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Blue Streaks Pummel Pirates

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring senior tailback T.J. Williams capped his high school career by accounting for five touchdowns in the Blue Streaks win over Port Charlotte on Friday night.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: November 11, 2007

MURDOCK –– The Sebring football team didn't want to leave the field and were in no hurry to take off their uniforms after dismantling Port Charlotte 41-14 in the season finale on Friday night.

"I'm a little upset," Blue Streak senior wide receiver Sam Robinson said over the din of a raucous locker room. "We're a good team and we're not going to the playoffs.
"We started the season off a little slow, but we picked it up, never quit, stayed together as a family and we're going out winners."

The win was the third consecutive for the Class-3A Blue Streaks, who ended the season at 6-4, and earned their third winning season in four years under coach Jared Hamlin.
"This was a great way to finish the season," Hamlin said. "The kids played well from start to finish in what was probably our best game of the year.

"We went through some adversity with injuries and losses of key players this season, but the kids overcame that and won the last three games to finish on a positive note."
Senior tailback T.J. Williams ended a stellar high-school career by rushing for three touchdowns and passing for two more.

The versatile Williams, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards during the season, split time at quarterback and tailback against the Pirates and gained 128 yards on 23 carries. He also completed both passes he attempted for 68 yards.

Sebring scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions to take control of the game.
William's scored on a six-yard run and followed that up with scoring strikes to junior Jack Howard of 32 yards and senior Sam Robinson for 36 yards to give the Blue Streaks a 21-0 lead less than five minutes into the second quarter.

Class-5A Port Charlotte, which finished the season 3-7, opened up its passing playbook to finally reach the end zone late in the first half.

Senior Baily Beckham's two-yard touchdown run capped a six-play, 79-yard scoring drive.
Junior quarterback Sam Thurston completed 3 of 4 passes for 64 yards to lead the Pirates down the field.

Senior Victor Candelaria had two receptions for 51 yards.
The Blue Streak defense, which forced three turnovers and limited Port Charlotte to 213 total yards, dominated the second half.

Port Charlotte managed just three first downs and 26 yards of offense in the final two quarters. Williams scored on a 15-yard run in the third quarter and a three-yard burst early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

"We love to see T.J. run, and we got our blood going, executed our blocks and opened the holes for him," senior offensive lineman Jeff Richards said. "We knew we were a good team and these last few
weeks we proved that on the field."

The Blue Streaks put their final points on the scoreboard when Robinson took a direct snap on a fake punt and scampered 60 yards for the score.

Junior Richard Morgan's 30-yard kickoff return set up the Pirates' final score of the season.
Junior Joe Bennett closed out a seven-play, 35-yard touchdown drive with a 4-yard scoring run. Bennett carried 14 times for 48 yards and a touchdown to lead the way for the Pirates.
Thurston completed 9 of 18 passes for 120 yards and an interception.

Robinson finished close behind Williams with 90 yards rushing and a touchdown on just two carries and the fleet-footed wideout caught two passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Senior quarterback Steven Fortner completed 3-of-6 passes for 35 yards and an interception.

"I'm so happy with the team and the way we came together and bonded theses last few weeks," senior running back Brannen Dorman said. "I'm happy for the seniors because we worked hard and I think we laid a good foundation for the underclassmen to build on for next year."

Curtis Williams contributed to this story

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