TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Storm chasers

Ryan Lavner, Highlands Today

Sebring sophomore Damion Thompson, who was recently promoted from the JV team, follows the lead block of Gus Williams (7) during the Blue Streaks' 43-0 win over Celebration on Friday night at Firemen's Field. Thompson carried the ball 11 times for 92 yards and a touchdown in his varsity debut.

ADVERTISEMENT

By RYAN LAVNER

Highlands Today

Published: October 25, 2009

SEBRING - After two tumultuous weeks, the Sebring Blue Streaks were back at full strength Friday night - plus one.

Quarterback Matt Grubb threw for 280 yards, Devin Clarke scored two touchdowns and newcomer Damion Thompson had a dazzling varsity debut in Sebring's explosive 43-0 win over Celebration at Firemen's Field.

"We've played pretty doggone good defense these last few weeks and it was nice to get jump-started a little bit offensively," Sebring coach Jared Hamlin said. "Hopefully that'll carry over to next week and we'll just keep getting better."

The Blue Streaks (4-3, 1-2 in Class 3A-District 9) were mired in an eight-quarter scoreless streak, but they emphatically snapped out of their midseason funk by scoring a touchdown on six of their seven offensive possessions. Sebring didn't punt until there was 9:20 left in the fourth quarter, and its margin of victory was its largest of the season.

The offensive resurrection couldn't have come at a better time for the Blue Streaks, who have struggled all month.

Two weeks ago, they lost to seventh-ranked Lake Wales. Then, 19 players were suspended for last week's 13-0 loss to Winter Haven, also ranked in the Top 10 in Class 3A.

Playing with limited resources, and playing against some of the stiffest competition in the region, the Blue Streaks were held out of the end zone for nearly a month - last scoring a touchdown on Sept. 25, against Lake Nona.

"Those were two top-10 ranked teams that we played," Hamlin said. "And yeah, we struggled, but there are some reasons why. They're pretty good, too. I'm glad we got it going a little bit Friday night."
Grubb turned in his best performance of the season, scoring four touchdowns (three passing) and completing 15 of 21 passes for 280 yards, 227 of which went to Clarke.

The Blue Streaks' potent passing attack was undoubtedly helped by the emergence of Thompson, a sophomore running back, who was promoted from the JV team last month. Despite his thin, wiry, 165-pound frame, Thompson was tough to bring down between the tackles, finishing with 92 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown in his first varsity start.

"He's pretty good, isn't he?" Hamlin said, smiling. "He's not a slasher or a darter. He runs straight ahead and hard. He did a good job Friday night, a very good job."

Filling in for the injured Daniel Burnett, who is nursing a high ankle sprain, Thompson ignited the Blue Streaks' offense, which had little trouble moving the ball against one of the most forgiving defenses in the district.

Sebring drove 84 yards in eight plays on its opening drive, capped by Grubb's 1-yard TD plunge behind center. Clarke caught a screen pass and ran 45 yards on the Blue Streaks' next possession, and then, after he was tripped up for a 4-yard loss, Thompson took a shovel pass 36 yards, barreling over three defenders to give Sebring a 14-0 lead with 2:17 left in the first quarter.

"He was a pretty pleasant surprise for us," Grubb said. "We all knew his abilities, but he performed well Friday night, being his first varsity start. He ran the ball really well."

A 7-yard run by Jaquan Williams produced another Sebring score with 10:49 left in the second quarter.

For one of the few times all night, Celebration mounted a drive on its next series, picking up two quick first downs before facing a fourth down. The Storm then attempted a fake punt and completed a 20-yard pass, moving inside the Sebring 40. The drive was again prolonged by a running-into-the-kicker penalty, but Blue Streaks cornerback CJ Massaline intercepted Storm quarterback Geoff Bangley's pass in the end zone.

Two plays later, Grubb connected with Clarke on an 80-yard touchdown pass, and Celebration never threatened again.

And just for good measure, Clarke hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass in the back-right corner of the end zone with 8.8 seconds remaining in the second quarter, giving Sebring a 35-0 lead that initiated the running clock. Grubb also threw a 19-yard TD pass to Tony DeJongh midway through the third quarter.

"Matt got in a rhythm Friday night, and when he gets in a rhythm, he's pretty doggone good," Hamlin said.

The Storm managed just 86 yards of total offense, 40 of which came on two fake punt attempts.

Ryan Lavner can be reached at 863-386-5841 or rlavner@highlandstoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT