By Coach Brad Lord, South Lake High School

Final result: Nature Coast Tech 14/South Lake High School 12
Location: SLHS Eagle Stadium on August 23, 2024

Game overview: Nature Coast Tech controlled the clock with a strong running game in the first half while South Lake High School’s Eagle offense had trouble moving the chains. Nature Coast jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and held the lead until halftime.

The game was a battle of defense and the Sharks took advantage of a fumble between Tre Kelly and JR Misere that gave the Sharks a short field where they scored another touchdown and took a 14-0 lead. Late in the third quarter, Eagle star Rome McKinnond intercepted a pass that was returned 25 yards, giving the Eagles good field position to start the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, McKinnond broke a tackle and scored a 45-yard touchdown. The Eagles had their extra point blocked, cutting the lead to 14-6. The Eagle defense, which had played excellently all night, again stopped the Sharks offense. Five plays later, Mr. McKinnond found the end zone and cut the score to 14-12 late in the fourth quarter. However, the Sharks defense stopped McKinnond’s two-point conversion, securing the Sharks’ victory.

“We started very slowly and our passing attack struggled with dropped balls in the weather. We had costly penalties in the first half that interrupted some nice drives. The players never gave up. We put ourselves in a position to win the game in the fourth quarter and unfortunately we didn’t convert an extra point or a two-point conversion. We also lost the battle for possession. Rome McKinnond ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns and our defense had some brilliant moments all night. We needed to finish our drives and we didn’t. We have a lot of cleanup to do before we go to Tavares.”

Date of next game: Thursday, 29.8., Tavares, 19:00