- LEVY COUNTY JOURNAL SPORTS & RECREATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 Page 13 Luck o’ the Irish takes Red Devils down BY NEAL FISHER Sports WRITER Despite rebounding from a horrible start to finish 5- 2 last year, the Red Devils’ nation circled this year’s game against Ocala Trinity Christian when the 2006 schedule was released. With their 39-point loss last year to the Celtics still fresh in their memories, a victory over the state’s number one ranked and class 2B defending champions would have gone a long way in proving they are indeed among the top teams inclass3A. And for three periods, the Red Dogs did just that, standing toe to toe with the champions, taking their best shots and dishing out their own variety of blows, but when the Celtics got their second wind late in the third period, and put together a. furious combination of punches in the final period, it~ was enough for them to weld - together a 28-10 victory. “Tt was a testament to how the kids played and their attitude,” head coach Jamie Baker said. “To be able to play with the defending champs and a team _ that might be the best team we play all year will definitely gave us confidence heading into district action. It was.a game that doesn’t have any bearing on us getting into the playoffs. So, it was a good test and while it showed we still need’ to work on some things, we are definitely on the right road and have made a lot of progress.” Even though they lacked the experience and size of Trinity, the Red Devils were hanging tough, trailing by a slim. 14-10 margin midway through the third quarter. . Using its speed and the atmosphere of a community eager to prove their team has come a long way since last year, the Red Devils disrupted enough of Trinity’s offense and read a sufficient enough amount of the Celtics’ offense to minimize the damage of their big plays as well their talented quarterback, John Brantley. Defensive back Jiwan James had also negated star wideout Dion Lecorn’s skills. Williston had also made several big plays on defense, ending various opportunities for the visitors to score and putting their team in the position to pull off the upset. However, the visitors made several defensive adjustments at halftime, which stymied the Red Devils’ offense in the second half. And with 8:10 remaining in the third quarter, Trinity took over the ball at their own 17. For the first time in the game they mounted an assault of consecutive plays, consisting of good offensive timing and rhythm. An eight-yard pass completion, followed by a four. yard run by Derrick Dempsey netted a _ first down for Ocala. Then a 31-yard jaunt by Dempsey . and a subsequent five-yard encroachment penalty on Williston landed the Celtics at the Red Devils’ 30-yard line. Even though, the Celtics earned every yard they gained during the game, through their size and experience, control of the line of scrimmage and style of play slowly, but surely as well as methodically shifted to Trinity’s side during the drive. , A seven-yard touchdown pass from Brantley to Patrick Nelson with 6:57 left in the period capped off the drive and extended the lead to 21- 10. Dempsey’s 31-yard trip began when :the offensive line physically bored a hole between the tackles as he ran straight up the middle. Following the touchdown, it looked. like the Red Devils,,. while stumbling, were still going to answer the touchdown. The offense started at its own 20-yard line on.the ensuing drive and moved inside the opponents: ten-yard line. With. the opportunities to reestablish their style fleeting WILLISTON HIGH SCHOOL: Varsity Football Friday 9/15 ‘home vs. Dunielion: Junior Varsity Football Thursday 9/14 home vs. Dixie Co.. Volleyball Thursday 9/14 away vs. Newberry | Monday 9/18 home vs. Bronson Tuesday 9/19 away vs. Ft. White Thursday 9/21 away vs. Dixie Co. BRONSON HIGH SCHOOL Varsity Football Friday 9/15 Branford Middle School Football 9/12 Keystone Heights 9/21 @ St. John’s Middle School Volleyball The Week Ahea 9/12 Trenton 9/19 Belle 9/21 @ Yankeetown Junior Varsity Volleyball 9/12 Trenton 9/18 @ Williston 9/19 Belle 9/21 Countryside Varsity