Defense sustains Raiders

By JARRETT GUTHRIE
Published October 13, 2006

EAST BAY - Plant City won its third straight and is 2-0 in district play after defeating East Bay 23-14 Thursday.

The Raiders opened with 23 unanswered points and held the Indians scoreless until the fourth quarter. Plant City coach Kevin Kelly credited his defense for the win and said they were completely prepared for East Bay's wishbone offense.

"We did nothing special; we just played physical," Kelly said. "We know what (coach) Brian Thornton's calling; it was just good assignment football."

Plant City forced an Indians punt on the first drive of the game and on offense, Jacari Bennett scored on a 49-yard run up the left sideline on the Raiders' third offensive play.

After recovering a fumble, the Raiders added a field goal from Jonathon Dupree to take a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

Plant City scored again on a 27-yard run from Sirchauncy Holloway. On the Indians' next drive, the Raiders recovered another fumble. This time the mistake was returned 32 yards for a touchdown by defensive back Dexter Washington.

Bennett led the Raiders with 18 carries for 115 yards, and Holloway had 86 yards rushing.

Both Indians touchdowns came in the fourth - on a 39-yard pass from Rex Ballenger to Chip Burnett, then an 80-yard drive was capped by Andre Simpson's 6-yard touchdown run.

[Last modified October 13, 2006, 01:25:20]