Each week this season, the Times will break down the previous Friday's games and provide a statistical outlook. The breakdown for Week 1:
By SCOTT PURKS and JIM REESE
Published September 15, 2004
Gaither, Armwood, Brandon, and Newsome committed no turnovers in posting victories.
Records aren't kept on such things, but can anyone remember the last time anyone scored six touchdowns in one game? On Friday Armwood's Kalvin Bailey had six against Tampa Bay Tech. In 1997 Robinson's Zain Gilmore led the state with 29 touchdowns as he helped Robinson to an 11-2 record. Gilmore also won "Mr. Football," given each year to the state's top player. It's way too early to tell, but could such things be in store for Mr. Bailey?
Teams getting the first two scores won 90 percent of the time.
Hillsborough was the only team to rally from two scores down to win, 43-42 in double overtime against Middleton. Jimmy Sapp's two-point conversion run sealed the win.
Jefferson defeated Chamberlain 27-21 on a 45-yard hail mary at the final whistle. If Dragon Tertavian Ingram hadn't caught that ball for the score the game would have been the third of 15 county games to go into overtime. Gaither defeated Alonso 23-22 in OT and Hillsborough and Middleton had the triple-OT thriller. Sickles and Robinson also could have gone into overtime if Sickles had chosen to kick an extra point. The Gryphons failed on a two-point conversion in the third quarter. Robinson ended up winning 14-13.
Two-point conversions were successful 14 percent of the time.
Teams lost more than half of their fumbles (22 of 41).
Middleton was the only team to be ahead at the half and lose.
In the Brandon-Wharton game, the teams put the ball on the ground a total of eight times. Each team recovered every one of its own fumbles.
Kickers hit 79 percent of extra points. In 2003 kickers converted 86 percent of PATs.
In 2003, home teams won 49 percent of the time. Friday, that dropped to 40.
There were 11 plays of more than 50 yards for scores Friday. Winners had eight of them.
Teams ahead at the half won 13 of 15.
Teams scoring first won 75 percent.
Robinson and Hillsborough were the only teams to come from behind at the half and win.
In the Gaither-Alonso game 274 yards of penalties were called, more than the combined totals of the Robinson-Sickles, Bloomingdale-Freedom, and East Bay-Plant games.