volleyball 9/14-9/16 @ Keswick tournament ‘9/18 @ Williston 9/19 Bell 9/21 Countryside CHIEFLAND HIGH SCHOOL Varsity Football . Friday 9/15 @ Union County: Junior Varsity Football Thursday 9/14 @ Newberry Volleyball 9/14 @ Ft. White 9/16 @ Crystal River (River Classic) 9/19 @ Columbia High 9/21 Newberry i Cross Country Weds.. 9/20 @ Yankeetown Tues. 10/10 @ Cedar Key Weds. 10/18 @ Williston (County Meet) Golf Tues. 9/19 Crystal River Tues. 9/26 Branford Weds. 9/27 @ Williston Want To Thank You For Your Support and Prayers Please phone or write with your concerns and suggestions Address: © Phone: Email: P. O. Box 1640 Chiefland, FL 32644 (352) 493-4996 or (352) 949-0094 nbcommish @bellsouth.net Thanks To You All Pd. Pol. Adv.approved by Nancy Bell Democrat, County Commissioner, District 2 and regain some of the momentum back, Rodrigo Quezada’s field goal attempt on the first play of the fourth quarter was blocked. Taking over the ball following the blocked field goal, Ocala used the well- timed pass and play action to compliment a running game that was taking its physical toll on Williston’s defense. — The Red Devils’ offense watched helplessly as Ocala’s offense gained several first downs and chewed up almost six minutes of the remaining time. When the Red Devils finally regained possession of the ball, it was at their ten- yard line and they needed to score twice within six minutes. A Williston drew __ first blood. Following a Celtics’ fumble on the first play from scrimmage, the Red Devils scored on the next play when running back Travis Evans bolted around the right end for a 36-yard touchdown run. He scampered to the outside and ran down the sideline to give the Red Devils a 7-0 lead, 24 seconds into the game. The Celtics drove to the Red Devils’ 4-yard line before King Quinn’s interception off of a tipped pass in the end zone kept them off the scoreboard. However, with 4:45 left in the first quarter, they tied the score at 7-7 with a 34-yard Brantley to Nelson touchdown pass, — which followed the Celtics’ sack of Devin Timmons on third and short. The Red Devils regained the lead at 10-7 on a 47-yard Quezada field goal, which began at the opponents’ 44 yard-line, following a partially blocked Ocala punt in the end zone. The Celtics took the lead:for good when Brantley’ connected with Nelson for the second time, this time for 15-yards in front. of the field goal. Running by committee, {DASH PLAQUES TO THE FIRST Check out ; Authentic t Hae rie MUSIC.* ‘FOOD poor” PRIZES the home team’s multiple set offense gained 158 yards rushing, but was able to net only 34 yards in the second half. Timmons completed five of 14 passes for 60. Todd Brown caught four passes for 61 yards. Brantley finished an unspectacular 8-of-17 _ for. 110 yards, but his three touchdowns. were a primary reason for the lost. While Williston contained Lecorn, they could not put the brakes on Nelson, who caught three touchdowns. And. with starting tailback Rudell Small out with a foot injury, Dempsey and Chris Allen gained 240 yards combined on the ground. The final margin of victory came when Allen slashed through Williston’s defense for a 45-yard touchdown run AUTO PART? _of CHIEFLAND SATURDAY SEPT 23m 2006 AGES « “10:00am ~ 4: 00pm __ AT THE NAPA AUTO. PARTS, STORE " : CHIEFLAND FLA . 352- 493- 2533 ae ‘Perhaps with less than a minute to play. “It was a tough, hard fought ball game,” Baker said. “They just simply had more depth, which allowed them to control the ball in the second half and outlast us. But we did move the ball this year, gained some yardage, earned 13 first downs and scored ten points. We didn’t do any of those things last year. This year, we came up with some big plays when we forced two turnovers in the opening minutes, which set the tone. most importantly. we held them to under thirty points. In the end, they just had too much depth. For example, they had three wide receivers over 6’3”. Holding one or two wide receivers is possible, but three players over 63” is difficult for any team.” THE TRI- couNTY CRUISERS PREM, ne std ew JUDGED SHOW AWARDS Got a story idea? Call Carolyn at 490-4462