Defense takes over for Hurricanes

Citrus scores in a variety of ways to pull away from Lecanto for a 38-0 victory.

By DAWN REISS
Published September 16, 2006

LECANTO - In a wild fourth quarter, Citrus racked up 28 points, mostly on defensive plays, to win 38-0 against Lecanto.

The game was close at halftime with Citrus leading 7-0 off a Antoin Scriven 4-yard run. Lecanto keyed in on the star running back, who was out last week, to help stop the Hurricanes offense.

Lecanto quarterback Mike Scales connected on passes of 12, 33 and 25 yards but the Panthers failed to score in the red zone.

"Our mistakes kept us from being up at halftime, eating cookies in the lockerroom," Citrus coach Rik Haines said.

After that, Citrus' defense took care of the dirty work.

David Green scored on an intercepted pass in the third quarter. After a Bryan Tobin 47-yard field goal at the end of the third, the 'Canes kept going despite having Ricky Carlson's muffed kick return for a touchdown called back on a penalty.

Three plays later Patrick Kruis scored on a 3-yard run. Then Kruis forced a fumble off a Mike Scales sack that David Bell recovered for a 13-yard touchdown. With the 'Canes up 24-0, Citrus blocked a punt that Ricky Carlson returned for a 23-yard touchdown. To end the night Kruis scored a 7-yard dash into the end zone after runs of 42, 12, helped by a Cameron West 8-yard pass to Geoff Blotz.

Citrus sacked Scales six times. But the Hurricanes also finished with more yards in penalties (186) than the offense had in the first half.

[Last modified September 16, 2006, 02:48:30]