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COMPLETE STORY: Thomas Scores 3 TDs As Frostproof Defeats Sebring

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring's T.J. Williams attempts a pass during Friday night's 35-0 loss to Frostproof.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: September 23, 2007

Sebring High School Football Gallery

SEBRING — The half-hour lightning delay that occurred midway through the second quarter of Friday night's football game between Frostproof and Sebring made a long and miserable night even longer for the Blue Streaks.

The Sebring defense spent most of the night chasing after Frostproof tailback Carlton Thomas, as the elusive senior ran for 221 yards on just 18 carries and scored three second-half touchdowns to lead the Class 2B Bulldogs to a 35-0 win over the Blue Streaks on a rainy night at Firemen's Field.

The win improved Frostproof to 3-1 on the season, while the loss evened Class 3A Sebring's record at 2-2.

A bad snap on Sebring's first punt of the night early in the first quarter set up Frostproof's first score and the Blue Streaks never recovered against a quick and athletic Bulldog team.

"Frostproof has a very good football team," Sebring fourth-year coach Jared Hamlin said. "They put it on us tonight and we're going to have to go back and work to get better.

"We have to stick together as a team and learn from this loss, but we can't dwell on it."

Sebring went three and out on its opening possession of the game and the snap to punter Sam Robinson skidded on the ground and he was swarmed under by the Bulldog defenders at the Blue Streak 16-yard line.

Thomas picked up a first down inside the 10 and quarterback Donald Brown swept around left end for a 5-yard touchdown run.

The point after by Charlie Hurst gave Frostproof a 7-0 lead with 8:16 remaining in the opening period.

Sebring sophomore quarterback Jamarle Fletcher, who is battling an ankle injury, started the game, but the Blue Streaks failed to move the ball with any consistency.

Sebring's next possession ended with a punt by Robinson and Frostproof took over at its 47.

The Bulldogs took just four plays to score as Brown, who gained 86 yards on 10 carries, found a seam in the Blue Streak defense and scampered 44 yards for a touchdown.

The extra point by Hurst gave Frostproof a 14-0 lead with 4:47 remaining in the first quarter.

Sebring put together its best drive of the night on its next possession and marched from its own 35 to inside the Bulldog 20.

The drive stalled and Robinson's 47-yard field goal attempt against the wind fell just short.

The rain, which had been misting, began to come down in earnest and with 5:35 remaining in the second quarter, both teams were sent to the dressing rooms because of a half-hour lightning delay.

Neither team could muster any offense after the break and the score stayed 14-0 at the half.

Sebring came out and took the second-half kickoff and actually scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Robinson, but offensive pass interference was ruled.

On the next play, Frostproof's Nikell Robey intercepted a pass intended for Robinson in the end zone to kill the threat.

The Bulldogs took over and moved down the field as Thomas capped the 80-yard drive with a 20-yard scoring burst off left tackle.

The point after made it 21-0 with 6:29 remaining in the third period.

Sebring, which was led by senior tailback T.J. Williams, who rushed for 73 yards on 20 carries, went backward on its next drive and after a punt, Frostproof marched 53 yards with Thomas scoring on a 5-yard jaunt up the middle.

The Bulldogs continued to bottle up the Sebring attack and Thomas ended his night with a 25-yard touchdown run on the second play of the fourth quarter for the final points of the game.

"Thomas is a heck of a back," Hamlin said. "They hurt us with the quarterback in the first half and they hammered Thomas at us in the second half.

"We had extra guys in the box and we still couldn't stop them, but we're going to take a look at things, practice hard and come back strong next week."

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