DeLand blitzes FPC, 33-14

BEACON PHOTO/ROGER GILMORE
We let the ’Dogs out! — That was the story here Friday night at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, as the DeLand Bulldog gridders are about to come out of the tunnel and break through their cheerleaders’ sign, to do battle with the visiting Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs. When the evening was over, “Our ’Dogs” had recorded their second win of the young season, trumping the visitors, 33-14.

Three 80-yard scoring drives

By Roger Gilmore
BEACON SPORTS EDITOR

posted Sep 17, 2009 - 11:35:09am

Friday, for the third-straight week, the DeLand Bulldogs will be loading up their offensive and defensive game, when they take the Spec Martin Memorial Stadium gridiron in quest of victory No. 3 against the visiting Daytona Beach Seabreeze SandCrabs (2-0), who are coming off a 33-13 win over New Smyrna Beach last week.

DeLand’s one-two offensive punch of senior Shontrelle Johnson and junior Pop Saunders, along with some assistance from their teammates, amassed 452 yards on the ground, while the defensive unit limited the visitors to less than 100 yards, both on the ground and through the air.

The hosting ’Dogs used the full game to work the scoreboard, as they hit the end zone in each of the four quarters. The visitors hit their scores in the second and third periods.

The first possession of the game for DeLand resulted in the first TD. Three passes were used by Saunders on the drive, and he put on his moves for a key 25-yard effort. Saunders connected with Dramon Grady for an 18-yard scoring toss, and Taylor Church made it 7-0.

Late in the opening quarter, FPC moved the ball downfield following a fumble recovery. On the first play of the second quarter, the visitors tallied and tied the game at 7-7.

The following kickoff sailed into the end zone, but DeLand moved the needed 80 yards with just nine plays, while picking up three first downs, as Saunders scored from 9 yards out, with 7:44 remaining before the intermission. Church made it 14-7. Johnson showed some of his special moves with runs of 18 yards and 13 yards on the drive, and Saunders added another for 19.

Just before halftime, it looked as those the hosts would tally again; however, the FPC defense rose up and held at their 1.

Second half

After the second-half kickoff sailed into the end zone, it was DeLand with another 80-yard drive, that took 10 plays this time.

Four more first downs were rolled up before the victors went ahead 20-7, with 7:01 left in the quarter.

The score came when junior Achim Johnson blasted the final 24 yards. He, along with S. Johnson and Saunders, kept the ball on the ground for the entire drive.

FPC wasn’t ready to toss in the towel; however, the visitors blocked a punt, recovered the ball, and went the distance for the 6-pointer and PAT, closing the gap to 20-14, with 3:49 to play in the quarter.

Again the kickoff found the end zone, and for the third time in the game, the DHS gridders used an 80-yard scoring drive, with 11 plays this time. S. Johnson capped the march streaking up the middle for the final 16 yards with 11 minutes to play, and it was 28-14. On the next possession, Saunders cruised the final 33 yards of the drive, and Church rounded out the scoring.

Still, as the game was winding down, DeLand took a knee rather than push for another TD. S. Johnson and Saunders combined for nearly 400 yards on the ground, while the “Big D” of DeLand limited the visitors to less than 100 yards on the ground and in the air, with 81 yards and 86 yards, respectively.

DeLand cut down its penalties to just seven for 55 yards, while reeling off 23 yards to just 4 for FPC. DHS did lose a couple of fumbles.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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