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Gibbs off to a dominant start

Gladiators easily dispatch Largo, Palm Harbor University in two quarters of preseason Osceola Jamboree.

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 24, 2001

SEMINOLE -- Gibbs coach Al Davis was frightened with what he saw Thursday night at the Osceola Jamboree. The Gladiators were in midseason form in their two quarters, and Davis wasn't sure that was a good thing.

"It's kind of scary," Davis said. "I don't want to peak too quickly. But it's okay as long as these guys don't get too cocky and continue to work hard."

Gibbs drubbed Largo 20-0 in its first quarter, which was the third quarter of the five-quarter, five-team event. On the Gladiators' second offensive play, quarterback Ron Mathis hit Adam Randall for a 30-yard touchdown pass and the rout was on.

Before being lifted for reserve Steve Gallagher, Mathis hit all four of his passes and threw for 116 yards and three touchdowns. The biggest play came on Gibbs' second possession, when Mathis scrambled and connected with Deangelo Woodie for a 64-yard touchdown.

Mathis also hit Casey McEntegart on a 7-yard touchdown pass before being lifted.

In Gibbs' second quarter against Palm Harbor University, Davis played mostly junior varsity players. It didn't matter as the Gladiators defeated the Hurricanes 12-2. Gallagher had a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ron Gibson to highlight the scoring.

Palm Harbor University's lone bright spot came midway through the quarter when Matt Battistini tackled Gallagher in the end zone for a safety. The Hurricanes were the only team in the jamboree not to score an offensive touchdown.

"That's what I expected from Gibbs," said Tarpon Springs coach Don Davis, whose team opens the season Friday against the Gladiators. "They're going to be wide-open on offense and you have to stop them."

The Spongers also looked impressive in two shutout wins. Tarpon Springs defeated Osceola 14-0, then defeated Palm Harbor University 8-0. Roshawn Marshall had interception returns for touchdowns in both games.

Against Osceola, Marshall intercepted a Leroy Hayes pass and returned it 36 yards for a score that made it 14-0. Antonio Hunter scored the Spongers' other touchdown on a 3-yard run.

In its win against Palm Harbor University, it appeared the Hurricanes were going to score until Marshall stepped in front of D.J. Webb pass at the 5-yard line and returned it untouched 95 yards for the quarter's only score. Alex Kidman passed to Juan Bobe for the 2-point conversion.

"It's nice to go against different colored helmets," Don Davis said. "We've had 22 practices against ourselves. Tonight, I just wanted everyone to line up right."

In the first quarter, Largo and Osceola tied 7-7. Osceola running back Jason Teague had the biggest play when he turned a screen pass into an 83-yard touchdown run. Largo scored on a 3-yard run by Jesse Bennett.

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