Preps

Sickles 18, Alonso 15 (OT)

By ROD GIPSON, Times Correspondent
Published November 3, 2007

TAMPA - The Sickles football program had waited 11 seasons for this moment.

It didn't matter much that it would have to wait a few minutes longer. On its first play in overtime, Sickles kicker Corey Page booted a 27-yard field goal to lift the Gryphons to an 18-15 win over district rival Alonso.

But more importantly, the win earns Sickles (7-3, 2-1 5A-6) its first playoff berth in school history.

"It's big," said Sickles coach Pat O'Brien on the playoff berth. "It's real, real big."

Sickles experienced a spectrum of emotions during the game.

Craig Plastic took the opening kickoff back 95 yards for the Gryphons. Moments later, when Alonso quarterback C.J. Bennett fumbled in his own end zone, Sickles picked up a safety and a 9-0 lead.

But behind the play of shifty tailback Jessie Anaya, the Ravens (5-5, 1-2) didn't give up. In fact, when Anaya snared a Bennett pass and rumbled 80 yards for a touchdown with 4 minutes left in the game and added a two-point conversion, Alonso seemed poised to spoil the Gryphons' playoff dreams.

But during Alonso's opening drive in overtime, Sickles defensive back Joey Loony intercepted a Bennett pass. The Gryphons wasted little time, sending Page out on their first overtime play from scrimmage.

Page nailed the kick, setting off a wild celebration on the field.

"These kids worked so hard for this," said O'Brien, whose teams was 0-10 last season ago. "We've worked two years for this. It's just a little surreal right now."

Overtime

[Last modified November 3, 2007, 00:07:18]