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| Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida Home of the Jackets |
Singleton slices through Clermont
Leesburg, Eustis win football jamboree halves
By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Leesburg, Eustis win football jamboree halves
By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 4, 1992
CLERMONT - So much for the theory that defenses develop ahead of offenses during the preseason.
All four teams in Thursday night's football jamboree at Clermont showed defensive rust, committing at least a couple (and in some cases many more) major breakdowns. Meanwhile, each team showed at least glimmers of vitality on offense.
Of course, it was all much like a presidential election. Everyone called it meaningless but paid ample attention to what took place.
They did in fact keep score, and Eustis outlasted Mount Dora 20-13 in the first half. Leesburg defeated Clermont 16-7 in the finale.
In that second matchup between the two Lake County teams carrying the highest preseason expectations, it took Leesburg tailback 13 seconds to pick up where he left off in 1991. Singleton, who gained 1,798 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season, took a pitchout on Leesburg's first play and darted untouched 48 yards for a touchdown.
Singleton, playing sparingly, gathered 112 yards on six carries. He set up leesburg's second touchdown by turning a fake punt into a 23-yard dash for a first down.
"That kid doesn't surprise me anymore," Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said. "If we can get that kid out on the end and only two (defenders) are out there, he's going to do something."
But Singleton wasn't the only impressive runner on the field. In the first half, Eustis tailback Oliver Longley showed that Eustis may weather the departure of All-State runner Bayfus McCoy after all. Longley carried 13 times for 93 yards and added a 76-yard touchdown on a kickoff return.
"Don't let him get in the sceondary," Eustis Coach Kevin McClelland said of Longley.
"Speed makes up for a lot of mistakes."
Clermont tailback Kendrick Moore also gave indications that he could be the dominant runner the Highlanders have lacked in recent seasons. Moore totaled 88 yards on nine carries, including a 66-yard touchdown that seemed to stun the proud Jackets.
"I counted five missed tackles," Hoffman said. "But I credit their team and their running backs. They've got two very good, skilled running backs."
"I think Kendrick showed when he gets in the open field he's going to be hard to tackle," Clermont Coach Bruce Kregloe said. "He's a pretty big kid; he's not going to fall down when he gets hit with an arm. He didn't get the ball as much tonight as he will."
The most interesting matchup of the night was Clermont sizeable offensive line against Leesburg's defense. The Jackets, who return all but two starters form a team that yielded 11 points per game, won the battle.
But in addition to Moore's touchdown, Leesburg allowed a 40-yard pass from Brian Roehn to Marshea Dugan. Clermont moved to Leesburg's 23-yard line on that drive before D.J. Keith intercepted Roehn in the end zone.
Both teams played it extremely conservative. With Eustis, the Jackets' opening opponent, watching from behind the north end zone, Leesburg attempted only one pass. Instead, Hoffman stuck with the option offense, and third-year starting quarterback Steve Gooden ran it expertly.
Gooden moved the Jackets 68 yards on their second drive before Brian Rausch kicked a 25-yard field goal. On the next possession, Gooden froze the Highlanders with an inside fake and ran 33 yards for a touchdown.
Longley showed his quickness as Eustis took a 13-0 lead and held off Mount Dora. He capped the Panthers first drive by taking a pitchout, reversing through the Hurricanes defense and going 68 yards for a score.
Mount Dora's first possession resulted in disaster when free safety Brian Faircloth intercepted a Montana Mace pass and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown. Longley gave Eustis its final score when he fielded a short kickoff and made Mount Dora pay for overrunning the play.
Both Mount Dora touchdowns came after Tim Pruett took over at quarterback. Brad Lott scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 40-yard drive, and Pruett connected with Cleve Hickson for a 75-yard score down the left sideline.
But Mount Dora Caoch Craig Cosden said his quarterback situation remains undecided.
