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Bulldogs Bury Blue Streaks

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebrings Daniel Burnett attempts to break loose for a long run as Frostproofs Nickell Robey closes in for the tackle during Friday nights game.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: September 28, 2008

FROSTPROOF - Senior tailback Marcus Chaney made sure the homecoming crowd was well entertained before the halftime festivities began on Friday night by rushing for 154 yards and three touchdowns, while Nickell Robey added 135 yards and one score to lead Frostproof to a 42-14 victory over Sebring at Faris Brannen Stadium.

The win improved the Class 2A Bulldogs - who rushed for 321 yards as a team - to 2-1 on the season, while the loss dropped the Class 3A Blue Streaks to 1-2.

"We have to keep our heads up and keep playing hard," said senior linebacker Kenny Daniels. "Frostproof hurt us with their running game because we over-ran some plays and didn't tackle well. They have some good runners and we got caught out of position a couple of times.

"But we didn't give up, and we're going to keep working hard to turn this thing around."

The Bulldog defense, which forced two turnovers on the night, recovered a fumble on Sebring's first possession of the game at the Blue Streak 20-yard line.

Frostproof, which runs a potent spread offense led by sophomore quarterback DJ Barnes, scored in just two plays as Chaney broke loose for a 15-yard scoring run through the middle of the Sebring defense.

The point after by Jake Trussell gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead two minutes into the game.

"We can't afford to make mistakes and fall behind early," said Blue Streak coach Jared Hamlin. "We're a young team and when we fall behind it puts us in a tough position and takes us out of what we want to do.

"We didn't tackle well, and I don't know if we're trying too hard to make a play or what, but we've got to get back to basics and play better defense."

After a Sebring punt, Chaney found the end zone on an 82-yard run to put the Bulldogs up 14-0 with 7:18 remaining in the first quarter.

After an exchange of punts, Frostproof added to its lead when Chaney - who had only 10 carries - shook loose for a 25-yard scoring run.

The point after by Trussell gave the Bulldogs a commanding 21-0 lead midway through the second period.

Sebring took over and moved the ball 61 yards in five plays as junior tailback Daniel Burnett bulled his way into the end zone from two yards out to trim the Blue Streak deficit to 20-6 with 4:16 remaining until halftime..

"This is a resilient team and I'm proud of them because we kept fighting," said Hamlin. "We played well on both sides of the ball at times, but penalties and sacks kept us from getting into any kind of offensive rhythm."

Frostproof scored with 18 seconds left in the half as Robey took a handoff and raced 63 yards down the left sideline to put the Bulldogs up 28-6.

"That was a big play," said Hamlin. "We're playing off and we should see that coming, and I don't know if it's youth or what, but we weren't where we were supposed to be and it cost us."

Sebring couldn't move the ball on its first possession of the second half, and after a short punt, Frostproof took over at the Blue Streak 34.

Two plays later, junior wide receiver Kyle Buchanan took a reverse and scampered 29 yards for a touchdown for a 35-6 lead.

Sebring recovered a Frostproof fumble at the Bulldog 16 to set up its last touchdown.

Burnett, who rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries, scored on a five-yard sweep and sophomore quarterback Matt Grubb, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 77 yards and one interception, found tight end Michael Hankerson open in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion to bring the Blue Streaks within 35-14 with 6:55 remaining.

"We ran the ball pretty well at times," said Burnett. "Frostproof is fast and they are the hardest hitting defense we've played this season."

Sebring travels to Jensen Beach next Friday.

"We've got to get better before we get into our district schedule in two weeks if we want to make a run at the playoffs," Hamlin said.

"Those are the games that matter the most and we're going to get prepared, but we've got to get some consistency in what we're doing."

Frostproof 42, Sebring 14

Friday at Frostproof

Sebring0 6 0 8 - 14

Frostproof 14 14 7 7 - 42

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

Frost - Chaney 15 yd run (Trussell kick) 9:43

Frost - Chaney 82 yd run (Trussell kick) 7:18

Second Quarter

Frost - Chaney 25 yd run (Trussell kick) 6:17

Seb - Burnett 2 yd run (Schroeder kick failed) 4:16

Frost - Robey 63 yd run (Trussell kick) 18.7

Third Quarter

Frost - Buchanan 29 yd run (Trussell kick) 3:17

Fourth Quarter

Seb - Burnett 5 yd run (Grubb 2 yd pass to Hankerson) 6:55)

Frost - Hamilton 1 yd run (Trussell kick) 3:02

INDIVIDUAL STATS

RUSHING: Sebring; Burnett 23-108, Daniels 4-13, Clarke 1-2, McGee 4-15, Grubb 3-5. Frostproof; Chaney 10-154, Robey 7-135, Barnes 9-15, Hamilton 3-8, Smith 2-35.

PASSING: Sebring: Grubb 10-18-77-1-1. Frostproof: Barnes 3-7-38.

RECEIVING: Sebring; Clarke 6-44, Welborn 2-16, Burnett 1-5, Hankerson 1-2. Frostproof; Robey 1-10, Andre 2-28.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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