Spongers open it up

Tarpon Springs goes deep into the playbook to take down Springstead.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published October 1, 2005

SPRING HILL - It was a contrast in opposites all the way around, from team versus team to perception versus reality. What was supposed to be a tight battle between a potent Springstead offense and a stifling Tarpon Springs defense instead turned out to be a one-sided fight that the high-powered Spongers could easily have won by more.

Using a multi-formation attack and every trick in its playbook, Tarpon Springs established itself as the undisputed Class 4A, District 8 favorite with a 28-13 victory.

"We knew this was probably the biggest game of the year," said Spongers quarterback Matt Selby, who completed 11-of-16 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. "We knew it was going to be tough."

But, in the end, it wasn't as tough as one may have thought. Led by Calvin Wood's bruising running and Selby's timely passing, Tarpon Springs outgained Springstead 368 yards to 152.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Spongers (5-1, 2-0 in the district) used a little chicanery that resulted in a 32-yard reception by tight end Theo Kappas. Tarpon Springs lined up in the old "swinging gate" formation, snapping the football to the running back, who lateralled to Selby, who found Kappas down the left sideline.

The play eventually led to a 1-yard touchdown run by the quarterback that gave the Spongers an early 7-0 lead.

Late in the first quarter, the Eagles (3-2, 0-1) forced Tarpon Springs running back Alex Paino to fumble on his own 15, setting up 1-yard touchdown run by running back Mike King that momentarily tied the game at 7.

In the fourth quarter, the Spongers fumbled on the Springstead goal line. They ended the game by taking a knee on the Eagles' 12-yard line.

"We probably should have scored more points," Spongers coach Bruce Buck said.

Early in the second quarter, Wood broke off a 29-yard run, then scored on a 27-yard screen pass to put Tarpon Springs up 14-7. Later, a 39-yard pass to Jimmy Thurber, who faked as if he was running off the field before the snap, set up a 9-yard touchdown run by Wood that gave the Spongers a 21-13 lead.

Wood finished with 161 all-purpose yards (134 of them on the ground) and two touchdowns.

[Last modified October 1, 2005, 01:46:16]