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Hernando Today

Postgame Scrum Mars NCT Victory

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 8, 2008

What was supposed to be a relatively meaningless game turned ugly Friday night, even as Nature Coast Technical improved to 9-0 with a 40-24 victory at Groveland-South Lake.

With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, the lights at the stadium went out. At that point, according to Nature Coast Head Coach Jamie Joyner, a South Lake player laid out Shark senior Tadd Govedich.

The Eagles then invaded the Nature Coast side of the field and a melee ensued, though the full details of the incident remain unclear. The remainder of the game was never completed.

The Sharks, ranked tenth in 3A, will host a regional quarterfinal in two weeks and certainly don't want to lose any players to suspension.

"I'm not concerned about it, but I guess we'll see," said Joyner, based on his conversation with the game officials.

Prior to the end-of-game shenanigans, Nature Coast had rallied from two small early South Lake (5-4) leads behind another fine performance by All-State running back Tevin Drake.

The junior scored three touchdowns and added a 2-point conversion, helping erase first-quarter deficits of 7-0 and 14-12.

The Sharks' other All-State player, senior defensive back Michael Fields, picked off a pass and also caught two touchdowns. Tight end Braddie Ellison added his own scoring reception from quarterback C.J. Baker.

"I think we did pretty well on offense. We were able to move the ball," Joyner said. "Defensively I thought they kept us off balance. They did a good job of mixing the run and pass. But you're going to have games like that."

The 24 points by the Eagles was the second most scored by a Nature Coast opponent. Crystal River put 28 up on the Sharks in September, but no other team has broken 20.

"They're probably the biggest team we've faced this year," Joyner said. "A big offensive line, good team speed. It was a good test for us at this time of year. They're a physical team. I'm happy about the fact we were in better shape than them."

Ironically this incident with South Lake comes a week before Nature Coast faces Central. Last year the Sharks and Bears were involved in a postgame altercation.

"Unfortunately we've been here before," Joyner said. "I'm really proud of the way our kids handled it."

NATURE COAST 40, SOUTH LAKE 24
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
Nature Coast 12 15 6 7 – 40
South Lake 14 3 7 0 – 24

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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