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| Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Home of the Jackets |
Jackets shuts downs Sams and Eustis rushing attack
By Gerald Lacey
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 10, 2011
LEESBURG - Eustis Head Coach Jonathan returned to Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium for the first time as a Head Football Coach Friday Night. It was the first time in the 84 year history of the Leesburg vs. Eustis rivalry that two African-American Head Coaches paced the opposite sidelines at H.O. Dabney Stadium. Emotions were at a all-time high as the Jackets ranked #1 in the Daily Commercial 13 hosted the much improved Eustis Panthers ranked #3 in the Daily Commercial 13.
"We are a very young football with a bright future." said Eustis Head Coach Jonathan Cannon. "The kids have worked extremely hard this offseason. The football team that we have is primarily made up of last years J.V. team. They believe they can win on any Friday night."
The visiting Panthers dressed in gold helmets, white jerseys and blue pants came into the game with the area's leading rusher sophomore running back Jeremiah Sams. The Jackets dressed in white helmets, orange jerseys and white pants didn't seem to be distracted by the weather which delayed the start of the game. Leesburg Memorial Field which was built for conditions like Friday night and was in excellent playing condition after the delay. Most of the crowd remained even after the rain had stopped.
"We are a very young football with a bright future." said Eustis Head Coach Jonathan Cannon. "The kids have worked extremely hard this offseason. The football team that we have is primarily made up of last years J.V. team. They believe they can win on any Friday night."
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| Eustis High School sophomore running back Jeremiah Sams |
The Jackets powerful running game and a dominating defense were the keys to a 23-7 win over Eustis. It was a wet night in Leesburg and the game was delayed for a hour and twenty minutes. Cannon bought his young but talented Panther squad into Leesburg and went toe to toe with its arch rival for 48 minutes. The Jackets superior speed and depth finally put a end to Eustis upset bid late in fourth quarter.
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| Leesburg second year Head Coach Randy Trivers |
"Tonight it was a great defensive performance and that was the key to the victory." said Randy Trivers Leesburg's head coach.
The Jackets defense slowed down Eustis sophomore tailback Jeremiah Sams and force them to rely on sophomore quarterback Jabari Dunham arm to generate some offense. The defense held Dunham to 56 yards passing on the night keeping the Panthers offense from getting on track. Sams came into the game having picked up 201 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Panthers opening win against Lake Minneola last week. The Stingy Yellow Jackets defense held Sams and his backfield mates Darnell Hill and Tommy Files to a combined total of 89 yards rushing on the night. Austin Walker played a big part in the defense outstanding performance.
On the opening possession of the game Eustis offense moved the ball into Jacket territory off of hard running by Sams. The Panthers Jabari Dunham completed a third down pass to Tommy Files just short of a first down forcing a Eustis punt. From there Undra Mitchem hit senior WR Juilliard Roberts, Jr with a 11 yard pass to start the drive. The next play Flint Hicks carried the ball straight up the middle for a 6 yard gain. Senior Jalen Dozier picked up a 3 yard gain out of the wildcat formation. Mitchem then hit senior WR D'Mauri Jones with a short pass across the middle for the first down to keep the drive alive. Two plays later senior tailback Emanuel Nelson had a 11 yard run to give the Yellow Jackets first and goal from the 4 yard line. The Panthers defense stiffened up near the goal line. After a couple of running plays for short yardage the Jackets had to settle for a 24 yard field goal attempt by James Elridge. The kick was good and Leesburg had the first score of the game with :2.9 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive was for 9 plays, 88 yards and lasted four minutes and 33 seconds giving Leesburg a 3-0 lead.
On the next possession by the Panthers RB Darnell Hill had a 15 yard gain up to the Panther 35 yard line. After a delay of game penalty the Panthers had a second and fifteen. QB Jabari Dunham had two unsuccessful pass attempts forcing Eustis to punt. Austin Walker put heavy pressure on Dunham during the drive and all night. Eustis punted and Leesburg took over at the Eustis 42 yard line.
On the next play WR Juillard Roberts, Jr. took a handoff on a end around and darted 35 yards down to the Panther seven yard line. Dustin Dunham made a touchdown saving tackle on the play. Roberts showed his athleticism on the play, he starred on the 2011 Class 4A Basketball Championship team last spring. On the next play Anthony Miller took the handoff and bolted in from seven yards out for the touchdown. The PAT by Elridge was good and the score was now 10-0 Leesburg with 10:14 left in the half.
