Sebring Hopes To Cool Down Frostproof

Three games into the season is hardly the time to push the panic button for the Sebring football team, but head coach Jared Hamlin knows that adjustments have to be made over the next two games as the Blue Streaks march toward district play.

"The game against Okeechobee came down to tackling," Hamlin said. "We were making contact at the line of scrimmage but we weren't making our tackles, not to mention that we gave up 28 points off turnovers.

"Those are the kind of mistakes you can't afford against any team."

Sebring has dropped two straight games, including a 48-7 rout at the hands of Class 4A Okeechobee, where tailback Lonnie Pryor picked apart the Blue Streak defense to the tune of 175 yards on 20 carries and a pair of touchdowns in front of a stunned crowd at Firemen's Field last week.

Sebring will get a chance to get back on track when they travel to face the high-scoring Class 2A Frostproof today at Bulldog Stadium.

Frostproof's high-octane offense - which leads Polk County teams in total yards - has been stellar early in the season, as the Bulldogs are averaging more than 300 yards per game, including a 475-yard performance against Lakewood (Colo.) in their season opener.

"Speed," joked Sebring running back coach Princeton Harris when asked about the Frostproof offense. "They are extremely quick, and unlike last year, their speed isn't rolled up into one player."

The Streaks, who were shutout by the Bulldogs 35-0 last year on a 221-yard, three touchdown performance by star running back Carlton Thomas, will no doubt rely heavily on a solid pass rush led by linebacker Kenny Daniels to get to Frostproof's elusive quarterback D.J. Barnes.

The playmakers for the Bulldogs are receiver/defensive back Nickell Robey and Barnes, who have a combined 12 touchdowns between them this season.

Robey hauled in a 56-yard halfback pass for a score and his 65-yard interception return late in last week's game against Mulberry, which sealed a 28-21 road victory.

The Bulldog defense was tested twice against the Panthers late in the game, where Mulberry mounted a pair of long drives only to come up empty, as Frostproof's Donovan Hudson made a key sack on third-and-eight as time expired.

To keep the Bulldog offense in check, Sebring will rely on tailback Daniel Burnett, who rushed for 119 yards, but had limited carries in the second half after the Streaks fell behind by 19 points.

"Daniel is going to be a key factor in helping us keep the game under control and in our favor," Hamlin said. "With Daniel running the ball, that's going to open up the passing attack so that Matt Grubb can make plays."

With two straight losses and a tough schedule ahead, Hamlin says that the Streaks have been an extremely motivated group this week and they understand they have to get better because the time is now.

"We've had some great practices this week and the guys have been really focused," Hamlin said. "What we need from this team is for them to get on top early so we can build some confidence.

"The focus for this team is to go into our district schedule with a positive attitude and playing the kind of football I know we're capable of. We know we've got to work out some kinks before then, and it starts tonight against the Bulldogs."

Blue Streaks vs. Bulldogs

at Frostproof High School

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5