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| Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Home of the Jackets, Leesburg Florida |
By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 25, 1993
LEESBURG - Clint Hart said the motivation was simple.
"We've never sung on their field before," South Sumter's quarterback said as he stood on the turf of Leesburg's H.O. Daney Field. "We just wanted to say we sung on their field."
The Raiders had just finished a robust chorus of "Amazing Grace." the song they use as an exclamation mark after every victory. That they were singing in Leesburg was largely a tribute to the amazing grace of wide receiver Dovie Gibson.
Gibson, playing with what he suspected to be a cracked rib, soared above the end zone to snare Hart's 29 yard touchdown pass, with six seconds remaining Friday, giving the Raiders a 14-7 victory that left the Leesburg stands dumbstruck.
It was Class 3A South Sumter's first football win against Leesburg, and the Raiders' delirious celebration afterward reflected the milestone.
"We told the kids when we came over here," Let's make sure they know we have a football team," South Sumter Coach Inman Sherman said. "That's was our No.1 goal. We wanted to show people we could play football".
South Sumter (4-0) waited long enough before driving the point home. The Raiders trailed 7-0 when they took possession at the Leesburg 44-yard line with just 2:54 remaining. Hart then engineered a frantic drive highlighted by Gibson's sprawling, 26-yard reception.
Hart finished the drive by taking a sneak three yards into the end zone, and Richie Langford's kick tied the game with 1:21 remaining.
Leesburg, which has completed just one pass all season, didn't fall on the ball and wait for overtime. But on the Jackets second play, Brian Hepburn threw a pass over the middle and directly in the arms of Hart, who returned the interception to the Leesburg 44 with 42 seconds remaining .
Switching back to offense, Hart then turned a potential sack into a big play, dishing a shovel pass to Clifton Baker, who moved to the Leesburg 29 before getting out of bounds. After an incompletion, Leesburg Brent Mauriell couldn't hold on to what would have been his third interception and the Raiders line up again with 12 seconds remaining.
Hart dropped back, looked to the left and sailed a spiral toward the end zone, where Gibson was running deep post pattern. The junior, who finished with four catches for 80 yards, leaped high into the air to grab the ball just before three defenders collided with him.
"I said, I've got to make a good play," Gibson said, describing his thoughts before the catch. "We were confident. That's all we dwell on, confidence."
Gibson said he hurt his ribs on a previous reception and had to get permission from the South Sumter team doctor to reenter the game, Sherman was glad he did.
"Dovie's a competitor," Sherman said. "He went up there and took the ball away from two people. Clint Hart took a beating at quarterback, and he just kept getting up and making great plays."
"When the coach called the play. I knew it was open," said Hart, who lined up in the shotgun on the final two drives. "I just threw it up there and he went and got it. He's the receiver I look for the most."
Leesburg (2-2) dominated the line of scrimmage for three quarters, especially on it first possession of the second half. Making use of a size advantage in the line, the Jackets moved 62 yards in 12 plays before Hepburn scored on a 1 yard keeper.
The Jackets outrushed the Raiders 195-80 despite playing without injured tailback Calvin Walker. Leesburg's Aaron Blake had 103 yards on 22 carries before going out with an apparent dislocated elbow in the fourth quarter.
Leesburg also played without preseason All-American defensive tackle Henry Wright. Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said Wright is out at least two weeks for disciplinary reasons. But Hoffman used no excuses.
"I thought that kid (Gibson) made a hell of a catch in the end zone, and I don't think we could have covered him any better." Hoffman said. "That's the type of team they are, a long-gain team on one of two plays.
"Our defense played a hell of a game. We have nothing to be ashamed of."
Sherman agreed.
Sherman agreed.
"We know we were fortunate," he said. "I'm very, very impressed with their defense."
But thanks to Gibson, the lasting impression of the game was the sound of the Raiders singing on Leesburg's turf.
S. Sumter 14, Leesburg 7
at Leesburg
South Sumter 0 0 0 14 - 14
Leesburg 0 0 7 0 - 7
Third Quarter
Lee - Hepburn 1 run (Mauriell Kick)
Fourth Quarter
SS - Hart 3 run (Langford Kick)
SS - Gibson 29 pass from Hart (Langford Kick)
SS Lees
First Downs 10 11
Rushes-yards 28-80 51-195
Yards Passing 115 0
Passes 6-16-2 0-3-1
Punts-Avg 4-47 6-32
Fumbles Lost 1-0 2-0
Penalties yards 6-53 3-15
Individual Statistics
Rushing - S. Sumter: Hart 9-15, Hall 6-14, Gavin 6-29, Baker 6-21, Richardson 1-1; Leesburg: Blake 22-103, Hepburn 10-14, Tucker 10-71, Lacey 4-8
Passing - S. Sumter: Hart 6-16-2, 115 yards Leesburg: Hepburn 0-3-1
Receiving - S. Sumter: Gibson 4-80, Simmons 1-20 Baker 1-15
Resources
Gary WhiteDaily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 25, 1993
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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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