One coach says Milton is no fluke

In high school football, there are crazy scores every week, but be honest, how many of you did a double-take last week when you saw Milton had beaten Dunnellon 66-14?

Could the Panthers be that good?

"They're tough," said Dunnellon coach Perry Brown. "They're very athletic. They've got a lot of team speed. They've got an excellent quarterback who's very mobile and has an excellent arm. They have very good skill people. They're good in all phases. They even have excellent kickers."

Dunnellon's worst defeat prior to that Class 3A first-round setback was a 28-0 Week 3 loss to Crystal River. The Tigers later lost to North Marion 36-12.

Last week, they trailed 35-0 at the half.

Dunnellon had the ball for 20 minutes to four for Milton in the first half, but the Panthers took advantage of two turnovers deep in Dunnellon territory and scored on several lengthy plays.

"Milton is very good offensively," Brown said. "(The Panthers) are just as athletic as North Marion. North Marion is tougher defensively, but Milton is better offensively. That offense is probably better than anything around here."

The player who makes the Milton offense go is junior quarterback Bruce Hall. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has passed for 1,558 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also has 541 rushing yards. Hall can pick a team apart from the pocket, but Brown thinks he is most dangerous on the move.

"He ranks right up there," Brown said. "He's got a strong arm and a quick release. Crystal River will have to contain him to win."

Among other things.

"The key for Crystal River is controlling the ball," Brown said. "Crystal River has the type of offense that can grind it out. Anything can happen. Crystal River is going to have to play a good game. It's going to have to figure out how to contain those people."

YARDAGE MARKER: Crystal River fullback Ryan McNally, with 1,559 rushing yards, ranks 27th in the state.

Because the five players directly ahead of him play for teams that are finished, McNally has a good chance to crack the top 20 with a decent performance tonight.

Junior Andre Reese of Pierson Taylor has 2,316 yards to lead all players. His team is alive in the Class 2A playoffs, but meets always-tough South Sumter tonight in Bushnell.

ONE MAN'S OPINION: Joe Pinkos of Florida Football Friday Fever has ratings for every team in the state. This week, Pinkos has Milton, with a power rating of 89.6, ranked third in Class 3A, behind only Rockledge (10-1) and Belle Glade Glades Central (11-0). The Panthers are No. 8 in his all-class poll.

Crystal River (72.5) is 13th in 3A but did not crack the all-class top 50.

The state's best team, according to Pinkos, is Tallahassee Lincoln, which is 10-1 and has a power rating of 94.0. Melbourne Palm Bay is second. Both squads are in 4A.

ODDS AND ENDS: Milton won state titles in 1978 and '79 and was a runner-up in 1972. ... Crystal River is 6-8 all time in the playoffs. The Pirates have advanced to the third round once, in 1996. ... If Crystal River wins, it would host the regional final if Pace beats North Marion. If North Marion wins, the Pirates would play the Colts in Sparr.

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