Tarpon makes it look easy in rout

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published October 13, 2006

TARPON SPRINGS - Donnel Engram sat by himself outside the locker room at halftime. When Marquise Gamble was done playing in the third quarter, he sat down on the sideline grass, all alone.

The box score will tell how Tarpon Springs scored 49 points. But how they felt about their final home game, a blowout celebration over River Ridge 49-0, says something a little different about the Spongers.

"Donnel was frustrated they weren't running his way," Tarpon coach George Kotis said. "I just tell him to get out there anyways and get 'em."

On the first defensive play of the second half for Tarpon, Engram (named Times defensive lineman of the county this week) sacked River Ridge's quarterback for a 10-yard loss, one of five tackles for a loss on the night.

More than anything, Gamble said, he was just plain tired. Of the six times the senior standout touched the football, he scored on three of them, producing a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams.

First, a 43-yard quarterback keeper. Then an 80-yard kickoff return to start the second half and put the Knights on a running clock with a 35-0 deficit. He finished by returning his second interception of the game 39 yards for the Spongers' final score. He ran his first pick 44 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back for holding.

"You know, I was just tired. I did a lot of running," Gamble said. "Every time I touch the ball, the first thing I think is touchdown. Touchdown, touchdown, touchdown. Every time."

Defensively, John Swan and George Van Riper helped hold River Ridge (0-7) to 51 yards total. Alex Paino returned an interception for a touchdown. Combined, Calvin Wood and Worthy Jackson had 139 yards on 11 carries in the first half for Tarpon (4-4), and Mark Bannon made all seven point after attempts.

[Last modified October 13, 2006, 01:33:42]