ZEPHYRHILLS 26, MULBERRY 12: The Bulldogs force six turnovers and withstand late drama by backup QB.
By Wire services
Published September 13, 2003
MULBERRY - Mulberry couldn't overcome six turnovers in a 26-12 loss to Zephyrhills Friday night at the Phosphate Bowl, but the Panthers did create an anxious moment or two for the visiting Bulldogs late with a pair of touchdowns and a third threat in the final minute.
Down 26-0 in the fourth quarter and down to their fourth quarterback, sophomore Tim London, Mulberry excited the crowd of 750 with his touchdowns of 81 and 30 yards to Antwan Harris.
After a fumble recovery by Bam Donaldson, the Panthers drove to the Zephyrhills 19 with just under a minute left, but could get no closer.
The Panthers (0-2) lost quarterback George Fields with a broken ankle last week against Evangel Christian and Andrew Young with a dislocated shoulder in the first half of Friday night's game.
London was brought up from the junior varsity this week to see playing time at wide receiver.
By the time the Panthers got their offense going, though, they were already down 26-0.
Zephyrhills took control in the final five minutes of the first half when it converted four turnovers into three touchdowns and a 19-0 halftime lead.
A pair of interceptions by Zephyrhills defensive back Bryan Thomas set up the first two touchdowns, a 6-yard run by Travis Mickel and a 24-yard pass from Keith Ostermann to Tony Smiley.
Another interception by Casey Finley set up an 18-yard TD pass from Ostermann to Smiley with 36 seconds left in the half.
The Panthers also lost a fumble at their 19, but that threat for Zephyrhills ended with a missed field goal.
On Zephyrhills' first possession of the second half, Mickle's 2-yard touchdown run capped a four-play, 51-yard drive that put the Bulldogs up 26-0.
