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Aycock Powers Chiefs To Region Final

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2007

TAMPA - Throughout the season, Chamberlain junior quarterback Dontae Aycock received criticism for not being a pocket passer. Going into Friday night's Class 5A regional semifinal against Gaither, Aycock had actually rushed for more yards than he had passed.

Against the Cowboys, however, he showed he can lead his team from the pocket, completing his first five passes for 105 yards and rushing for two touchdowns to help give Chamberlain a 24-8 win.

"I just know that I don't have to use my feet to make plays," Aycock said.

The Chiefs (9-3) advance to the regional final, where they will host No. 1 Kissimmee Osceola (12-0), which defeated three-time state champion Lakeland 22-7.
Chamberlain offensive coordinator Brian Turner said the game plan was to continue to run the triple option, but saw that his receivers had an advantage.

"We noticed that their cornerbacks were playing close, so we got them on a fade route," Turner said. "Dontae was on it tonight."
Chamberlain led 21-0 at the half, led by Aycock's two touchdowns - both 1-yard runs - and a 10-yard run by Lamond Scott.

"We played as good an offense in the first half as we could have played," Chamberlain coach Billy Turner said. "Our big receivers came up big for us.

"Everyone keeps asking where Nos. 3 and 4 are, but I bet they don't have to ask anymore."

Senior and Illinois-bound Fred Sykes (No. 3) had three catches for 47 yards, while senior Francisco Llanos (No. 4) had two catches for 58 yards, including a 41-yard catch on third-and-long that helped set up Scott's touchdown.

"We threw well in practice all week," Billy Turner said.

Gaither's offense, however, wasn't working as well. Standout junior running back Jarvis Giles finished with 42 yards on eight carries. He played sparingly in the first half and didn't play a snap until 1:21 was left in the third quarter.

"He had a headache," Gaither coach Mark Kantor said.

Chamberlain's defense forced Gaither to punt on three of its first four possessions and didn't allow any points until midway through the fourth quarter, when freshman second-string quarterback Dylan Fisher found junior tight end Justin Lattimore on a 20-yard TD pass. Starting quarterback Kamren Hawkins rushed for a 2-point conversion to make it 28-8.

Late in the third quarter, Kantor decided to give Fisher the starting nod, and the freshman didn't disappoint as he rushed for 35 yards on six carries and threw the Cowboys' only touchdown.

"We wanted more of a sparkplug in the offense," Kantor said.

When it seemed as if Gaither (8-4) could make a comeback, Chamberlain's defense recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass to close out the game.

C-Aycock 1 run (Pullaro kick)

C-L. Scott 10 run (Pullaro kick)

C-FG Pullaro 43

G-Lattimore 20 pass from Fisher (Hawkins run)

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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