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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Despite having 17 staples in his head, Leesburg offensive coach Damon Eichhorst, bottom right, talks to his offensive line during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. Eichorst was airlifted from the crash when he and two other coaches were involved in a serious crash en route to last weeks game against South Sumpter high school. |
ORLANDO - Leesburg traveled to Trojans Field for the first time since 1980 to face undefeated Orlando Maynard Evans last night in a Class 7A District 4 matchup. Penalties and turnovers hampered the Yellow Jackets in the first half and they found themselves in a 13-0 hole early. Evans held on after a valiant Jacket rally to clinch the Class 7A District 4 Championship and a FHSAA Playoff birth in a 20-10 win over Leesburg.
Evans will host a home playoff game as a result of being district champion. The undefeated Trojans had not been in the FHSAA Playoffs since 2001. Meanwhile Leesburg lost its chance to move into a three way tie for first place in the district and need some help to secure a runnerup finish. The Jackets are still mathematically alive for a FHSAA Class 7A Playoff spot but will need to win Friday night against Groveland South Lake to force a tie for second place. Leesburg will need South Lake to beat Clermont East Ridge to force a three way tie for second place.
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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Evans' principal Dr. Christianson gives head coach Chip Gierke the game ball following a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. |
"These guys are probably are a good looking of a squad that we've seen all year," said second year Leesburg High School head coach Randy Trivers. "When you look at their athleticism they are very impressive."
It was emotional game for the Trojans and their head coach Chip Gierke. Gierke's Mother passed away during their game against Winter Park. Gierke attended the funeral on Thursday morning and his starting quarterback junior Levar Robinson status was questionable for the game. It was Evans defense that rattled the Jackets holding the Leesburg offense to it lowest scoring output since September 17, 2010.
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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Balloons are released in memory of Evans head coach Chip Gierke's mother, Joan, who passed away last week while coach Gierke, left, was coaching against Winter Park following a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. |
"They are very impressive their defense and defensive front are collegiate like, when you talk about their size and length their ability to move," said Trivers.
After both teams started out the first quarter sluggish on offense Evans took over the football at its won 39 yard line after a Leesburg punt on first down the Trojans were called for a illegal motion penalty setting up a first and 15 from the Leesburg 34 yard line. After a 5 yard carry from running back Bryon Walker, Robinson dropped back and hit Dominic Walker with a 61 yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game. The P.A.T. by Alberto Esposito was no good and Evans had a 6-0 lead with 1:13 left in the first quarter.
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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Leesburg's D'Maurl Jones (15) runs during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. |
On the next Jacket possession senior running back Emmanuel Nelson was hit hard by a Trojan defender and fumbled the football. The turnover set Evans up with excellent field position deep in Jacket territory.
The "Black Jackets" defense came up big once again with 2012 Stanford Commit OLB Noor Davis Leesburg had dodged a bullet with 7:54 left in the second quarter of the game. Davis coming up with a big sack on Robinson during the drive. Evans attempted a 42 yard field goal which was short and no good and
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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Evans' running back Brandon English (7) runs past Leesburg's Zack Mahan (19) during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. |
Leesburg took over on downs, after a couple of plays for losses nelson took a handoff from junior quarterback Undra Mitchem, Jr. and ran towards the line of scrimmage and attempted a flea flicker. Nelson's pitched the ball back to Mitchem who took a vicious hit from the Evans defense and fumbled the football. Once again a turnover had stopped the Jackets offense and gave the football to Evans in Leesburg territory with 10:41 left in the half.
Four plays later the Trojans offense had a first and goal inside the one yard line and one play later Evans was in the end zone the P.A.T. was good giving them a 13-0 lead.
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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Evans' team members wore pink socks in support of breast cancer awareness during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. |
The most controversial play of the game happened just before halftime with Evans holding a 13 to 7 lead. Tre Perry picked off a Robinson pass and returned it 90 yards for a apparent go ahead touchdown for Leesburg. It was not to be as the officials called a personal foul on the Jackets and the touchdown was taken off the scoreboard. That play seemed to take all of the fight out of the Yellow Jackets as they would eventually end of losing the game 20 to 10 and a chance at first place in the district.
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| ( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Evans' Aquil Donovan (21) stops Leesburg's Trevone Perry (8) during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10. |
Resources
Photos by:
Reinhold Matay
Special to the Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Sentinel
October 21, 2011
Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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.
Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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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