Dunedin defense dominates Spongers

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published September 2, 2006

TARPON SPRINGS - Dunedin coach Mark Everett entered this season with a great deal of apprehension about his defense. After all, the Falcons lost eight starters from that side of the ball so there were far more questions than answers.

"We didn't really know what we had going in," Everett said.

But after two games, the veteran coach is starting to find out.

Dunedin's defense forced seven turnovers and scored a touchdown as the visiting Falcons rolled to a 34-0 win against Tarpon Springs.

"We've always prided ourselves on defense," Everett said. "And that unit has stepped up big for us so far."

After giving up seven points to Seminole in the opener, Dunedin proved even stingier this week. The secondary picked off Spongers' quarterback Danny Reyes four times and recovered three fumbles. Robby Mincey picked up one of those fumbles and scampered 89 yards for a fourth-quarter score.

Matt Gilghrest, playing in his second game after sitting out last season with a back injury, intercepted a pass and also caught a 20-yard touchdown toss from Terry Nnatubeugo to put Dunedin ahead 7-0 in the first quarter. It was the second week in a row Gilghrest picked off a pass and scored a touchdown.

"We tried to take advantage of mismatches," Everett said. "We got one with Matt on their corner and he's a tremendous athlete."

Another mismatch the Falcons exploited gave them a 14-0 halftime lead.

Nnatubeugo read the safety blitz and lofted a perfect seam route to Jarvis Parsons, who raced 85 yards untouched for the score.

Nnatbeugo finished 3-of-6 for 120 yards and a pair of scores. Tailback Daris Bellamy rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. Tarpon Springs' Calvin Wood finished with 149 yards on 15 carries.

"I wear my heart on my sleeve," Tarpon Springs coach George Kotis said. "And this is one of the few times after a loss where I can say I'm proud of the kids because they never quit out there tonight."

[Last modified September 2, 2006, 07:01:25]