Satellite outscores Liberty in shootout

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Liberty couldn’t score enough, and Poinciana didn’t score at all in Kickoff Classics Wednesday.

Liberty lost a shootout at Satellite, 41-38, after leading, 12-0, in the first quarter and, 28-26, in the fourth quarter.

Poinciana played scoreless halves against Cypress Creek and Inverness Citrus at its jamboree.

Both games were moved from Friday because of Hurricane Irene.

“We lost it on the last drive,” Liberty Coach David Benson said. “We were up 12-0, then we had two turnovers back-to-back, a muffed punt at our 1 and a scoop and score that turned it around. They were hanging their heads, and if we had punched one more in I guarantee you it would have been over.”

Because of the short week of practice, Benson said his team had little time to get ready for the game.

“I understand why they moved it, but we essentially had one day to prepare. We had to get off the field early Tuesday because of lightning,” Benson said. “We made way too many mental mistakes, but with just one day (to prepare), I’m proud of the way we played.”

Junior running back Jalen Benn scored four touchdowns, one on a pass from quarterback Terrell Bonds. Bonds also rushed for a score, and Demetrius Taylor also scored for the Chargers.

“When you score 38 points, usually you feel pretty good about the way things went. We’re probably a little ahead of where I expected us to be,” Benson said.

The defense, he said, played well, but not consistently well.

“We’d do a pretty good job on first and second down, and then let them get a third-and-long to keep drives alive,” Benson said. “We have to learn to finish and get off the field. Our tackling was terrible. That will be job No. 1 in practice.”

The Chargers host Haines City in the regular season opener Sept. 2.

Poinciana played old school football against Cypress Creek and Citrus Wednesday on a rain-sodden field that slowed the teams.

The Eagles looked efficient on their first possession against Cypress Creek, moving from their 33 to the Bears’ 18 before the drive stalled.

Allyn Sanchez raced 26 yards to the Bears’ 26 with a fake punt to keep the drive alive, but running back Anderson Yard was stopped a yard short on fourth-and-2 to halt the drive.

Neither team threatened after that. Eagles linebacker Theron Ellis made three solo tackles to blunt the Bears’ first possession, which ended at the Eagles’ 40.

“I thought it was OK. We made a lot of mistakes in areas we shouldn’t have,” Coach Cory Fleming said. “The kids got a chance to see where they are at, and they said they need to work harder, which is a plus because they are recognizing their mistakes.“

Poinciana hosts Gateway Sept. 2.