WINTER
HAVEN QUARTERBACK D.C. JEFFERSON is sacked by Auburndale High's
Kenny Davis during the first half Friday night at Bruce Canova
Stadium in Auburndale. |
AUBURNDALE | What a year it's been for Auburndale.
The Bloodhounds lost their first three games of the season by a combined score
of 81-6. They are now district champions.
Auburndale completed its impressive turnaround by rallying from a 17-point
halftime deficit to stun archrival Winter Haven, 19-17, Friday night to remain
undefeated in Class 4A, District 12 in front of 1,000 fans at Bruce Canova
Stadium.
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| With Lake Region's 31-28 loss to Groveland South Lake, the Bloodhounds (4-4,
3-0) clinched the district title. "I'm proud of what our kids have done," Auburndale coach Pat Dooley said.
"They've overcome obstacles and hard times. They practiced hard day in and day
out. They've gotten better each week."
Defending district champion Winter Haven (0-8, 0-3), which had to forfeit its
victories, including two district victories, is now eliminated from a playoff
berth.
"Emotionally, it's been a tough 24 hours," Winter Haven coach Charlie Tate said.
"I think we gave them life and got a little bit of doubt. The offense didn't
help the defense in the second half."
All three Auburndale touchdowns came on second-half passes from Demarcus Davis
to Doug Rogers, including the game-winner, an 11-yard pass with 4:03 remaining.
But it was the running of Keeshawn Maxwell that sparked the Bloodhounds. He
finished with 164 yards on 19 carries, including 60 yards on a 61-yard scoring
drive to start the second half.
For much of the first half, it appeared as if No. 8-ranked Winter Haven was on
its way to a blowout. Senior quarterback D.C. Jefferson, who committed to LSU
this week and finished with 198 yards passing, threw for 126 yards to lead the
offense with running back Arkim Hall scoring two touchdowns.
The Bloodhounds, however, were able to carry the momentum of their late stop
into the second half. After scoring on their first possession of the second
half, the capitalized on Winter Haven penalties to score two in the fourth
quarter.
On third-and-12 at the 25, Davis scrambled for 26 yards and was tackled out of
bounds. The late hit started a scuffle and two players, one from each team, were
ejected. The extra 15-yards on the late hit put the ball on the 34, and Davis
and Rogers hooked up for an 11-yard scoring pass.
Auburndale recovered a fumble on Winter Haven's next possession at the Blue
Devils 28. Winter Haven nearly preserved its victory with an interception, but a
roughing the passer call negated the play, and Davis and Rogers hooked up one
more time for the winning score.
Auburndale plays at Lake Region next week, while Winter Haven hosts Poinciana.
[ Roy Fuoco can be reached at 863-802-7549 or roy.fuoco@theledger.com. ]
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