Jackets Fall In The Dungeon at East Ridge 38-21, September 24, 2011

Leesburg at East Ridge in the Dungeon on the campus of East Ridge High School in Clermont Florida (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer 

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 24, 2011

LEESBURG - Leesburg High School second year head coach Randy Trivers took his undefeated Jackets squad, into the Dungeon at Clermont East Ridge High School for the first time in his tenure. 

"We are excited to play this ballgame here versus a great opponent in East Ridge," Trivers said on his pregame radio show Friday.

PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011

Leesburg was looking to go 4-0 for the first time since Friday October 9, 1976 when they beat Gainesville Eastside 57-7 at Leesburg Memorial Field. Friday's game was the Class 7A District 4 opener for both teams. The Jackets had never beaten Clermont East Ridge High School or its former head coach Bud O'Hara in four previous meetings. The score was even after three quarters and it looked like the Jackets would prevail in this district road game. The Knights proved to the rest of Lake County that they are still King of Lake County Football and that the road to area football supremacy goes through the city of Clermont. East Ridge turned up its defensive pressure and its offense got on track to run away with the win 38-21.

It was O'Hara the dean of Lake County coaches against the up and coming Trivers in the big time high school football match up.

"First of all it starts with their leadership, said Trivers on East Ridge football program Friday. "You mentioned O'Hara and the outstanding job he's done with their program the last couple of years, so they are certainly well coached" 

"You can see that they have excellent athletes just a great combination." 

"If you have a good coach and you have good athletes you are going to have a pretty strong program and that's why they have been winning consistently for several years."

Leesburg at Clermont East Ridge (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

East Ridge scored 24 consecutive points to turn back a determined undefeated Yellow Jacket squad. Bud O'Hara teams are traditionally run oriented teams but went to the passing game Friday Night. Leesburg played without Under Armour High School American OLB Noor Davis for the second week in a row. Before the game when asked about the status of Noor Davis and University of Miami commit D'Mauri Jones on his pregame show (Randy Trivers Show, Daily Commercial Friday Night Lights) Trivers said Jones would be able to play but not Davis.

"I don't think Noor (Davis) is going to play but we had quite a few out." said Trivers. We had five starters out last week hopefully we can get some of these guys back in this week and get them participating."

Junior Austin Walker handles a high snap on a punt attempt in the Leesburg at Clermont East Ridge game. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

Without Davis in the lineup the Jackets couldn't get enough pressure on 5'9"/170 senior quarterback Joeworn Martin as he completed 8-of-22 for 164 yards and three touchdowns.  Leesburg's defense had to bring extra men in the box but could not slow down Martin. East Ridge went to the pass early and often as 6'2"/185 senior wide receiver Adrian Jones finished the night with 7 catches for 152 yards.  Jones came into the game with nine receptions for 109 yards, surpassed that yardage total with six catches for 139 of Martin's 174 passing yards on Friday. He repeatedly was able to find seams and use his height advantage to beat single coverage off play-action.

Noor Davis sat the game out with a injury.

"They have some good speed at the wideout position and the offensive line is very good size," said Trivers. "Those guys come off the ball very quick and are very physical. The quarterback is very good athlete that has versatility so when you look at their offense they are impressive physically and they are very precise in what they do as far as execution"

East Ridge improved its record to 16-1 against Lake County Schools, 8-0 since a 34-31 loss to Eustis in 2007. Leesburg came into the game ranked 13th in the Orlando Sentinel High School Football Poll and number one in the Daily Commercial 13. The Knights were ranked #16 in the Super 16.

East Ridge received the opening kickoff and Senior Wide Receiver 5'10" 155, Brandon McCall returned it to the Knights 22 yard line. On first and 10 Martin completed a 22 yard pass to Jones up to the East Ridge 48 yard line. On first down senior 5'9"/180 running back/defensive back Randy Bergen took a handoff for a 1 yard gain up to the Knights 49 yard line. On the next play pass interference was called on the Jacket defense, one of the six pass interference calls on Leesburg on the night. The penalty gave the Knights the ball on the 36 yard line with first and 10.  A one yard carry by Bergen gave the Knights a second and 9 from the Jacket 35 yard line. The next play Martin hit Jones with a 35 yard strike to put the Knights on the scoreboard first with 10:34 to go in the first quarter. Sophomore P/K 5'5" 140 Charley Worker P.A.T. was good making the score East Ridge 7 Leesburg 0. East Ridge marched 78 yards in five plays in 2 minutes and 26 seconds.

