field position - as well as taking advantage of a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Tarpon that took Dunedin to the 13-yard line - Day connected on a 32-yard field goal that made the score 17-11 and forced the Spongers to need to find the end zone with less than a minute remaining.

In total, the yellow flag was not kind to Tarpon Friday night. The Spongers racked up 90 yards on 10 penalties compared to the Falcons' one minor infraction for only five yards.

Tarpon was unable to put a quick, long drive together on their final attempt and the game ended on a 26-yard pass to Vavlas at the Dunedin 44.

Dunedin jumps back into Class 5A, District 9 play next Friday when they host East Lake High.

Tarpon Springs takes on Class 4A, District 8 foe Ridgewood High on the road.

SCORING:

Dunedin; 7; 0; 7; 3; - 17
Tarpon Springs; 0; 3; 0; 8; - 11

DUN -Howard 5-yard run. PAT Kick (Day) – 1st Quarter
TS -Hill 37-yard FG. – 2nd Quarter
DUN -Singer 7-yard run. PAT kick (Day) – 3rd Quarter
TS -Fisk 3-yard run. 2 pt. run (Kier) – 4th Quarter
DUN -Day 32-yard FG. – 4th Quarter

TEAM STATS:

---------------DUN---------TS

First Downs-----9-----10
Atts./Rushing Yds.-----40-146-----24-34
Comp./Pass Atts./Int.-----1-3-0-----16-29-1
Passing Yds. -----21-----200
Total Offense-----167-----234
Fumbles/Lost-----4-2-----0-0
Punts/Avg.-----4-38.2-----5-35.4
Penalties-----1-5-----10-90

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

RUSHING
DUN – Morris (8-105), Howard (11-13, TD), Singer (5-(-2), TD).
TS – Chaisson (3-46), Fisk (15-11, TD).

PASSING
DUN – Singer (1-3 for 21).
TS – Reyes (16-29 for 200, INT).

RECEIVING
DUN – Chisholm (1-21).
TS – Vavlas (8-117), Kier (5-60).

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

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