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White, defense carry Sickles

Staff photo by CHRIS URSO

Sickles' John Hendrick is brought down by Alonso's Joshua Armand (9) and Anthony Chickillo Thursday.

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2009

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TAMPA - Sickles coach Pat O'Brien acknowledged that his junior halfback Cary White has been a major factor in the

Gryphons' run to the playoffs, but he cautioned that no one should forget his defense.

"Cary has done a great job, but our defense is playing a full four quarters now, and that has meant a lot, (so) don't forget our defense," O'Brien said after Sickles beat Alonso (3-5) 41-21.

White scored four touchdowns for Sickles (7-2.

The Sickles defense shut down Wyoming signee C.J. Bennett, who had 41 passing yards in the first half.

"Our defense came up huge for us again," O'Brien said.

Sickles has clinched second place in its district and will likely face Armwood in the first round of the state playoffs. It will mark only the third playoff appearance in school history.

Brieann Dollard scored on the Gryphons' first possession, taking a short pass from J.M. Hendrick 43 yards for the score. After a punt, Sickles struck again, this time on a 3-yard run by White.

Hendrick found Chris Nahat on the Gryphons' next possession to make it 21-0 midway through the first quarter.

Alonso struck back when Bennett hooked up with Franklin Mosley for a 4-yard scoring pass, but White scored his second TD early in the second to make it 28-7.

White opened the second half with a 69-yard run to put the game away and capped the scoring with a 10-yard run in the final minutes, his fourth TD of the night.