D'Mauri makes a 8 yard touchdown catch his second of the game. It was Jones first game back after suffering a high ankle sprain early in the year. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

"This particular team when you look at them you got to respect them in all phases offensively," said Randy Trivers

On the kickoff junior Austin Walker made a fair catch on the 33 yard line, one of his several fair catches on the night. The Jackets offense started slow on first and 10 junior quarterback Undra Mitchem, Jr. first pass was incomplete. On second and 10 senior running back Emmanuel Nelson was stacked up in the backfield for a 3 yard loss on the carry by East Ridge senior 6'0"/185 LB Khalil Pierson. On third down Mitchem was sacked for a 8 yard loss. The Jackets than were called for illegal motion, pushing the ball back to the 17 yard line.

After a punt the Knights failed to pick up a first down and their drive stalled. Leesburg took over on its 43 yard line. On first and ten Mitchem's pass was incomplete. On second and ten Nelson picked up 3 yards on a run up the middle. Junior Running back Anthony Miller followed with a 7 yard run for the Jackets initial first down of the game. Nelson then had a 1 yard carry setting up second and nine. On second and nine the Jackets were called for illegal motion. Penalties haunted the Yellow Jackets all game long.

OLB Jordan Tucker picks up a fumble and returns it to the 3 yard line to set up a 8 yard touchdown catch by D'Mauri Jones in the third quarter to put Leesburg ahead 21-14. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

"A good game for us as far as protecting the football is no interceptions or fumbles or turnovers," said Trivers. "Which when that happens you always give yourself a chance to win."

On second and 14 Mitchem completed a short pass to senior wide receiver Jalen Dozier, up to the 49 yard line with 4:13 left in the first quarter. On the next play Mitchem's pass was incomplete forcing a Jackets punt. East Ridge's senior 5'9"/165, wide/quarterback Corey Harbert made a fair catch at the East Ridge 18 yard line.

Martin's first two passes were incomplete in the series on third down the Jackets were called for another pass interference giving the Knights another first down on the next play Austin Thomas caused a East Ridge fumble that was recovered by Brandon Foor. The Yellow Jackets took over on the Knights 24 yard line.

East Ridge shut down the Jackets potent running game.

D'Mauri Jones entered the game on this series after sitting out last week's game against Mount Dora. On first down Jalen Dozier carried for one yard, on second and 9 Nelson took a pitchout for a 2 yard gain. On third and 7 with Triple receivers on his right Mitchem hit Jones with a 11 yard pass to the Knights eleven yard line. On third and 11 Mitchem pass was incomplete bringing up fourth and 11. Sophomore James Eldridge attempted a 28 yard field goal that was no good With 3:55 left in the first quarter Leesburg couldn't capitilize on the East Ridge turnover.

"Defensively they fly to the ball they tackle well and they are very impressive, said Trivers "They have got some very outstanding defensive football players its a team that you look at and say wow."

"You better do your very best to go into their stadium, the Dungeon and hope to be able to compete and possibly give yourself a chance to get your first win in your district."

At the beginning of the second quarter another East Ridge drive stalled and they were forced to punt. Jalen Dozier returned a Knights punt to the 50 yard line. On the very next play Mitchem found a wide open D"Mauri Jones for a 50 yard touchdown pass. Eldridge's P.A.T was good tying the score at 7-7.

East Ridge Randy Bergen on one of his two touchdowns runs on the night. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

The Knights begin the next drive on it's 20 yard line. Bergen carried on first down for a gain of 5 yards. The Jackets were then called for pass interference. On the next play the defense came up big and caused a fumble junior Devonte Williams recovered the loose ball for the Jackets.

On the next play the offense ran a flea flicker and Miller found Jalen Dozier wide open for a touchdown. Eldridge P.A.T. was good and the Jackets were now up 14-7 in the Dungeon. After both teams traded possesions Dozier returned a punt 47 yards to the East Ridge 38 yard line with 2:18 left in the half, Jones made a touchdown saving tackle. On second and 13 Mitchem made a fake on play action and hit senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts with a pass for 22 yards. Roberts outjumped two defenders to get the football. Leesburg had first and 10 from the 13 and were threating to score again. The next play the Jackets was called for a penalty backing them up 5 yards with 1:03 left in the half. Three plays later the drive stalled another opportunity missed by Leesburg. The score at the half Leesburg 14 East Ridge 7.

#9 Austin Walker makes a fair catch on a first half kickoff during the Leesburg at Clermont East Ridge game (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011).

On the next series Mitchem was picked off and East Ridge took over on the Jacket 46 yard line. On the next play Bergen broke free for a 54 yard touchdown run. Bergen had only 17 yards at the half finished with 240 rushing yards on 19 carries two touchdowns. Worker P.A.T. was good and the score was tied again at 14-14.

