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Middleton Wins Bragging Rights

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 30, 2007

TAMPA - Last season, it took a late interception to seal a victory for Middleton against Blake in the Florida Sentinel Heritage Classic.

In the presence of about 9,000 fans Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, the Tigers didn't need any last-second heroics as they cruised to a 40-0 win to take a 5-1 lead in the revived rivalry series.

Middleton senior quarterback DeAndre Presley led the Tigers (3-2) with 120 yards passing, with three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He was also named Middleton's MVP.

After receiving the award, Presley asked his teammates to huddle around him. He told them the award reflected the entire team, not just his individual efforts.

'Middleton coach Harry Hubbard is always teaching us humility,' Presley said. 'That's the one thing that when you're humble it'll take you far. That's my family, man; I can't accept something by myself without giving them the glory also.'

Presley connected on touchdowns for 26, 46 and 11 yards. He also finished with 113 rushing yards, highlighted by a 96-yard run in the second quarter in which he broke three tackles and outran Blake's secondary for the score.

Middleton senior running back Carlton Jones, the MVP of last year's 19-12 Tigers victory, finished the game with 122 yards, one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown.

Blake sophomore Tevon Mutchinson finished with 44 yards rushing to earn the MVP trophy for the Yellow Jackets, who fell to 0-5.

'Middleton is a very good team,' Blake senior lineman Vittorio Ottanelli said. 'They outplayed us on offense and defense. They just played very well. It's bragging rights, and I understand that, and they're winners tonight.'

Blake drove to Middleton's 28 in the third quarter, the deepest it had gotten the entire game, but turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass. Middleton's defense recorded three sacks, two interceptions and recovered two fumbles en route to its first shutout of the season.

'The score is impressive and everything, but during our bye week, we're still going to be working hard,' said Middleton defensive lineman Andre Coleman, who finished with a sack and a fumble recovery. 'Our defense did very well. Everybody did their job.'

Middleton jumped out to a 27-0 lead at halftime thanks to a few big plays from Presley and Jones. Presley connected with Danario Johnson for a 26-yard pass and later found Jones for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Jones rushed for 57 yards in the first half with one rushing touchdown. Presley completed three passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Blake, however, couldn't get much offense going in the first half. Senior running back Willie Hopps led the Jackets with 23 yards rushing. Blake quarterback Michael McFarland was sacked three times in the first half and went 2-for-5 with an interception. McFarland finished four of 13 for 44 yards and two interceptions.

'I thank God that he smiled on us and gave us the opportunity to beat them,' Hubbard said. 'I don't take anything away from them because they fought hard. We figured they would try some things that were a little unorthodox. I noticed they didn't run their offense until a little later in the game. They needed a boost and a spark and it just didn't happen.'

The rivalry between the schools ended when both predominately black high schools closed in the 1970s. Blake reopened in 1997 while Middleton reopened in 2002.

M-Jones 1 run (Wehr kick)

M-Jones 46 pass from Presley (Wehr kick)

M-Presley 96 run (Wehr kick)

M-Sanders 11 pass from Presley (Wehr kick)

M-Allen 27 run (Wehr kick)

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Preps for news and notes from Saturday night's Blake-Middleton game at Raymond James Stadium.

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