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| The Scoreboard at the Panther Den after Leesburg's come form behind over Eustis Friday night, September 8, 2012 |
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 8, 2012
EUSTIS, FL
- Leesburg traveled across the Dead River bridge for the second week in
a row to take on longtime Lake County rival Eustis High School. The
Panther Den was once again the site of a epic battle between Leesburg
and Eustis football teams Friday night. The game endured many twists
during a hot and humid Central Florida night. A severe lighting storm
delayed the game for 90 minutes, which may have worked to the Yellow
Jackets advantage. It was the 71st meeting for the two schools in the 85
year history in one of the nations most storied high school football
rivalries.
Senior
DE/FB/OLB Jordan Tucker had a big time performance in all phases of the
game for the Jackets (2-0, 0-0). Tucker's play demonstrated why he is
ranked as the 50th best recruit in the state of Florida by the Miami
Herald High School Sports Blog. Tucker and the rest of the Black Jackets
defense helped Leesburg recover from a early 20-0 deficit for a 21-20
win. It was the fifth straight win over the Panthers for the Jackets and
their third straight at the Panther Den.
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| Bryant "Mr. No" Benton enjoys a special moment after Leesburg's win over Eustis at the Panther Den, September 7, 2012 |
The
Jackets have started the season 2-0 for the second straight season.
Third year head coach Randy Trivers is now 3-0 against Eustis during his
tenure at Leesburg High School.
Leesburg
was on the road for the second straight week and Randy Trivers squad
came out a little sluggish. Eustis looked like they were going to blow
Leesburg out early in the contest. Junior QB Jabari Dunham led the
Panther's offensive down the field on their first possession of the
game. The Eustis coaching staff saw something on the right side of
Leesburg defense and exploited it on the first drive. They repeatedly
came up with big plays on third and fourth down going to the right side
of the Yellow Jackets defense. Senior running back Darnell Hill was the
workhorse on the drive. Hill carried the ball 6 times for 58 yards
before Dunham finished the drive off with a 15 yard scoring strike to
senior wide receiver Anthony Allen. Junior placekicker Grant Reynolds
PAT was blocked by Jordan Tucker leaving the score at Eustis 6, Leesburg
0 with 8:44 left in the first quarter of play. It was the second week
in a row that Tucker had a block kick on special teams.
Leesburg
received the kickoff and started it's first possession from it's own 25
yard line. Four plays later a Leesburg pass was tipped by senior DJ
Scott and intercepted by senior Darius Anderson. Anderson returned the
interception down to the Jackets 46 yard line. The play ignited the home
crowd at the sold out Panther Den.
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| Tanner Long, Chandler Strong, Ben Peppers and Allen Arnst celebrate after Leesburg's win over Eustis Friday night, September 7, 2012 |
Dunham
starting his second straight Eustis vs. Leesburg game at quarterback,
showed poise once again on the ensuing drive by the panthers. He showed
athleticism and elusiveness leading the panthers down the field by
attacking the right side of the Jackets defense. Dunham ended the drive
with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Hill. The touchdown pass was the second
of the night for Dunham and the fourth of the season. Reynolds PAT was
good putting the Panthers out front 13-0 with 4:17 left in the first
quarter. Dunham and Hill combined for 100 yards rushing on 23 carries in
the first half. Dunham was on fire at this point in the game.
Leesburg's
next possession started with a first down run for no gain. The next
play the Jackets attempted a pass and the pass was once again
intercepted by the McKinley Kirkpatrick his second on the season.
McKinley returned the interception to the Jackets 36 yard line. Eustis
defense has created 10 turnovers on the season. There seemed to be a mix
up on the play between the quarterback and receiver there wasn't a
Jacket within 15 yards of the pass.
Dunham
quickly went back to work and on 2nd and 7 from the Jackets 33 yard
line found senior wide receiver Anthony Allen wide open across the
middle for an 18 yard gain. On the next play Dunham kept the ball on a
option play for nine yards down to the Jackets 6 yard line. A couple of
plays later Eustis lined up in a double tight end formation with three
running backs. This time Dunham ran the option to the left side of the
field with Hill taking the pitch 9 yards for a touchdown. Hill made four
Jackets missed him on the way to the end zone and the sold out crowd
went into a frenzy at the Panther Den. Reynolds converted the PAT and
Eustis had a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter.
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| Leesburg 3rd year head coach Randy Trivers record is now 16-6 at Leesburg. |
On
the next Leesburg possession the Panther defense cause a fumble and
took over possession of the football. It was Jackets third turnover of
the half.
Eustis
failed to capitalized on the Yellow Jacket miscue when Dunham was
picked off by Trevon Bell. The interception was the third of the season
for Dunham and slowed down the Eustis attack.
Leesburg
would take over and go on a long drive aided by a roughing the passer
penalty by the Panthers. Leesburg went back to the ground gain and
junior running back Bryant "Mr. No. Benton begin chewing up large chunks
of yardage on the ground. Tucker entered the game as a fullback and
seem to help get the running game untracked. The Jackets moved into
Panther territory for the first time in the game and Adrian Falconer
took a screen pass and went 49 yards for a score. Junior James Eldridge
PAT was good and Leesburg was inching it's way back into the ball game.
On
the next Panther possession Tucker came up with a sack on third down
forcing Eustis to punt on fourth down. The Jackets special teams blocked
the punt and senior OLB/P/RB Austin Walker scooped up the football and
returned for a Yellow Jacket touchdown. The PAT made the score Eustis
20, Leesburg 14 just before halftime. The Eustis crowd was now quiet as
the Jackets were now back into the game.
The
score remained 20-14 late into the fourth quarter when the Leesburg
offense went to work on the ground. Tucker, Walker and Benton all
carried the ball on the drive taking precious time off the clock. Senior
quarterback Undra Mitchem ran a quarterback sneak from one yard out to
tie the game. Eldridge PAT was good giving the Jackets a 21-20 lead with
5:15 left in the contest.
Eustis
moved the ball down to the Leesburg 46 yard line on its final
possession. On 4th and 2 Dunham pass was incomplete and the Jackets had
comeback from being down 21-20 to secure it's second win of the season.
Eustis (1-1, 0-0) will travel to Wildwood to next Friday in a non-district game at Wildcat Field.
Leesburg
will host Mount Dora in its 2012 Home opener in a non-district game at
Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium next week.
Resources
Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
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
100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748
Leesburg Florida 34748
Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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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