After the kick Nelson took a carry and rambled 18 yards before junior 5'11"/180 Brian Mills made a touchdown saving tackle. Mitchem dropped back to pass and was picked off again giving East Ridge the ball.

With 6:52 left in the third quarter East Ridge fumbled the football junior LB Jordan Tucker scooped up the football and ran it all the way down to the East Ridge 3 yard line with 6:13 left in the quarter. On first and goal a Leesburg penalty pushed the Jackets back to the 8 yard line with 5:45 left. On second and goal from the eight Mitchem dropped back to pass and found D'Mauri Jones for his first touchdown catch on the year. Eldridge P.A.T was good the Jackets now led 21-14 with 5:20 left in the third quarter.

Jordan Tucker picks up a fumble and returns it to the 3 yard line to set up a 8 yard touchdown catch by D'Mauri Jones in the third quarter to put Leesburg ahead 21-14. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

On the next East Ridge possession facing a third and 6 Martin's pass was incomplete but Leesburg was once again called for pass interference. Martin than pass to Jones again for 20 yards down to the 40 yard line of Leesburg. Two plays later he found Jones again for a 38 yard touchdown pass. Two of Jones three receptions in the second half were for touchdowns. Worker's P.A.T. was good and they were tied again at 21-21.

Leesburg failed to move the ball on its next possesion, Austin Walker placed a punt down to the  Knights 5 yard line. On first down Bergen carried the ball 41 yards up to the East Ridge 46 yard line. Another Martin pass was incomplete but once again Leesburg was flagged for pass interference putting the ball on the Jackets 39 yard line. Three plays later and the third quarter was over with the score tied 21-21.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter the Knights drive resumed. Senior 5'9"/157 running back/defensive back Jerami Singleton ran for 2 yards. On the next play Martin hit Jones for 25 yards and a touchdown. Worker's P.A.T. was good and now East Ridge led 28-21 with 11:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Head coach Randy Trivers giving out some instructions during the game Friday night. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 24, 2011)

After receiving the kick off, on third and11 Mitchem attempted a pass and was picked again with 10:18 to play in the game. Mitchem who had not thrown an interception entering the game, was picked off on his first two passing attempts of the second half. Mitchem was held to 167 yards on 10-of-29 passing, two touchdowns and threw his first four interceptions of the year.


On the next play Bergen took a Martin handoff and ran 38 yards for a touchdown. Worker's P.A.T. was good and the score was now 35-21 East Ridge in front with 10:09 left in the game.

On Leesburg's next possession Mitchem pitched the ball to Miller who threw a halfback pass and was picked off. East Ridge took over at its own 33 yard line. Two plays later Bergen broke loose again for 54 yards all the way down to the Jackets 4 yard line. After a Leesburg sack by Austin Walker and delay of game penalty pushed the Knights back.  Charley Worker, who was perfect on PATs for East Ridge, then added a 22-yard field goal for the final points following the interception by Geo Ruiz.

Junior running back Anthony Miller is wrapped up by a East Ridge defender Friday night. (PHOTOS BY ASHLEY BEYER/ September 24, 2011)

The loss all but ended the Jackets hopes of its first district title since 2007. With only a four game district schedule the Jackets will have to win out and hope to secure a second place finish in the district. Even then the Jacket Nation won't see a home playoff game as the district runner up has to play its playoff games on the road.

"This is a important game because it is a district game and you know the way things are done here we got to win in the district to get to the postseason and thats everybody goal"

East Ridge (3-1, 1-0) is into an early tie for first place in Class 7A, District 4 with Evans (4-0, 1-0), which defeated South Lake (2-2, 0-1) on Friday. Leesburg is 0-1 in the district, 3-1 overall.

East Ridge 38, Leesburg 21

East Ridge          7     0     14     17     -     38
Leesburg             7     7      7       0      -     17

FIRST QUARTER– EAST RIDGE: A. Jones 35 pass from Martin (Worker kick). SECOND QUARTER– LEESBURG: Jones 50 pass from Mitchem (Eldridge kick); LEESBURG: Dozier 24 pass from Miller (Eldridge kick). THIRD QUARTER – EAST RIDGE: Bergen 54 run (Worker kick); LEESBURG: Jones 8 pass from Mitchem (Eldridge kick); EAST RIDGE: A. Jones 35 pass from Martin (Worker kick). FOURTH QUARTER – EAST RIDGE: Jones 25 pass from Martin (Worker kick); EAST RIDGE: Bergen 38 run (Worker kick); EAST RIDGE : Worker 22 field goal.

Resources
Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer 
2001 Graduate of Leesburg High School

Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. In the begining as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.

"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories."

Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football
September 22, 2011

Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 24, 2011

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.