By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

The story is similar Friday for Gateway, Celebration and Poinciana — all coming off losses last week, and all three teams preparing to face talented playoff-bound squads.

The Panthers rallied from a 13-0 deficit to Cypress Creek last Thursday, but they could only watch as the Bears kicked a short field goal on the final play of the game to win, 16-13, for their first victory of the year, spoiling Gateway’s homecoming.

“That was a low point; the kids really wanted it, us coaches told them we took the blame,” GHS Coach Marlin Roberts said. “I give our kids credit for staying with it after getting down. Cypress Creek is no slouch. Their biggest obstacle has been their schedule. They’ve played a lot of hard teams.”

Cypress Creek (1-6, 1-3 in 6A District 6) scored twice to take a 13-0 lead, but Dovonte Dobson answered right back after the second score with a 90-yard kickoff return that made it 13-7, where it stayed until halftime.

The Panthers (2-5, 0-3) got second-half field goals from Felipe Oliviera, the last one coming with under two minutes left, to tie the score. The Bears answered with a long pass play inside the 10-yard line that set up the winning kick.

“The kids wanted a district win. There hasn’t been one here since 2006, or something,” Roberts said. “The kids wanted a chance to turn things around and carry some confidence, considering what’s coming up for us.”

On that subject, the Panthers will host Dr. Phillips (7-0) Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Also the Panthers, Dr. Phillips is one of the best teams in the state in any class and ranked No. 2 in the 6A state poll while garnering some first-place votes.

Dr. Phillips beat Osceola, 48-7, during Week 2.

The team is led by quarterback Nick Patti (74-for-109, 1,261 yards, 18 TDs) and Michigan oral commitment Demetrius Hart (1,015 rushing yards, 19 TDs) at tailback, one of a handful of Division I college prospects dotting the roster.

Roberts knows that the odds for a win are long on Friday, but he thinks his team will benefit no matter what the outcome.

“We’re going to do what we do and try to be an improved football team. Yes, we know they’re good. We’re going to do our best David impression and sling some rocks at Goliath.”

Celebration also fell behind early last week against Sebring and never recovered, losing 55-14 in a 3A District 9 game.

The Storm (3-5) trailed 14-0 after the Blue Streaks (4-3) ran two offensive plays.

“We gave them a lot of help, they aren’t that many points better,” CHS Coach Ben Aarestad said. “We moved the ball. We gave them a lot of short fields. They had 100 yards of offense on six of their drives.”

Gerald Torres caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback William Santry in the second half, and Tyler Osorio returned a kickoff 94 yards for another score.

Osorio added a 40-yard catch and is the county’s receiving yardage leader (656).

The Storm travel to Winter Haven, who came from behind to defeat Lake Wales, 14-7, last week.

The Blue Devils (7-1) can win the district championship by beating Celebration Friday at 7 p.m.

“They’re obviously very good if they beat Lake Wales,” Aarestad said of the Blue Devils. “It will be tough. I don’t know if they have a weakness. We hope to have some surprises for them.”

Poinciana will be challenged by 4A District 7 co-leader Edgewater at Eagles field at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Poinciana, 0-7 and 0-3 in the district, comes off a 40-6 loss against St. Cloud last week that officially eliminated it from the playoff race.

Coach Michael Timpson sat three starters for the first half for disciplinary reasons, he said.

“We’re doing things the right way here. That’s the only way to build a program, and that’s the way it’s going to be going forward,” Timpson said.

Edgewater, 4-3 and 3-0, beat Harmony last week and can clinch a tie for the district championship by beating Poinciana.

“You do everything you can to win the game. It depends on how you match up with their athletes as to how much success you’ll have,” Timpson said.

Many of the Poinciana JV players came up to the varsity last week to lend depth.

“It will give them a chance to get some game experience,” Timpson said.

The Eagles visit Liberty next week and end the season at Agape Christian Nov. 5.

Rick Pedone contributed to this story.