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LOL Rallies For Title

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Standing in the heart of the Land O' Lakes offensive huddle with 5 seconds remaining, receiver James Ridley, helmet in hand, eyes as wide as saucers and not an ounce of amusement in his voice, barked at his teammates: "This is where it all happens! Right here!"

On the next play, from the Ridgewood 20, Land O' Lakes kicker Alex Spock boomed a 38-yard field goal as time expired, handing Ridgewood its first loss, 20-17, and giving Land O' Lakes the Class 4A-District 8 title, the Gators' fifth district championship in six seasons. Both teams are 8-1.

"I was hoping that they were going to score the touchdown, so I wouldn't have to worry about it," Spock said of the final Land O' Lakes drive, "but then at the same time, I wanted to actually kick it to be the hero."

Spock's shot came following a tide-changing turnover with 4:35 left. On the third play of the Rams' drive, Barry Johnsonbaugh ripped off a 23-yard run to the Land O' Lakes 44. At the end of the run, as Johnsonbaugh was surrounded by defenders and nearly to the ground, the ball popped out and was pounced on by Gators defensive back Willie Fields.

Johnsonbaugh's long run was typical of the Rams' running game. On its first drive, Ridgewood used 12 plays and ate up 5:34 and 80 yards - 60 of which churned out by the legs of Byronell Arline - capping the drive on Johnsonbaugh's 3-yard scoring run.

Arline collected 158 yards on 31 carries, but did not get in the end zone. In all, Ridgewood tallied 267 rushing yards.

Despite the Rams' rushing success, Land O' Lakes didn't panic, likely a byproduct of the numerous times the squad has found itself in big games.

"I think we did keep our composure most of the time," Land O' Lakes coach John Benedetto said. "There were times when we were frustrated because of the way they were controlling the clock on us, keeping our offense off the field."

The Gators answered the Ridgewood score immediately with a four-play drive from the Rams 47, following a 53-yard kickoff return by Stephen Wood.

On the second play of that drive, Chris Singleton blew through the defense for 38 yards, putting the ball at the Ridgewood 7. Two plays later, Wood took the handoff, went left, gave a stutter step and scored from 2 yards out with 4:31 left in the second quarter.

Two possessions later, Land O' Lakes took a 10-7 lead on a 32-yard Spock field goal as the first half expired.

Following a Gators three-and-out to open the third quarter, Ridgewood took over.

The Rams' 11-play, five-minute drive ended when receiver Addidas Tolliver corralled a 17-yard T.J. Haab pass in the back corner of the end zone for the 14-10 advantage.

Allyn Williamson ended the next Land O' Lakes series with an interception, returning it to the Gators 17. Four plays later, Brian Koon nailed a 33-yard field goal with 1:56 left in the third.

Land O' Lakes tied the game at 17 on its first fourth-quarter possession when running back Ben Hipps scored from 1 yard out with 5:47 remaining.

On that drive, the Gators converted two third downs, using its passing attack to move the ball. Quarterback Ely Payne was 6-for-10 for 71 yards on the drive. He finished the night 10-for-14 for 114 yards.

Three plays later, Land O' Lakes recovered the fumble and set Spock up for the winning kick.

The victory ensured Land O' Lakes of a home playoff game against Rockledge, Merritt Island or Titusville. Ridgewood will travel to face Daytona Beach Seabreeze.

"Well, we better get ready for a bus ride," said a frustrated Ridgewood coach Chris Taylor.

L-Wood 2 run (Spock kick)

L-Spock 32 FG

R-Tolliver 17 pass from Haab (Koon kick)

R-Koon 33 FG

L-Hipps 1 run (Spock kick)

L-Spock 38 FG

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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