A late fumble doesn't hurt the Bears after the Pirates come up short on their final drive.
By DAN COLLINS
Published September 25, 2004
CRYSTAL RIVER - Sometimes, the team that makes more mistakes wins. Anthony Gaynor ran for 118 yards on 11 carries to help propel Central past Crystal River 17-10 on Friday despite two turnovers.
The game appeared well in hand for Central in the fourth quarter.
It led 17-10 behind Steven Bock's 38-yard field goal, Gaynor's 10-yard run and Shane Collard's 2-yard run and had the ball at the Pirates 1. But a bad snap caused a fumble, which the Pirates recovered in the end zone. It was their second fumble recovery of the game.
"I can't deal with fumbles," Central coach John Wilkinson said. "We made some bad plays on offense in the fourth, but our defense came up big. I am really proud of our defense."
Crystal River, which did not commit any turnovers, pounded the ball on the ground against the Bears throughout the game, gaining 182 yards on 47 carries. But it did not take advantage of its opportunities, including its last.
The Pirates, who got a 6-yard touchdown run from Joe Bertine and a 37-yard field goal from Matt Pepito, drove to the Bears 19. But a miscommunication on second and 10 hurt. "We messed up that play," Crystal River coach Craig Frederick said. "We tried sending in a pass play, but there was some miscommunication, and we ended up running the ball. It was a coaching mistake."
Crystal River's run up the middle gained only 2 yards. Another run up the middle on third down gained no yards. Then on fourth down, Kyle Daquanna's pass was incomplete.
