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Golden Is Precious As Bucs Beat Rams

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By RICK HARMON

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 4, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY – On Aug. 10, Adrian Golden had a decision to make. He, along with his grandmother, had just moved. His choice was to stay at Ridgewood, where he had participated in 7-on-7 competition during the summer, or transfer to Gulf, where his cousin Leon Orr played.

Buccaneers coach Jay Fulmer says he knew nothing about Golden when Orr called him to say Golden had decided to go to Gulf.

"I knew he was [Byronell] Arline's backup last year," Fulmer said during preseason interviews. "When he showed up the first day, I could, tell he had some talent. He looked like a football player when we put pads on."

Five weeks into the season, that may be the biggest understatement of the year. Golden set a county rushing record as he became the first to run for more than 400 yards as he recorded 432 yards on 34 carries as the Bucs defeated city rival Ridgewood 52-28 before a packed house at Rams Booster Stadium on Friday.

"[Golden] is a special player," said Fulmer, who's Bucs are 5-0 for the first time since 1941. "Playing against these guys he's so close to, he wanted to make a statement. We're sure glad he's with us. He's a difference maker – just like Sterling is for them. When you get a great back in your program, it really makes you solid."

After a slow start where he only rushed for 76 yards (vs. Mitchell) and 85 (vs. River Ridge), he has put together three consecutive 200-plus games – 242 vs. Hernando and 261 vs. Wiregrass Ranch along with his 432 vs. Ridgewood.

Golden also has scored 11 touchdowns in his last two games, including 6 against the Rams (2-2). He has 18 total TDs in five games.

"One of the first things I saw this summer was his desire," Fulmer said. "I've coached two All-Americans and I've never seen anyone with his desire to score touchdowns like that kid has. He's not going to stop until he's in the end zone."

The senior, who now has 1,090 yards in five games, scored a 68-yard touchdown on the second play of the game. It was his first of six touchdowns in the game. His other scores were on runs of 15, 3, 2, 35 and 69.

"I try to score every time [I touch the ball]," Golden said. "If you don't try to score every time you touch the ball, you're not a very good running back. I try to run hard every play."

The game was billed as the battle of the two best running backs in the county and the crowd was not disappointed. Ridgewood's Sterling Ross, who was tied with Golden with 664 yards coming into the game, finished the night with 310 yards on 31 carries and scored four times. His TDs came on runs of 10, 20, 37 and 23 yards.

"We did everything we could possibly do [against Golden]," Ridgewood coach Chris Taylor said. "We just couldn't stop him."

While Taylor praised Ross in his performance, he felt the difference in the game came as the first half was ending. Following a Golden touchdown with 1 minute remaining in the half to give Gulf a 26-7 lead, the Rams started the ensuing drive at their own 42. Two Ross runs for short yardage and a 36-yard pass from Jimmy Mattos to Ross for 36 yards and a Gulf penalty gave the Rams first-and-goal at the Gulf 5.

But the Bucs held Ross to a 1-yard gain as time expired.

"We had the chance to cut the lead at the end of the first half and didn't do it," Taylor said. "We had the opportunity and didn't capitalize on it."

Gulf (5-0) finished with 504 yards rushing, 524 of total offense and 23 first downs. Ridgewood had 326 rushing, 436 total offense and 21 first downs. If there was one negative, it was Gulf's 14 penalties for 101 yards.

Gulf was playing without senior running back Tevin Gamble and junior starting quarterback Madison Burr. Gamble broke his ankle and had surgery Friday morning. He is out for the season. Burr cut his foot in a household accident Wednesday night and also is expected to be out this week against Sunlake.

Correspondent Rick Harmon can be reached at tampabaystringer@gmail.com

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