Yellow Jackets Feel Sting After Coming Oh-so-close To Victory
Sports
CANDLER — Agony. Heart-wrenching agony.
That was the only way to describe the feeling Friday night at Hurricane Field as Leesburg came within inches of breaking what now is a 14-game losing streak before losing to Lake Weir, 21-20.
Clark Saylor, who had kicked two field goals earlier in the game, hooked a 25-yard field goal try just off to the left with 14 seconds remaining, preserving a come-from-behind victory for Lake Weir (2-3).
Leesburg (0-5), which was out of time outs, got into position to try the winning field goal because of a great effort from tight end Ashley Hunt. Hunt caught a pass from Ken Thompson over the middle and struggled and fought his way out of bounds with a Hurricane player hanging on to stop the clock with 54 seconds remaining. The 24-yard gain moved the ball to the 10.
But Thompson, who is the holder on field goal tries as well as quarterback, reinjured his sprained ankle on the play. Unable to return, Hunt had to hold on the field goal attempt. The snap was low, but Hunt got the ball on the block.
''It's kind of disappointing,'' Hunt said. ''It's heartbreaking. This is the closest we have come to a victory this year. But we got a lot of good things out of this game.''
Lake Weir, which trailed most the game, took the lead with 10:04 remaining when quarterback Tim Hicks hit P.J. Andrews on a 12-yard touchdown play. Josh Ward kicked the extra point, giving the Hurricanes the lead.
During the 98-yard drive, Leesburg was flagged for 50 yards in penalties, including two pass interference calls and a roughing the passer.
Leesburg had taken a 20-7 lead early in the third quarter when Randall Hepburn intercepted a pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown.
With the exception of the final 3:40 of the first half, Leesburg dominated play.
Luck went Leesburg's way through much of the first half, something that hasn't happened often during the losing streak.
How lucky was Leesburg's half?
Even when Lake Weir intercepted a pass, the Hurricanes were penalized 15 yards on a clip.
When a bench-clearing fight broke out in the second quarter, Lake Weir had four players ejected, Leesburg only three. The Hurricanes also were flagged for a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct while Leesburg received no penalties.
Place-kicker Clark Saylor, despite having a pulled groin muscle during the week, still kicked two field goals (33 and 27 yards) and boomed two kickoffs into the end zone.
Lake Weir 21, Leesburg 20
Leesburg 10 3 7 0 -20
Lake Weir 0 7 7 7 - 21
L - Roberts 8 run (Saylor kick); L - FG Saylor 33; L - FG Saylor 27; LW - Ward 52 pass from Hicks (Ward kick); L- Hepburn 21 interception return; LW - Ward 62 pass from Hicks (Ward kick); LW - Andrews 12 pass from Hicks (Ward kick).
Resources
Joe Williams
The Sentinel Staff
Orlando Sentinel
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment