Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Hudson Middle's win streak ends

By STEVE LEE
Published September 17, 2006

HUDSON - Tony Qualtiere knew his team would lose eventually, but the Hudson Middle coach thought Tuesday's game slipped away and could have been won.

Instead, Bayonet Point overcame an eight-point halftime deficit for a 22-14 victory that snapped the Cougars' 11-game winning streak.

"I did think we would win," Qualtiere said, alluding to two dropped passes by Hudson receivers in the fourth quarter. "Bayonet Point hung tough."

"That's always a great football team," Bayonet Point coach Mike Smith said. "I know it means a lot to the kids."

Trailing 14-6 at the break, the Patriots got a third-quarter touchdown on a Tony Perez punt return before Hunter Quinnell's second scoring run of the game.

Quarterback Mike Wood kept two Bayonet Point drives alive, one with a fumble recovery and another on a 14-yard scramble on fourth down.

Late in the fourth quarter, linebacker Preston Dameron recovered a fumble to preserve the win.

"That clinched it," Smith said.

Hudson got scoring runs from Dylan Buono and Jamal Branco.

Seven Springs improved to 3-0 with its second shutout, 38-0 over first-year Paul Smith.

Running backs Dennis Riccelli and Ricky Trinidad, running behind an offensive line anchored by right tackle Blake Edwards, combined for five rushing touchdowns. Riccelli gained 175 yards and scored three times.

Michael Reynolds scored on a quarterback keeper and cornerback Ashley Brandt had two fumble recoveries.

Pine View had the highest point total last week, defeating Centennial 43-8.

The game was closer than the final score indicated, Pine View coach Andy Olson said, noting a 22-8 lead early in the third quarter.

A turnover set the tone early with the Panthers' Jason Tello forcing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by teammate Chais Chavis.

Jamal Jones had two scoring runs for Pine View, one set up by Ryan Lane's interception. Teammate David Daubert ran for a touchdown and had another on a pass from B.B. Weatherford. Alex Rodriguez added a touchdown run.

In the other middle school games, Chasco beat River Ridge 20-6; Pasco defeated John Long 14-0 and Weightman downed Stewart 38-6.

At the junior varsity level, Ridgewood edged Wiregrass Ranch 7-6 for its first win in four games.

"It's good to get it against a good team like that, too," Rams coach Kent Reed said.

Ridgewood's touchdown came on a 40-yard pass from Jimmy Mattos to Adam Mendes.

Zephyrhills had its three-game winning streak snapped with its first loss, 13-0 to River Ridge. The Bulldogs defeated Mitchell, Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel by a combined 66-25 points before Thursday's loss.

Contact Steve Lee at lee@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 17, 2006, 06:36:26]