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Gibbs 38, Pinellas Park 13

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TBO.com

Published: October 27, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Gibbs High enjoyed what appeared to be the makings of a classic rout as it entered halftime of its homecoming game with 38 unanswered points against Pinellas Park in a Class 5A-District 9 matchup. The Patriots returned to the field with a gritty ground game that held the Gladiators scoreless in the second half, but were unable to bridge the first-half deficit as the Gladiators won 38-13.

Led by quarterback Lamar Hall, the Gladiators scored four touchdowns in the first quarter. Hall connected a short pass to wide receiver Kevonta Brown for a 70-yard touchdown, followed by rushing touchdowns by Devon McCullough, Matt Cabassa and Devon McCullough. The Gladiators (6-2, 4-0) continued to roll with a 27-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Marcus Russ, and a 48-yard field goal by Tommy Hains.

But that's all the home team would garner, as the Patriots (1-7, 1-3) owned the second half with quarterback Jesse Redden engineering a pair of touchdowns by running back Chris McKinnie in the third and fourth quarters.

Gladiators coach Yusuf Shakir said he thought his players may have been a little distracted by the homecoming aura. 'At halftime we figured we had it made,' he said. 'I told them if we stay focused and keep going, we'll be OK.'

With five minutes remaining in regulation, the Patriots made good on their onside kick attempt, but lost Redden to an injured leg on the following play. McKinnie took over at QB, but game ended with the Gladiators sealing their homecoming victory.

Steve Sims

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