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Aycock Leads Scoring Attack

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

TAMPA - In the offseason, Chamberlain High coach Billy Turner worried his team wouldn't perform at the level many predicted it could.

The hype surrounding the preseason rankings and its top recruits were added pressure to a team slated to make a state championship run.

On Friday against Gaither, however, Chamberlain proved it was as good as the early recognition with a dominating performance over its long-time rival, 45-13.

"We played like a team that looks good on paper," Turner said. "We scored almost every time we had the ball. Defensively, we were scared to death, but we found out a lot of things tonight."

Chamberlain senior quarterback Dontae Aycock was responsible for three scores, rushing for two touchdowns on plays of 1 and 81 yards and a deep pass to receiver Ed Williams for a 58-yard touchdown.

"We had a game plan, our offensive line blocked everybody and I think we came out here and set the tone," said Aycock, who finished with 114 yards rushing and 113 yards passing.

Chamberlain's defense caught a break, however, as Gaither had to play without its star running back Jarvis Giles, who was battling an ankle injury he sustained in the preseason classic against Durant.

Despite not having its go-to player, the Cowboys managed to establish a solid running game against the Chiefs, led by sophomore Cary White who finished with 99 rushing yards and one touchdown. White's 2-yard run in the first quarter gave Gaither a 7-0.

But while Gaither tried to control the clock by running the ball, Chamberlain scored at will with the help of its star players. Receiver Anthony Williams returned a punt for 65 yards to give Chamberlain a 12-7 lead in the second quarter while senior running back Kenny Allen broke for a 40-yard run to give his team a 19-7 lead going into the half.

Senior tailback Lamond Scott added a 14-yard rushing touchdown and a 90-yard kick return to extend the lead.

"We wanted Jarvis out there because we didn't want any excuses," Aycock said. "He wasn't going to play but that didn't stop us. We acted like he was still out there. Our defense played solid football and our offense executed on every play."

Gaither had a chance to score going into the half but was stopped two yard shy of the end zone with 30 seconds left. Gaither coach Mark Kantor said the opportunity could have changed the outcome of the game.

"Absolutely," he said. "Now it would have been 19-14 and we're going into halftime with the momentum."

Although it was a crushing loss, Kantor isn't worried.

"We were 0-2 to start the season last year and then we won six straight," he said. "We're going to go back to work and we're going to get better."

Kantor said Giles will be questionable against Plant next week.

C-Scott 14 run (kick failed)

C-A. Williams 65 yard punt return (kick blocked)

C-Allen 40 run (Pullaro kick)

C-Scott 90 yard kick return (kick failed)

C-Aycock 81 run (Pullaro kick)

C-E. Williams 8 pass from Aycock (Pullaro kick)

G-Hosey 8 run (kick failed)

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