"Tim showed he can get in there and do an effective job," Cosden said. "I have absolute confidence in Montana Mace. I think that (position) is a positive for us."
CLERMONT - So much for the theory that defenses develop ahead of offenses during the preseason.
All four teams in Thursday night's football jamboree at Clermont showed defensive rust, committing at least a couple (and in some cases many more) major breakdowns. Meanwhile, each team showed at least glimmers of vitality on offense.
Of course, it was all much like a presidential election. Everyone called it meaningless but paid ample attention to what took place.
They did in fact keep score, and Eustis outlasted Mount Dora 20-13 in the first half. Leesburg defeated Clermont 16-7 in the finale.
In that second matchup between the two Lake County teams carrying the highest preseason expectations, it took Leesburg tailback 13 seconds to pick up where he left off in 1991. Singleton, who gained 1,798 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season, took a pitchout on Leesburg's first play and darted untouched 48 yards for a touchdown.
Singleton, playing sparingly, gathered 112 yards on six carries. He set up leesburg's second touchdown by turning a fake punt into a 23-yard dash for a first down.
"That kid doesn't surprise me anymore," Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said. "If we can get that kid out on the end and only two (defenders) are out there, he's going to do something."
But Singleton wasn't the only impressive runner on the field. In the first half, Eustis tailback Oliver Longley showed that Eustis may weather the departure of All-State runner Bayfus McCoy after all. Longley carried 13 times for 93 yards and added a 76-yard touchdown on a kickoff return.
"Don't let him get in the sceondary," Eustis Coach Kevin McClelland said of Longley.
"Speed makes up for a lot of mistakes."
Clermont tailback Kendrick Moore also gave indications that he could be the dominant runner the Highlanders have lacked in recent seasons. Moore totaled 88 yards on nine carries, including a 66-yard touchdown that seemed to stun the proud Jackets.
"I counted five missed tackles," Hoffman said. "But I credit their team and their running backs. They've got two very good, skilled running backs."
"I think Kendrick showed when he gets in the open field he's going to be hard to tackle," Clermont Coach Bruce Kregloe said. "He's a pretty big kid; he's not going to fall down when he gets hit with an arm. He didn't get the ball as much tonight as he will."
The most interesting matchup of the night was Clermont sizeable offensive line against Leesburg's defense. The Jackets, who return all but two starters form a team that yielded 11 points per game, won the battle.
But in addition to Moore's touchdown, Leesburg allowed a 40-yard pass from Brian Roehn to Marshea Dugan. Clermont moved to Leesburg's 23-yard line on that drive before D.J. Keith intercepted Roehn in the end zone.
Both teams played it extremely conservative. With Eustis, the Jackets' opening opponent, watching from behind the north end zone, Leesburg attempted only one pass. Instead, Hoffman stuck with the option offense, and third-year starting quarterback Steve Gooden ran it expertly.
Gooden moved the Jackets 68 yards on their second drive before Brian Rausch kicked a 25-yard field goal. On the next possession, Gooden froze the Highlanders with an inside fake and ran 33 yards for a touchdown.
Longley showed his quickness as Eustis took a 13-0 lead and held off Mount Dora. He capped the Panthers first drive by taking a pitchout, reversing through the Hurricanes defense and going 68 yards for a score.
Mount Dora's first possession resulted in disaster when free safety Brian Faircloth intercepted a Montana Mace pass and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown. Longley gave Eustis its final score when he fielded a short kickoff and made Mount Dora pay for overrunning the play.
Both Mount Dora touchdowns came after Tim Pruett took over at quarterback. Brad Lott scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 40-yard drive, and Pruett connected with Cleve Hickson for a 75-yard score down the left sideline.
But Mount Dora Caoch Craig Cosden said his quarterback situation remains undecided.
"Tim showed he can get in there and do an effective job," Cosden said. "I have absolute confidence in Montana Mace. I think that (position) is a positive for us."
Resources
Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 4, 1992
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
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