Lake Weir Wades Through Rain, Leesburg Defense

Lake sports

October 05, 1996|By Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff

LEESBURG — Lake Weir, a team whose offensive reputation the past two years has been to move the ball through the air, was forced to go to a ground attack as it rained, both literally and figuratively, on Leesburg's Homecoming Parade Friday night at Memorial Field/H.O. Dabney Stadium.

Tailback Donavon Taylor rushed for 148 yards on 23 carries, including 11 yards on the game-winning touchdown run with seven minutes remaining as the Hurricanes (3-2) took a 13-7 victory from Leesburg (0-5) in a non-district game played before about 1,500 rain-soaked fans.

Leesburg, already a battered team, lost another key player in the first quarter when running back/defensive back Bishon Roberts was knocked unconscious tackling Lake Weir running back Donavon Taylor with 4:41 remaining.

Roberts lay motionless on the field for a few minutes and the game was delayed 20 minutes for an ambulance, which transported him to Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Leesburg team doctor John Cowin said Roberts had movement in his limbs before being placed in the ambulance. Roberts was not expected to be admitted to the hospital.

Leesburg's long injury list includes tailback Ky Littles (broken leg), quarterback Shaun Cunningham (sprained right ankle) and tackle Mike Palmer (knee).

Cunningham didn't start the game but came in on Leesburg's third offensive series, replacing Dustin Corkhill. He went out two other times after the ankle was reinjured but returned.

Coach Ed Hoffman wouldn't use the injuries as an excuse.

''It's hard when you lose kids like that,'' Hoffman said. ''We have kids with a lot of guts. Cunningham was playing hurt.

''We just didn't play a good game tonight, that is the bottom line. We have a lot of soul searching to do because we are a much better team than this.''

The Hurricanes scored two plays after Roberts' injury.

But Leesburg tied the game at 7 with one of its big defensive plays of the half: an interception by defensive back Derrald Tucker.

Resources

Joe Williams

The Sentinel Staff

Orlando Sentinel

www.orlandosentinel.com

October 05, 1996

Articles provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen

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.