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Land O' Lakes delivers knockout blow

Staff Photo by Fred Bellet

Land O’ Lakes quelled Gulf’s attempts at an upset in the Gators’ 48-30 victory Friday night at Gator Stadium.

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By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2009

LAND O’ LAKES - There was a time when Mike Tyson was the most feared boxer on the face of this planet.

Many had a plan coming into the fight, but as soon as Tyson landed one of his punishing blows, those plans flew out of the window.

Then Tyson met Buster Douglas.

Friday night, Gulf football coach Jay Fulmer had a little Buster Douglass in his voice.

Prior to the matchup against highly favored Land O' Lakes, his message was clear, yet apprehensive.

"If we catch the ball, we'll be fine," he announced.

Those eight words practically transformed into a mantra as Fulmer reiterated that message during warm-ups and along the Gulf sidelines as the game progressed.

Ultimately it was a case of too little – catches, and players for that matter – too late for his Buccaneers as Land O' Lakes pulled away with a 48-30 victory.

It was more Buster Mathis Jr. – a third-round Tyson K.O. victim – than Buster Douglas, the first to ever beat the vaunted champion.

"We thought we had a good game plan coming in," Fulmer said. "We needed an early lead to make it a game. We knew that, we told the kids all week."

It was Gulf's plan to jump on Land O' Lakes and create a big enough cushion to allow the Bucs to beat back a team that has at least double the amount of players than Gulf's 24.

Of Gulf's first 25 offensive plays, 20 were passes. Many of which were directed downfield in an attempt to get into the end zone quick.

The Bucs' 12th pass of the night paid dividends as quarterback Madison Burr threw a strike to Tom Polito's back shoulder, allowing him to come back to it, catching the 5-yard pass for a score at the 5:54 mark of the first quarter.

On Gulf's next possession, Burr connected with Will Burbridge on a 13-yard scoring pass, giving Gulf a 14-0 advantage with 11:45 remaining in the second quarter.

Fulmer's mantra appeared to be gaining traction. And it would have to if they were to fight off a team able to platoon players.

"When it gets to the middle of the third quarter, we're going to be struggling and we know that," Fulmer admitted.

Land O' Lakes coach Matt Kitchie wasn't at all surprised at Gulf's quick strike offensive approach. In fact, they anticipated that strategy.

"We were expecting that because that's exactly what Zephyrhills did to us," Kitchie said. "What did catch us off guard was they were faster than we thought. The speed of (Burbridge) is a lot faster than we thought. They're a tough team. They're tough and gritty and I hate to say we know things were going to happen, but when you only have 24 kids, attrition just starts to get at you and I really think that was the difference in the game. And our kids' ability to stay in the game."

After another successful series by the Gulf defense, the Gators were forced to punt, giving yet another opportunity for Gulf (3-2, 0-2 Class 3A-District 7) to add to its advantage. But the tide began to shift when Gators linebacker Jackson Cannon blocked a fourth-and-12 punt, returning it 29 yards for a touchdown.

The Gators (4-0, 2-0) finally got into an offensive rhythm, scoring 20 points on touchdown receptions by Will Irwin and Jason Tello. A 53-yard burst by running back Tyler Peak put Land O' Lakes head, 26-14.

Land O' Lakes quarterback Stephen Weatherford finished the night 11 of 19 for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Peak led all rushers with his 119 yards on 17 carries. He scored once on the ground and another on a reception.

A 26-yard field goal by Travis Jehs and 6-yard quarterback sneak by Burr, tightened the deficit, 26-24. Burr accounted for 284 yards (220 passing, 64 rushing) and five scores (four passing, one rushing) for the Bucs.

Unfortunately for Gulf, things got out of hand – quickly. It took just 2-minutes, 11-seconds for the Gators to tally 22 points, padding its cushion, 48-24.

The victory keeps the logjam at the top of the district in place as Mitchell and Pasco are also 2-0 in district play. Land O' Lakes will travel to Pasco Oct. 23 and head to Mitchell Nov. 6.

Meanwhile, Gulf sinks to the bottom of the district along with Anclote, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, which are all 0-2.

As much as Fulmer wanted his team to be the one uncorking the knockout punch, it was Land O' Lakes delivering the punishing shots as the game progressed.

"Our kids, like I've said before, they're just strong, they know how to win, they know how to get things done," Kitchie said. "The punt block by us and then picking it up, that changed things. Then we also got the fumbled kickoff return, which when you have breaks like that, it really makes it easy to do some other things.

"It was a fun game to be a part of. A little stressful and long, but it's nice to get out of here with another district victory."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 259-7066.

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