Tough to say that this game didn’t live up to it’s hype. It was also fitting that the shootout at Leto High School on Thursday Night was preceded by an actual shootout 2 blocks away causing the opening kickoff to be delayed by over 30 minutes. There was suspense, there was drama, there was a comedy of errors made by both teams. In the end, only one team was laughing. Or maybe was it breathing a sigh of relief? Strawberry Crest rode the shoulders of WR Karel Hamilton and his 254 all-purpose yards to victory 37-32 over Leto in front of a less than amused crowd on Senior Night for the Falcons.
The lanky 6-1, 166lb Junior returned 2 kickoffs for touchdowns and scored another TD on a 10yd catch and run on a night when the outcome of the game could sway in favor of either team (unlike the others that had running clocks before the half) and was begging for someone to step up and make plays. There were several key performances that propelled the Chargers to their 1st win of the season, but it was Hamilton’s individual performance coupled with questionable decision-making by Leto to even kick to the WR in the first place that spelled doom for Leto.
All of the elements needed for a Falcons win were present except for that whole “clutch” execution thing. They got the scoring they needed putting up 23 points in the 3rd Quarter, and had a great individual performance by one of their own in RB Andre Simpson (27 carries, 144 yards, TD unofficially) as well as a gritty effort from QB Michael Serra. They even took the opening kickoff back 96 yards when Francisco Salcedo broke to the outside and took off down the field. One could even make the case it was destiny for Leto when seconds before that opening kickoff, Head Coach Matt Kitchie could be heard yelling, “Tonight’s the night!” to his team.
The Falcons even manged to get the starting QB knocked out when they pummeled Trey Vandergrift into the ground causing him to leave the field and not return. Well. The one thing they didn’t bother to keep from returning was #3 Karel Hamilton who helped Strawberry Crest’s Special Teams become their best offense when they needed it the most. In fact, the Strawberry Crest sideline was more resembling of a triage unit rather than a high school football team by the time the final whistle had blown, but that didn’t stop them from erasing a 32-23 deficit and showing some of the mental toughness that their fans and staff expected.
Freshman QB Michael Mitchell for ‘Crest brought the spark that was desperately needed rushing for the go ahead TD with just under a minute gone in the 4th Quarter. The pace of the Chargers Offense picked up at that point as Mitchell’s fresh legs started to become a serious issue for the Leto Defense.
“We knew we had a pretty good backup in Michael Mitchell once Trey left. Everything was about changing the momentum tonight and that was a point [along with the Special Teams] we were able to do that. ” said Head Coach Gerold Dickens. As the quarter wore on, the Strawberry Crest Defense started gaining confidence and was able to pin their ears back and get to the QB and RB. DT’s Jarrett Gretebeck and Austin Thompson started cracking helmets in the Falcons Backfield getting whatever leverage they desired towards the end.
Dickens seemed relatively pleased with his team’s effort all things considered. “We finally got the monkey off our back. Both teams battled back and forth. It was great to see our team fight to stay in it and of course the special teams play didn’t hurt.” Dickens said with a smile. Strawberry Crest (1-6, 1-3) will now snap back into reality quickly as they prepare for Sickles next week. Leto (0-8, 0-4) will travel just down the street to Carver City and take on Jefferson who shutout Sickles 22-0 in Citrus Park.
Pugh’s Performers: Leto
RB Andre Simpson (Jr.) 6-1, 190lbs (27 carries, 144 yards, TD)
[Ran with authority all night. Never shied away from a hit, and had a 35 yard TD negated on a holding penalty.]
K,P Amoreto Curraj (Jr.) 6-2, 165lbs (2, 42yd FG’s)
[Might have had a 3rd if not for an INT before the half following a Crest TO. Leto had just scored from the same spot 2 plays earlier.]
Pugh’s Performers: Strawberry Crest
WR,KR Karel Hamilton (Jr.) 6-1, 166lbs (3 catches, 75 yards/2 Kickoff Returns (98, 81) for TD’s)
[Hamilton was open nearly all night. If not for some errant throws in the 1st Half, Hamilton’s numbers might have looked like a video game. His TD catch was a beautiful inside move on the slant as Vandergrift hit him in stride.]
QB Trey Vandergrift (So.) 5-11, 185lbs (7-20, 164 yards, 2TD’s)
[Although the completion percentage isn’t exactly Aaron Rodgers-esque the young man stuck in the pocket, took a beating and did all he could before leaving the game with an injury.]