Eustis started its next possession from its own 24 yard line. After 5 plays the Yellow Jackets defense came up big once again. Junior Tyler Reed stopped Sams short of a first down and Eustis was forced to punt. The punt was downed at the Jacket 5 yard line with 4:58 left in the half.
On first and ten from the Jacket five yard line Miller picked up 8 yards. On the next play Mitchem kept the ball and rambled 10 yards up to the 23 yard line for a first down. On first and ten operating out of the I formation Mitchem tossed a short pass to senior Jalen Dozier for a seven yard gain. With second and three from the 30 yard line Nelson went up the middle for a 23 yard gain, giving Leesburg a first and ten at the Eustis 42 yard line. On the next play Mitchem dropped back to pass but was dropped for a five yard loss. After a Delay of game penalty Leesburg was faced with a second and long eighteen. Two consecutive incomplete passes and the Eustis defense had stopped the Jackets drive. Leesburg punted with 1:46 left in the half.
Eustis took over backed up on its 22 yard line but was unable to pick up a first down. On fourth down the Panthers lined up in punt formation the snap was bad and the punter tried to run for the first down. Roberts tackled him at the Eustis 21 yard line with :55 left in the half. On first and ten Nelson was tackled in the backfield for a loss. Mitchem threw a short pass to Jones for a 3 yard gain. On third and ten with :22.2 seconds left a holding penalty pushed the Jackets back to the 21 yard line. Elridge came in and attempted a 38 yard field goal but the kick hit the upright. Leeburg miss a golden opportunity and the Eustis defense had held and dodged another bullet. The score remained 10-0 Leesburg going into half.
Leesburg Started the second half from its 33 yard line. Nelson carried the ball on first down for 14 yards. Nelson recovered his own fumble on the next play for a loss of 2 yards. On second and twelve Miller went up the middle for 2 yards. On third and ten Mitchem dropped back to pass and was sacked by Kaderis Walker. Walker was one of the bright spots on the night for the Panthers coming up big on several defensive plays.
On fourth down a Austin Walker punt only went 14 yards giving Eustis its best field position all night at its own 46 yard line. On first and ten Jabari Dunham completed a pass to Anthony Allen. On the next play Sams ran for 13 yards down to the Jackets 41 yard line. Two plays later a Darnell Hill carry had the Panthers down to the Jackets 14 yard line threatening to score. The Jackets defense came up big once again and caused Hill to fumble. Sophomore Jeremy Jones recovered the fumble for the Jackets ending the Panthers scoring threat.
"We did a good job of giving the offense good field position and keeping them out of the endzone." said second year head coach Randy Trivers.
On first and ten Nelson rambled for 20 yards. The next play Anthony Miller picked up 3 yards to the Leesburg 40. On first and ten Mitchem threw a 8 yard pass to sophomore Lee Bennett to the Leesburg 48 yard line. On third and two Anthony Miller took a handoff and bolted through the Eustis defenders on his way to a 52 yard touchdown run. Miller finished with 65 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the night. Flint Hicks who played an outstanding game at fullback in the I formation, blocked brilliantly on the play and drive. A Elridge kick gave Leesburg a insurmountable 17-0 lead with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
The game was close up until that point but the Jackets depth begin to wear Cannon's young Panther squad down. Most of the Panthers were playing both ways. Coach Trivers has played a lot of kids in order to wear down his opponents. It worked to perfection Friday night as the Jackets look strong going down the stretch.
The score would remain 17-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter the Panther offense stalled and was forced to punt. The punt traveled only 12 yards giving the Jackets excellent field position at the Eustis 22 yard line. Jalen Dozier ran for 12 yards out of the wildcat formation. Dozier then was dropped for a loss pushing the Jackets back to the Eustis 24 yard line. Mitchem then dropped back and delivered a pass to Roberts for a 24 yard touchdown, his first touchdown pass of the season. Roberts finished with a total of 126 all purpose yards on the night. Eldridge missed the extra point and the score was 23-0 with 10:19 left in the game.
The Leesburg rushing attack led by Emanuel Nelson, Flint Hicks, Juilliard Roberts, Jr. and Anthony Miller accounted for 376 yards on the ground.
The Jackets defense forced another 3 and out and Leesburg took over at its 40 yard line after a Eustis punt. After a incomplete pass and Miller carry for a one yard loss. Mitchem completed a 33 yard pass to Roberts. On first and ten Hicks carried for no gain. After a couple of short gains Leesburg turned the ball over on downs with 5:15 left in the game.
The next Play Jabari Dunham was picked off by Austin Walker. It was Eustis first turnover on the night and came with 5:04 left in the game.
