If Robison was searching for an elite game to prove they belong to be mentioned as an upper echelon Hillsborough County football teams they found it Friday night. Only one word can be used to describe their effort against Jesuit: DOMINATION. Watching Mike Depue’s crew take the field Friday you could tell there was an aura of confidence and determination surrounding them and the Knights would exert their dominance soon after the whistle blew.
Robinson’s unheralded defense overwhelmed the Tigers on the first drive of the game forcing a quick three and out punt. The special teams for the Knights where extra special on this night, and forced Jesuit’s kicker into a 15 yard boot. On the ensuing drive for the Knights Mike Duclos would break free for a 41 yard touchdown run.
The huge Jesuit crowd was clearly shell shocked. The Robinson defense led by the impressive play of Dominic Jennings forced another quick three and out and the Tigers again lined up to punt on 4th and 3. Jesuit, trying to light a spark in their team, faked the punt and again the Robinson special teams came up huge stuffing the ball carrier. This would lead to a quick but impressive offensive drive for the Knights, which would be capped off by Martin Ruiz’s 16 yard touchdown run.
Jesuit would rally on their next drive behind the impressive play of running back Kevin Newman; however, the 11 play 78 yard drive would stall short of the end zone and only result in a field goal. It appeared that the points had ignited the Tigers as they forced Robinson into their first three and out of the night. The Tigers would go for broke on their next offensive play throwing a fifty yard bomb in the direction of Travis Johnson; however, the Knights were ready and Brandon Peters caught an amazing interception. The 75 yard interception return by Peter’s was truly a work of art in which he demonstrated uncanny field awareness and vision. Jesuit would go into the Locker-room at half-time down 28-3 and with no real hope of mounting a coming back with the robust Robinson defense smothering them on every drive.
Robinson’s Zain Gilmore will never be accused of being the biggest football player in a room but he will always challenge to be the best. Gilmore took over the game in the 2nd half and accumulated over 230 yard of offense. Jesuit defense held firm in the red-zone numerous times and only allowed Robinson a field goal in the second half; however, there offense could not figure out a way to attack Robinson’s swarming defense. The final score would be 31-10.
After nearly 40 years as a high school football coach Mike Dupue will retire after this season. From what I saw tonight his Knights have the ability to send him out a champion.
– Anthony Peace