GAINESVILLE | Football played in inclement weather usually lends to sloppy, poorly executed games. The District 5-5A opener between Eastside and Dunnellon played at Citizens field did not disappoint. After an hour delay, The Rams and Tigers kicked off a first half that would be marred by penalties and turnovers.
Dunnellon took the lead going into halftime by a score of 14-9. Jordan Boley scored on a 13 yard run and Dustin Molina pick-sixed a Landon Rogers pass from 42 yards out.
The second half saw Eastside play with more precision and emotion. Landon Rogers led the Rams on long, steady drives ending in a touchdown pass to Keandre McCray from 15 yards out and a 24 yard run by Dantez Willis, putting Eastside up 22-14.
However, Dunnellon was not ready to concede defeat. The Tiger defense stood firm, rejecting Eastside’s attempts to put the game away.
With less than a minute remaining, Dunnellon forced Eastside to punt from its own 10 yard line. And on the most bizarre play of the game, punter Joseph Malu ran the ball out of his own endzone, giving the Tiger’s two points, the ball and a chance to win the game.
When asked why the decision was made to take the safety instead of just punting, Coach Parker replied, “I wanted to give them some distance to travel instead of taking the risk of a botched punt and just giving away a touchdown.”
The strategy almost backfired and Dunnellon came within one red zone completion, from the Eastside 9 yard line of completing the comeback.
All in all Coach Parker had faith his defense would come through. “We have faith in our defense. They play aggressively. They did a heck of a job in the end.”
Eastside with the win pulls its record to (2-2, 1-0) taking the early lead in the district. While Dunnellon drops to (1-3, 0-1) on the young season.
