Down 21-16 towards the end the 3rd quarter, East Lake QB, Pete Dinovo faced 3rd and goal from the CCC 5 yard line. East Lake Stadium sounds like Death Valley, stands are rocking and all eyes are on senior QB Pete Dinovo. Here is what happened…
East Lake would go on to score 20 more unanswered points on a Weston Fordham 15 yard scamper and a Drew Cuoto 21 burst to give the Eagles a 15 point spread and eventual win to defeat Clearwater Central Catholic.
The game did not start in East Lake’s favor. The Marauders started the ball game in championship fashion. A combination of power football, misdirection and effective play-action had the East Lake defense off balance. The CCC offensive staff called all the right plays in the first half as East Lake was slow to adjust and the players were guessing.
CCC jumped on the board late in the first quarter when junior tailback, Diquan Walker took a screen 47 yards for the first touchdown of the game. East Lake would answer back with a 27 yard FG by Daniel LaCamera. Making the score 7-6 CCC.
Starting quarter 2, Blake Gomez found TE, Troy Olmo in the endzone using a beautiful ball fake to freeze the LBs and spring open his receiver (14-7 CCC). Gomez finished the game with 149 passing yards, 17 of 25 and 1 pass TD. Gomez was a man on a mission. He did not throw his first incomplete pass until the third quarter, attempt #11. Outstanding performance!
CCC would find the endzone again minutes before halftime on a Dominic James 1 yard TD run extending the CCC lead 21-3.
East Lake started to put some plays together late in the second quarter, driving the ball deep into Marauder territory and capped off a great drive with a Pete Dinovo 6 yard TD run. At the half, CCC 21 East Lake 9
A new East Lake team stepped onto the field after halftime focused and collected. The Eagles would start off the 2nd half as they left off in the 2nd quarter and did not let their foot off the pedal. Four different Eagles found the endzone in the second half; Dylan Renaker 1 yard TD run, Pete Dinovo 5 yard TD run, Weston Fordham 15 yard TD run and Drew Cuato 21 yard TD run.
The rushing attack hotline phone rang and East Lake’s Weston Fordham answered. The junior running back finished the game with 133 yards, 16 carries and 1 TD.
East Lake plays Countryside next week for a big North Pinellas showdown.
STAT LEADERS
score: East Lake 36 CCC 21
East Lake
Pass: Pete Dinovo 11/17, 103 yards passing, 53 yards rushing, 2 rush TDs
Rush: Weston Fordham 133 yards, 16 attemps, 1 rush TD
Rec: Artavis Scott 45 yards, 4 receptions, 37 yards rushing
Total: Rush 276 yards Pass 103 yards
CCC
Pass: Blake Gomez 17/25 149 yards, 1 pass TD
Rush: Diquan Walker 55 yards, 12 attempts, 1 rec TD
Rec: Dominic James 54 yards, 5 rec, 13 yards rushing 1 rush TD
Total: Rush 78 yards Pass 149 yards