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East Lake Clinches Playoff Berth

EAGLES 22, FALCONS 0

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

East Lake linebacker Justin Clarida leaps to avoid a tackle after picking up a Dunedin fumble.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: November 7, 2009

DUNEDIN - East Lake locked up the Class 5A, District 8 runners-up playoff berth Friday night after posting a 22-0 victory at Dunedin (1-8, 1-3).

Two big gains by running back Jamaal Wilburn set up each of his 1-yard touchdown plunges in the first quarter and the Eagles' defense took care of the rest.

East Lake (6-3, 3-1) blanked the Dunedin ground attack and allowed only 119 yards passing from backup Falcons quarterback Anthony Diviney. Starter Ryan Singer was out because of a suspension.

Typically a run-heavy offense, East Lake and quarterback Sam Shaffer displayed a little balance by passing for 172 yards and a touchdown. Shaffer consistently connected with senior Tyler Higbee throughout the night, hooking up 8 times for 98 yards. Drew Harwood hauled in Shaffer's 15-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter to cap the Eagles' scoring.

"(Shaffer) has greatly improved with his technique and his arm strength, everything is so much better," East Lake coach Bob Hudson said. "It's a testament to him and his hard work."

Although East Lake controlled most of the night's action, yellow flags constantly slowed momentum for both sidelines. East Lake racked up 127 yards on 12 infractions to Dunedin's 8 for 75.

Defensive lineman Dylan Hastie accounted for the two other East Lake points when he sacked Diviney for a safety near the end of the third quarter.

The Dunedin special teams unit provided most of the home team's highlights by blocking an extra point and a field goal attempt and intercepting a pass during a second quarter East Lake fake field goal.

Wilburn, Pinellas County's third-ranked rusher, was given most of the night off after putting the Eagles ahead 13-0 in the first quarter. The senior finished with 91 yards on 12 carries – 77 coming in the opening period.

With Wilburn on the sideline, sophomore junior varsity call-up Tyler Lane took advantage of the opportunity. He toted the rock 14 times against Dunedin's starting defense and picked up 55 yards, including a 26-yard burst on his first carry.

East Lake's regular season winds down with a Thursday night trip to Hernando County to take on Nature Coast Tech (7-2).

With the District 5A-7 playoff picture now finalized as well, the Eagles now know they will travel to district champ Tampa Bay Tech.

Countryside, which beat East Lake last week to clinch the District 5A-8 title, will host Freedom.

Dunedin wraps its season up at St. Pete High.

SCORING:

East Lake; 13; 0; 2; 7; - 22
Dunedin; 0; 0; 0; 0; - 0

EL - Wilburn 1-yard run. PAT kick (Mitchell) – 1st Quarter
EL - Wilburn 1-yard run. PAT kick blocked – 1st Quarter
EL - Hastie safety. PAT kick (Mitchell) – 3rd Quarter
EL - Harwood 15-yard pass from Shaffer – 4th Quarter

TEAM STATS:

---------------EL---------DUN
First Downs-----17-----7
Atts./Rushing Yds.-----41-198-----18-0
Comp./Pass Atts./Int.-----13-23-2-----10-28-1
Passing Yds. -----172-----119
Total Offense-----370-----119
Fumbles/Lost-----2-2-----2-2
Punts/Avg.-----3-34.0-----7-34.1
Penalties-----12-127-----8-75

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

RUSHING
EL – Wilburn (12-91, 2 TD), Lane (14-55).
DUN – Drettakis (8-23).

PASSING
EL – Shaffer (13-23 for 172, TD, INT).
DUN – Diviney (10-28 for 119, INT).

RECEIVING
EL – Higbee (8-98), Smith (3-46), Harwood (1-15, TD).
DUN – Goins (2-59), Diehl (2-25).

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

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