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Streaks Hope To 'Hold The Chain'

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Sebring's Devin Clarke 6 pulls down a 39-yard reception on Friday night in Wauchula.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 24, 2008

SEBRING - The sign on a convenience store next to Firemen's Field reads "Blue Streaks Hold the Chain."

That rallying cry has never been needed more than right now, as the Sebring football team are in the midst of a five-game losing streak - the longest of head coach Jared Hamlin's tenure - and are about to face one of the most explosive offenses in Class 3A-District 12 football.

"We've got some good character kids on this team and I've really enjoyed coaching them," Hamlin said. "We started this journey back in the spring with practice and then workouts all through the summer. We're a family and that's where the unity of the chain comes to play.

"I'm glad we've hung on to that philosophy."

The Blue Streaks are coming off a bye week after a true slugfest on Oct. 10 against district foe Hardee that went to overtime before the 'Cats prevailed 57-51.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Grubb, whose 242 passing yards were highlighted by a 61-yard bomb to sophomore receiver Devin Clarke, was stunned at the amount of firepower displayed by both teams and wondered what it would've been like to watch the game as a fan.

"That was an awesome game and one that I'll remember for a long time," Grubb said. "I'm really proud of our team to be down by 23 points and dig deep and keep fighting. You can't ask for anything more than we gave."

Grubb has shown maturity under center beyond his years, as he's 72 for 137 (52.6 percent) for 1,093 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the year.

His favorite target has been Clarke, who has 643 yards and five touchdowns for 107.2 yards per game average. His speed and athleticism has made him the deep threat that keeps opposing defenses honest.

Sebring running back Daniel Burnett has equaled Clarke's offensive output by rushing for 643 yards and seven touchdowns, including 116 yards against Hardee.

Grubb says his progression this season is coming along fine, but he still has to improve in so many areas if he's going to help his team be successful.

"I really need to get faster and more mobile when I'm flushed out of the pocket," Grubb said. "But I also need to make better reads and become a student of the game. I need to lock myself in the film room until I know not only our upcoming opponent better, but also my teammates.

The problem hasn't been the offense for the Streaks, who've scored 158 points in six games this season (26.3 points per game average) but stopping the run and keeping the opposing teams out of the end zone has remained a thorn in Sebring's side.

Hardee's Ezayi Youyoute rushed for 288 yards against the Sebring defense, which has given up 1830 total rushing yards (305 yards per game) so far this season, including back-to-back 200-yard performances.

"Stopping the run is something we've been trying to work out," Hamlin said. "I know I'm sounding like I'm repeating myself, but we've got to do a better job of tackling.

"Our defenders are not sustaining their tackles and they're out of position way too often. The biggest obstacle we've had to overcome the past two games is trying to simulate the offenses we're defending against in practice. When you don't run that type of offense, it's hard to simulate it."

Tonight, the Streaks are facing another tough offense in defending district champion DeSoto, who are in second place in the district standings.

The Bulldogs run a "wing-T" offense that has put up some amazing numbers this season: They've scored 56 points in back-to-back wins over LaBelle (56-7) and Class 4A Bayshore (56-37) the past two weeks.

The biggest weapon for DeSoto has been running back Marcus Shaw, who dashed for 314 yards and six touchdowns as he made mince meat of the Bayshore defense last week.

"Shaw is a heck of an athlete who'll embarrass you quickly if you don't stay within your defensive scheme," Hamlin said. "This is going to be another huge challenge for us and one we have to come out on top if we' re going to stay in the playoff hunt."

The Streaks are 0-1 in the district and play three straight conferences games - games that Hamlin believes they need to sweep to end the five-year playoff drought.

"These kids are working hard every day in practice and we know that we can't do anything about those previous six games," Hamlin said. "Our season comes down to the next three games.

"We have to come out and be the team that makes the big plays and be the one left standing at the end."

NOTE: DeSoto leads the all-time series 28-24-1 after last year's game went to the Bulldogs, 34-6.

Blue Streaks vs. Bulldogs

at Firemen's Field

TONIGHT at 7:30 p.m.

COST $5

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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