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Tigers Use Defense To Overwhelm Eagles

By CHRIS ERRINGTON

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 6, 2008

TAMPA - With a freshman quarterback at the helm, it is no coincidence Middleton will rely heavily on its defense this season. For one night at least, it more than passed the test.

Middleton (1-0) held visiting Brandon to minus-15 yards rushing and eight first downs, two via penalty, recorded six sacks and forced a pair of critical second quarter turnovers that led to quick-strike touchdowns in a 21-5 victory on Friday night.

"I'm not surprised by how the defense played, because I knew it would be our strong point," Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said.

"We are a young offense, so I told them they need to carry us".

Leading 6-3 early in the second quarter, Phillip Jones fell on a loose ball at the Brandon 3-yard line. Two plays later Greg Windham, making his first start at quarterback, scored from five yards out. Two possessions later and with time running out in the first half, Wendell Lewis intercepted a Dillion Lassiter pass and returned it to the Brandon 33-yard line. This time it took Windham just one play to strike again, hitting Dorian Ferrell down the right sideline with only two seconds remaining.

Windham finished 3 of 10 for 51 yards and the one touchdown.

With the way the Tigers defense played, the 21-3 halftime score seemed all but insurmountable. One key goal line stand proved it was.

An errant punt snap gave Brandon (0-1) the ball at the Middleton 3-yard line with more than 11 minutes remaining in the game. But then three runs and the tenth Brandon penalty forced a fourth down at the 5-yard line.

Once again Middleton's defense made the key play, stopping a run well short of scoring, ending any Eagles comeback attempt.

"The defense played well all night and sometimes you've gotta let the kids play," Hubbard said. "I wanted to see if they'd hold them and they did again."

Tigers junior Rodney Johnson led all rushers with 91 yards on 20 carries.