After a couple of plays the Yellow Jackets were faced with a third long. QB Lee Bennett dropped back to pass and was picked off by Kaderis Walker and he returned it for 45 yards touchdown. It was Eustis only score on the night. The Pat was good and Eustis now trailed 23-7. The Panthers tried a onsides kick but sophomore Demetric Blue last weeks special teams player of the game recovered the football for the Jackets and ended the Panthers comeback hopes.
With the non district win the Jackets have their first 2-0 start since the 2007 season. The Jackets will travel to Cane Country next to take on Vegas Harley and the Mount Dora High School Hurricanes. Eustis drops to 1-1 and will be at home in the Panther Den next week to face the Wildwood High School Wildcats of Sumter County.
Resources
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
Leesburg Started the second half from its 33 yard line. Nelson carried the ball on first down for 14 yards. Nelson recovered his own fumble on the next play for a loss of 2 yards. On second and twelve Miller went up the middle for 2 yards. On third and ten Mitchem dropped back to pass and was sacked by Kaderis Walker. Walker was one of the bright spots on the night for the Panthers coming up big on several defensive plays.
On fourth down a Austin Walker punt only went 14 yards giving Eustis its best field position all night at its own 46 yard line. On first and ten Jabari Dunham completed a pass to Anthony Allen. On the next play Sams ran for 13 yards down to the Jackets 41 yard line. Two plays later a Darnell Hill carry had the Panthers down to the Jackets 14 yard line threatening to score. The Jackets defense came up big once again and caused Hill to fumble. Sophomore Jeremy Jones recovered the fumble for the Jackets ending the Panthers scoring threat.
"We did a good job of giving the offense good field position and keeping them out of the endzone." said second year head coach Randy Trivers.
On first and ten Nelson rambled for 20 yards. The next play Anthony Miller picked up 3 yards to the Leesburg 40. On first and ten Mitchem threw a 8 yard pass to sophomore Lee Bennett to the Leesburg 48 yard line. On third and two Anthony Miller took a handoff and bolted through the Eustis defenders on his way to a 52 yard touchdown run. Miller finished with 65 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the night. Flint Hicks who played an outstanding game at fullback in the I formation, blocked brilliantly on the play and drive. A Elridge kick gave Leesburg a insurmountable 17-0 lead with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
The game was close up until that point but the Jackets depth begin to wear Cannon's young Panther squad down. Most of the Panthers were playing both ways. Coach Trivers has played a lot of kids in order to wear down his opponents. It worked to perfection Friday night as the Jackets look strong going down the stretch.
The score would remain 17-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter the Panther offense stalled and was forced to punt. The punt traveled only 12 yards giving the Jackets excellent field position at the Eustis 22 yard line. Jalen Dozier ran for 12 yards out of the wildcat formation. Dozier then was dropped for a loss pushing the Jackets back to the Eustis 24 yard line. Mitchem then dropped back and delivered a pass to Roberts for a 24 yard touchdown, his first touchdown pass of the season. Roberts finished with a total of 126 all purpose yards on the night. Eldridge missed the extra point and the score was 23-0 with 10:19 left in the game.
The Leesburg rushing attack led by Emanuel Nelson, Flint Hicks, Juilliard Roberts, Jr. and Anthony Miller accounted for 376 yards on the ground.
The Jackets defense forced another 3 and out and Leesburg took over at its 40 yard line after a Eustis punt. After a incomplete pass and Miller carry for a one yard loss. Mitchem completed a 33 yard pass to Roberts. On first and ten Hicks carried for no gain. After a couple of short gains Leesburg turned the ball over on downs with 5:15 left in the game.
The next Play Jabari Dunham was picked off by Austin Walker. It was Eustis first turnover on the night and came with 5:04 left in the game.
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| #9 Austin Walker and #44 Chase O'Donnell and the Jackets defense have held the opposition to only one score in Leesburg's first two games in 2011. |
After a couple of plays the Yellow Jackets were faced with a third long. QB Lee Bennett dropped back to pass and was picked off by Kaderis Walker and he returned it for 45 yards touchdown. It was Eustis only score on the night. The Pat was good and Eustis now trailed 23-7. The Panthers tried a onsides kick but sophomore Demetric Blue last weeks special teams player of the game recovered the football for the Jackets and ended the Panthers comeback hopes.
With the non district win the Jackets have their first 2-0 start since the 2007 season. The Jackets will travel to Cane Country next to take on Vegas Harley and the Mount Dora High School Hurricanes. Eustis drops to 1-1 and will be at home in the Panther Den next week to face the Wildwood High School Wildcats of Sumter County.
Resources
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
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.
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