Preps

Pinellas Park 20, Dixie Hollins 14

By CARMINO IMONDI, Times Staff Writer
Published November 3, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - With only pride on the line, Pinellas Park earned an emotional victory at Bentley Memorial Park. After trailing 14-7 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Patriots defense and special teams came through.

Defensive back Jesse Woods scooped up a Rebel fumble and scampered 18 yards to tie the game with 6:37 left. Dixie Hollins (2-7) had a chance to win, but three failed runs and a false start stalled the drive and set up a winning field-goal attempt. Josh Stoll's field goal from 23 yards was blocked by the Patriots' interior line and picked up by Woods who raced 77 yards for the go-ahead touchdown as time expired.

"We had great character tonight on the road. My guys built on the second half of last week's game against Gibbs and ran with this one," Pinellas Park coach Matt Lance said.

The Patriots played emotional football throughout the night despite being outgained 270-71. They held the Rebels scoreless through the second half, caused four turnovers and benefited from Dixie Hollins' 115 yards of penalties -- three of them unsportsmanlike.

Pinellas Park (2-7) began the scoring on an Oraian Bentley 1-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.

Dixie Hollins tied the game on a four play, 56 yard drive, culminating in a Ja-Far Fortt 20-yard run with 2:04 left in the second.

After the Rebels' Jaron Cole recovered a fumble deep in Pinellas Park territory, Josh Brown connected with Gerard Atkins for a 10-yard touchdown pass, and a 14-7 Dixie Hollins halftime lead.

Chris McKinnie led the Patriots with 63 yards on 10 carries. Brown had 137 rushing yards on 17 attempts in the Rebels losing effort.

[Last modified November 3, 2007, 00:59:07]