C-Side vs. Palm Harbor

PALM HARBOR - The stage was set for a big Class 5A, District 9 match-up as the Countryside Cougars traveled west to take on the Palm Harbor University Hurricanes, trying to take a step closer into the post-season after missing the playoffs last year. The Canes faced their nemesis in front of a huge home crowd, and had all the makings of a classic, as we were treated to another down-to-the-wire game in which Countryside turned it up a notch in the second half and one key play at the end that had every fan on the opposite side on their feet.

Just as in last week's ballgame against Tarpon, both defenses would rule from the opening whistle. Dawrence Roberts pounded the rock to break the century mark in yards again, but it would be the adversaries to score first. Not until the 5:13 mark of the second quarter would their be any score, and unfortunately it was Palm Harbor's passing game that put them up: a 7 yard score by tight end Brandon Garoutsos from Sean Shelton to make it 7-0. That would be the score at halftime, but much more was set to come in the next two quarters. On a fourth and short, Shelton again found Garoutsos, this time from 10 yards out to give the Hurricanes a 14-0 lead, making this look bleak. The Cougars came back and answered with aplomb as Roberts scored from the 3 to cut the lead to 14-7.

PHU would have another lengthy drive, capped off by a third touchdown reception by Garoutsos, putting his team up 21-7 after a 23 yard TD catch. The garnet and gold went to work with alacrity. Jimbo Chmelik fired one completion after another, including a couple of game savers on fourth down and eventually hooked up with Todd Shorter from the 5 to make it a 21-14 game and getting right back in the game. After a Palm Harbor drive that stalled on a turnover on downs, the Cougars took the field attempting to tie the game from their own 37 and no timeouts, as the clock read just over 3:00. The offense meticulously ran down the field converting tough plays, but none tougher than a stunning development with just 12 seconds and a third and long.

With Jimbo in the shotgun, all three receivers were well covered and time was about to expire. No one in the midst, Jimbo tucked it in and ran to the outside, somehow eluding a defender, and jumping into the end zone with 4 seconds to go to shock the home fans and sending the game into overtime with an 18 yard scamper that knotted the game at 21-21. To the chagrin of Cougar fans, the comeback would end the wrong way when in the first OT, Shelton ran the ball in, and then Countryside missing a pass on fourth down would lead to PHU's first district victory of '08. The Cougars are now (3-3, 1-1) and will be back home next Friday for homecoming vs. Boca Ciega. Game time is 7:30.