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Giles Helps Gaither Surge Past Jesuit

By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2008

Updated: 10/04/2008 12:36 am

TAMPA - Before his team left the locker room, Gaither coach Mark Kantor made each player turn and face the Hall of Fame wall that is dotted with photos of former Gaither standouts.

"Those guys are watching you," Kantor said. "Make them proud."

The current Gaither (2-3) squad did, pulling out a come-from-behind 18-14 victory against Jesuit (4-1) on Friday night.

"We were resilient," Kantor said. "We overcame the adversity of the 554 penalties that were called."

It may have felt like 554, but it was actually 26 combined penalties for 270 yards. With the constant stoppage in play, both teams struggled to find a rhythm.

Gaither scored first when quarterback Kamren Hawkins capped the Cowboys' second possession with a 10-yard pass to senior receiver Yemi Oyegunle. A botched snap on the point-after attempt resulted in a failed pass.

Jesuit responded with a 38-yard scoring drive that ended with senior Greg Dupell's 2-yard touchdown run. Tyler Feely's extra point gave the Tigers a one-point lead.

Gaither's defense held Hillsborough County rushing leader Robby Garcia to 17 first-half yards. The Tigers defense held University of Tennessee commitment Jarvis Giles to 16 yards in the half.

That didn't last.

After Jesuit opened the third quarter with a 74-yard scoring drive that resulted in quarterback Bobby Eveld's 1-yard touchdown run, Giles got Gaither back on track. The senior broke several tackles en route to a 54-yard TD run that pulled the Cowboys within two.

"On the sideline, I was kind of holding my breath because I knew he was capable of popping one off," Jesuit coach Joe Ross said. "And, sure enough, he did."

Gaither went ahead midway through the fourth quarter when Giles (20 carries for 103 yards) capped a 91-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Jesuit turned the ball over on downs and fumbled a punt in its final three possessions.