Sports

Preps

East Lake 35, PHU 7

East Lake keeps its playoff hopes alive with a convincing win over Palm Harbor University.

By DOUG KATES, Times Correspondent
Published October 27, 2007

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PALM HARBOR - East Lake had to win Friday night just to make sure next week's game against Countryside would be for a chance to make the playoffs.

The Eagles kept their postseason hopes alive with a 35-7 win over Palm Harbor University.

"Next week decides it, unless crazy things happen," coach Bob Hudson said.

East Lake (2-1, 5-3) jumped out to a 21-0 lead over PHU (1-2, 3-5).

Richie Bailey scored East Lake's first touchdown on an 8-yard run just three plays into the game. Blake Robles hit Nick Franz with a 32-yard touchdown pass, and Micah Powell added a score on a 4-yard run.

In the second half, Bailey added a 26-yard touchdown run, and T.J. Herman scored on a 3-yard dive.

Despite the big, early lead, Hudson was concerned with giving up a late touchdown in the second half and allowing the Hurricanes to take momentum away. After the game, he addressed the situation with his kids and cautioned them on how momentum can prove costly in a playoff run.

"In the second half, that gas pedal came up a little bit," he said. "We have to keep it on the ground - throttle down."

Bailey said this was the first game of the season where East Lake coaches designed the offense to split the running game in half. Bailey finished with 17 carries for 135 yards, and Powell had 16 rushes for 97 yards.

"We came in with kind of a different game plan," Bailey said. "It was a 1-2 punch. Micah had the jukes and I had the power."

PHU used a nine-play, 80-yard drive for its lone score. Sean Shelton completed three passes in the series, including a 7-yarder to Mike McNeeley for a touchdown.

 

[Last modified October 27, 2007, 00:46:27]

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