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Cobras Overcome Adversity For Big Victory

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

HUDSON - Without two of their best defensive players, the Hudson Cobras prepared as well as they could for visiting Gulf and Pasco County rushing leading David Williams, knowing if they didn't give it everything they had, the game could get ugly.

The Cobras played on as if their leading tackler, lineman Travis Tindell, and third-leading tackler, linebacker Paul James, were in the lineup, as Hudson beat Gulf 42-21 Friday night in a Class 3A-District 8 game.

'To be honest, I have no feelings about the district, I have no feelings about rivalries. I am just so proud of these kids,' Hudson coach Mark Nash said. 'I was sitting in my office this week thinking, 'Just what else could go wrong?' Circumstances were being thrown at these kids all week long and they handled every one of them. I couldn't be more proud.'

Tindell missed the game with an illness that hospitalized him this week, and James was serving a suspension. Both are expected back for Hudson's next game.

In their absence, both the offense and defense came up big for the Cobras (5-2, 2-1).

Running back Sean Scott had a career night with 24 carries for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Zack Wynn was 10-for-15 for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and had 11 carries for 54 yards rushing and one touchdown.

'It was just great coaching. Everybody played well - offensive line, the receivers blocked downfield. Everybody was just playing for each other and doing their thing,' Scott said.

Williams ran 24 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns, but the Buccaneers (3-4, 2-1) had to throw more than normal.

'We decided that when they came out with a three-back set, we were just going to pack the house and bring everything we could,' Nash said. 'If it backfires, the problem is if Williams bumps one outside everybody is in the middle, but we figured we weren't going to just sit there in the same defense and let him pound at us all night.'

Gulf opened the scoring with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter on Williams' 21-yard touchdown run.

Hudson answered on the following drive with a 52-yard touchdown run from Scott at 11:51 of the second quarter.

Hudson took the lead five minutes later with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Wynn to Patrick Solis.

A roughing-the-kicker penalty on Gulf gave the Cobras a first down at the Gulf 32. That led to a 24-yard touchdown pass from Wynn to Hunter Newton, whose uncle, Devil Rays senior adviser Don Zimmer, was in the stands.

On the last drive of the half, Williams drove the Bucs downfield to the Hudson 4. But between the Cobras' defense and a miscue with timeouts on the Gulf sideline, time ran out on the Bucs.

'They're a good football team,' Gulf coach Jay Fulmer said. 'They execute better than any team in this county, and you can say anything you want about anyone but they run about five plays to perfection. They do not make mistakes. Their offensive line is right where they're supposed to be. Their quarterback doesn't beat them. Their running back is a quality player. They just run their offense to perfection.'

H-Scott 52 run (Wynn kick)

H-Solis 16 pass from Wynn (Wynn kick)

H-Newton 24 pass from Wynn (Wynn kick)

H-Scott 65 run (Wynn kick)

G-Williams 65 run (Kick blocked)

G-Walton 47 pass from Burr (Burbridge run)

H-Wynn 5 run (Wynn kick)

H-Scott 83 run (Wynn kick)

Reporter Cristina Ledra can be reached at (813) 948-4203 or cledra@tampatrib.com.

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