Falcons playoff bound with 'Canes blowout

Solid defense helps them to a third trip in four years.

By DOUG KATES
Published October 29, 2005

DUNEDIN - Falcons coach Mark Everett was confident his team was going to make the playoffs Friday night.

He said the only thing that could have kept them out of a post-season celebration was turnovers and penalties.

Despite those worries, Dunedin (3-1, 6-3) managed to shut out visiting Palm Harbor University 21-0 to clinch second place in Class 5A, District 9.

"The defense was there all night," said Everett."We had our share of (turnovers), but we didn't go ballistic at halftime," he said. "We came back out and played good football."

The Falcons fumbled the ball on their second and third possessions. On the fourth, junior running back Rico Boykins scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 44-yard drive.

Quarterback Worthy Jackson scored on a 5-yard touchdown run in the third for a 14-0 lead and running back Lamar Green scored on a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth to end the scoring.

"I had to get it in the end zone," Green said of his late score. "I'd say I had a pretty good night."

Despite a sloppy first half and nine penalties for 83 yards, Everett wasn't surprised by the decisive win.

"I have a lot of respect for (Palm Harbor)," he said. "The (coaches) have done a great job with those kids. I just felt they couldn't hang with us. Some year they will, but not tonight."

After a 15-year drought without making the playoffs, Dunedin is planning its third trip in the last four years.

Palm Harbor was limited to 74 yards rushing and 21 yards passing. Matt Hyland, a junior, led the Hurricanes with 41 yards on eight carries.

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]