Alonso claims first district title

Ravens douse Chamberlain's offense, then their coach in historic 14-8 win.

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published October 13, 2006

TAMPA - Roughly 10 minutes after their 14-8 Homecoming triumph Thursday against Chamberlain, a couple of Alonso players stood waiting - water cooler in hands - for Coach Mike Heldt to emerge from the locker room for his customary dousing.

Perhaps they were unaware such celebrations typically occur while a coach still is on the field. Then again, the Ravens can be forgiven for this breach of triumphal postgame etiquette. This was, after all, their first district title celebration.

The Ravens (5-2, 2-0) are Class 5A, District 6 champs, thanks to King's 20-10 win at Sickles, not to mention a defense that held the Chiefs (2-5, 1-1) scoreless on consecutive fourth-quarter possessions inside Alonso's red zone.

"Just don't let 'em get the big play," said Ravens junior defensive end Jamal Crook, who had at least two sacks, a fumble recovery and a hit on quarterback Robert Charies' arm that sent his would-be Hail Mary fluttering near the line of scrimmage on the Chiefs' last play.

"They can get all the 5-yarders they want to, but we shut 'em down around the end zone."

That bend-but-don't-break approach was needed twice in the last five minutes. On its second possession of the fourth quarter, Chamberlain (334 total yards) moved 69 yards to Alonso's 11, but Charies was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 sneak with 3:53 remaining.

On the ensuing play, Chiefs junior Dakota Mack recovered a Kendrick Hopkins fumble, giving Chamberlain a first down at Alonso's 12. Kenny Allen (19 carries, 133 yards) gained nine yards on first down, but Chamberlain was stuffed on the next two rush attempts.

A false start on fourth-and-1, and ensuing incompletion, gave Alonso possession. David Mullen's punt was blocked in the end zone for a Chiefs safety with 34 seconds to play, but Chamberlain's offense could do nothing after the ensuing free kick.

"Our defense rose to the occasion," Heldt said.

"(The fumble was) a huge letdown, but I tell you what, the defense went out there and did it again."

[Last modified October 13, 2006, 01:35:56]