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Turner, defense lift Edgewater back to 6A finals
The Eagles beat Ely 20-13 to earn their 3rd consecutive shot at an elusive title.
By Bill Buchalter | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 4, 2004
Edgewater is returning to the Class 6A stated championship game for an unprecedented third year in a row.
But it wasn't easy and few among the 5,000 Frank Lough Field fans could have predicted the script.
Antonio Turner lifted his teammates on his shoulders emotionally and physically to rush the Eagles (12-1) to a 20-13 victory over Pompano Beach Ely (11-3) Friday night.
Turner had to switch from his usual fullback role to fill in for leading rusher Tim Holloman, who severely sprained his ankle on the first offensive series.
Turner's 165 yards and two short touchdown plunges of 1 and 2 yards, plus a blitzing defense, sealed the trip to Gainesville Dec. 11 to play Miami Killian for the championship.
"This was a special victory to be get that special opportunity for a special group of kids," Edgewater Coach Bill Gierke said. He had to be reminded it was his special night, too -- his 51st birthday.
Ely came to town with a coaching staff familiar with Edgewater's players and coaches, great team speed and a half-dozen playmakers that had been averaging 45 points per game throughout the playoffs.
The visitors were led by quarterback Carlton Jackson, who has been offered a scholarship by a number of schools, including Ohio State.
Undaunted, defensive coordinator Chip Gierke challenged his Eagles defenders at halftime to reach another level of play and slow down Ely's no-huddle offense.
Lorenzo Edwards, Justin Jenkins and Mike Williams all contributed to big defensive plays when they were needed.
Ely scored first on Devan James' 2-yard run one play after Rodney Lovett scooted 81 yards on an inside trap play.
Edgewater's blitzers limited him to 22 additional yards. The defense took the ball on downs at their own 18, 35 and 49 yard lines and then turned the ball over to Turner and the offensive line.
Trailing 7-3 in the second quarter, Turner directed a 59-yard, 11-play drive with a 1-yard scoring run set up by a Robert Arnheim-to-Bryant Carpenter pass.
Turner and Arnheim also teamed up on a 55-yard, 13-play drive in the final six minutes of the quarter to set up Jordan Dodds' second field goal of the game, a 33-yarder just five ticks before halftime.
On the winning, 65-yard, 9-play fourth-quarter scoring drive, Turner had a 25-yard run.
Bill Buchalter can be reached at bbuchalter@orlandosentinel.com.
Edgewater 20, Ely 13 Ely 7 6 0 0 -- 13
Edgewater 3 10 0 7 -- 20
FIRST -- E: James 2 run (Blanchard kick); ED: Dodds FG 22; SECOND -- E: Graham 5 run (kick failed); ED: Turner 1 run (Dodds kick); ED: Dodds FG 33; FOURTH -- ED: Turner 2 run (Dodds kick).
The Eagles beat Ely 20-13 to earn their 3rd consecutive shot at an elusive title.
By Bill Buchalter | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 4, 2004
Edgewater is returning to the Class 6A stated championship game for an unprecedented third year in a row.
But it wasn't easy and few among the 5,000 Frank Lough Field fans could have predicted the script.
Antonio Turner lifted his teammates on his shoulders emotionally and physically to rush the Eagles (12-1) to a 20-13 victory over Pompano Beach Ely (11-3) Friday night.
Turner had to switch from his usual fullback role to fill in for leading rusher Tim Holloman, who severely sprained his ankle on the first offensive series.
Turner's 165 yards and two short touchdown plunges of 1 and 2 yards, plus a blitzing defense, sealed the trip to Gainesville Dec. 11 to play Miami Killian for the championship.
"This was a special victory to be get that special opportunity for a special group of kids," Edgewater Coach Bill Gierke said. He had to be reminded it was his special night, too -- his 51st birthday.
Ely came to town with a coaching staff familiar with Edgewater's players and coaches, great team speed and a half-dozen playmakers that had been averaging 45 points per game throughout the playoffs.
The visitors were led by quarterback Carlton Jackson, who has been offered a scholarship by a number of schools, including Ohio State.
Undaunted, defensive coordinator Chip Gierke challenged his Eagles defenders at halftime to reach another level of play and slow down Ely's no-huddle offense.
Lorenzo Edwards, Justin Jenkins and Mike Williams all contributed to big defensive plays when they were needed.
Ely scored first on Devan James' 2-yard run one play after Rodney Lovett scooted 81 yards on an inside trap play.
Edgewater's blitzers limited him to 22 additional yards. The defense took the ball on downs at their own 18, 35 and 49 yard lines and then turned the ball over to Turner and the offensive line.
Trailing 7-3 in the second quarter, Turner directed a 59-yard, 11-play drive with a 1-yard scoring run set up by a Robert Arnheim-to-Bryant Carpenter pass.
Turner and Arnheim also teamed up on a 55-yard, 13-play drive in the final six minutes of the quarter to set up Jordan Dodds' second field goal of the game, a 33-yarder just five ticks before halftime.
On the winning, 65-yard, 9-play fourth-quarter scoring drive, Turner had a 25-yard run.
Bill Buchalter can be reached at bbuchalter@orlandosentinel.com.
Edgewater 20, Ely 13 Ely 7 6 0 0 -- 13
Edgewater 3 10 0 7 -- 20
FIRST -- E: James 2 run (Blanchard kick); ED: Dodds FG 22; SECOND -- E: Graham 5 run (kick failed); ED: Turner 1 run (Dodds kick); ED: Dodds FG 33; FOURTH -- ED: Turner 2 run (Dodds kick).