By Coach Brad Lord, South Lake High School
Final Score: Nature Coast Tech 14/South Lake High School 12
Place: SLHS Eagle Stadium on Aug 23, 2024
Game Summary: Nature Coast Tech controlled the clock with a strong running game in the first half while the South Lake High School Eagle Offense struggled to move the chains. Nature Coast went up 7-0 in the first quarter and held the lead until halftime.
The game was a defensive battle and the Sharks would take advantage of a fumbled exchange between Tre Kelly and JR Misere that would give the Sharks a short field where they punched in another touchdown, giving them a 14-0 lead. Late in the third quarter, Eagle standout Rome McKinnond intercepted a pass returning it 25 yards giving the Eagles field position to start the fourth quarter. To start the fourth quarter Mckinnond would bust of tackle for a 45-yard touchdown. The Eagles would have the extra point blocked cutting the lead to 14-6. The Eagle defense which played outstanding all night would again shut down the Sharks offense. Five plays later Mr. McKinnond found the end zone cutting the score to 14-12 late in the fourth quarter. The shark defense would however stop Mckinnond on the two-point conversion securing the Shark victory.
“We started very slow and our passing attack struggled in the weather with dropped balls. We had costly penalties in the first half that broke up some nice drives. The players never quit. We put ourselves in a position to win the game in the fourth quarter and unfortunately, we did not execute on an extra point as well as a two-point conversion. We lost the turnover battle as well. Rome Mckinnond rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns and our defense had shining moments throughout the night. We had to finish our drives and we did not. We have a lot to clean up before going to Tavares.”
Date of next game: Thursday 8/29 @ Tavares 7 PM
