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COMPLETE STORY: Shine Brothers Sparkle As DeSoto Downs Sebring

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Sebring sophomore running back Daniel Burnett tries to skirt DeSoto defenders in the first quarter of Sebring's 34-6 loss to the Bulldogs.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: October 21, 2007

ARCADIA — Double trouble.
Quarterback Shay Shine threw a touchdown pass and rushed 10 times for 88 yards and a score, and younger brother Darion Shine scored two touchdowns to lead DeSoto to a 34-6 win over Sebring on Friday night.

Shay Shine, a fleet-footed senior, dazzled the homecoming crowd with his scrambling ability on numerous plays, as the Class 3A Bulldogs, the ninth-ranked team in the state, improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in District 12 play.

"Our sweeps were working tonight and we just kept running them," the DeSoto signal-caller said. "The offensive line was opening the holes and I just looked to cut back.
"If we play like this, there isn't any team in the district that can stay with us."

The loss dropped the Blue Streaks, who committed three turnovers, to 3-4, 0-2.
"We were never able to get into any kind of offensive rhythm," Sebring fourth-year coach Jared Hamlin said. "And when we did manage to move the ball, we'd make a mistake and turn it over.

"We had a good scheme defensively and we were in position to make plays, but we didn't make the plays and we gave up big plays."
After Sebring went three and out on its first possession, DeSoto showed why it's one of the top teams in the state, as tailback Jerrell Ezell took advantage of excellent blocking and scampered 57 yards for a touchdown.

The extra point by Daniel Gonzalez put the Bulldogs up 7-0 just three minutes into the game.
Sebring, which was limited to 115 yards of offense by the swarming Bulldog defense, couldn't pick up a first down and a bad punt gave DeSoto great field position at the Blue Streak 26.

After a short run, Jerrell Thomas swept around right end for a 22-yard touchdown.
The point-after gave DeSoto a 14-0 lead with 7:08 remaining in the opening period.
Sebring, which played Steven Fortner, T.J. Williams and Sam Robinson at quarterback during the game, continued to struggle offensively and tried to gain some momentum by faking a punt on fourth-and-8.

The run by Robinson came up just short, and DeSoto took advantage by marching 38 yards in 12 plays, with Shine scrambling for a 21-yard touchdown.
The extra point made it 21-0 midway through the second quarter.

Sebring, which was led by Williams, who carried the ball 10 times for 32 yards, moved the ball inside the Bulldog 40, but was forced to punt.
DeSoto took over and faced third-and-20 deep in its own territory, but Shay Shine eluded several Blue Streak tacklers on another scramble, and raced 60 yards down the sideline.

"Shine made some plays that you can't teach or coach," Hamlin said. "He is a special player on a heck of a good team.
"DeSoto is even more impressive in person than they are on film."

On the next play, it was Shine to Shine, as Shay found sophomore wideout Darion, behind the Sebring secondary for a 17-yard touchdown pass.
"That was sweet," Shay said of combining with his brother for a Bulldog score. "That was the first time we've hooked up this year and that reminded me of last year when I used to throw it to my older brother."

The point after gave DeSoto a 28-0 halftime lead.
Neither team scored in a third period that was plagued by turnovers and penalties.
Darion Shine capped his night and the Bulldog scoring with a 17-yard touchdown gallop midway through the fourth period.

Sebring, which forced three Bulldog turnovers, avoided the shutout when freshman defensive end Charles Livingston scooped up a fumble and raced 35 yards down the sideline for the score with under four minutes remaining.
The loss is disappointing for Sebring, but hopes for the playoffs are still alive if the Blue Streaks can bounce back with some district wins down the stretch.

"It's about pride now and finishing up strong," Hamlin said. "We were in the same position last year and we won some games and things worked out.
"We have to take care of our business first, and I know these kids are going to keep fighting and come back strong next week."

Sebring High School Football Photo Gallery

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