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After being drubbed last week by Dunnellon, the Panthers whip Deltona, 41-7.
By WAYNE GRUMET
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 20, 2001
Lecanto hammered Deltona 41-7 on Friday thanks to a dominating first half. The Panthers outgained the visiting Wolves 235 yards to 58 en route to a 21-0 lead.
"I feel like we grew up a lot this week. They had probably the hardest week of practice they've had all year," Slack said. "And they were ready for more at the end of every day."
The Panthers took advantage of a 19-yard punt by Deltona's Matt Trumbly to seize the early momentum. The Panthers covered 23 yards on two plays with quarterback Phillip Reed scoring on an 11-yard run.
Lecanto got the ball back early in the second quarter when Jeff Yearwood stripped Deltona's Mark Rood of the football. Yearwood hit Rood helmet-to-helmet and was able to wrest the ball away before Rood went down.
Jarvis Patterson capped the 8-play, 43-yard drive with a 7-yard scoring run.
Deltona (2-6) was again victimized by its poor punting on the next drive. Lecanto took over at its own 33 after an 18-yard punt. One play later, Yearwood raced 47 yards for a score and a 21-0 lead.
Patterson carried Lecanto in the second half. The junior capped the first two drives with 44-yard scoring runs. Patterson finished with 147 yards and three touchdowns.
Lecanto rested its starting defense in the second half and Deltona was able to move the football. The Wolves gained 173 yards in the second half, including 120 yards rushing.
Deltona's defense was without two starters and it showed. The Wolves allowed 473 total yards.
"Hand it to Lecanto. They've got some great backs," said Deltona coach Preston Roberts. "They were able to capitalize on our mistakes."