JULINGTON CREEK – It had all the hype of one of the top games of the season, but would it live up to the expectations ?
When No. 1 Swiss Point and No. 2 Gamble Rogers met last night at Plantation Park, it had all the makings of a early season showdown, but also a possible preview of a county championship later.
Aaron Wynn opened the season with a bang taking the opening kickoff back 91 yards for a score to give Gamble Rogers an earl 7-0 lead just seconds into the game.
Stingrays quarterback King Benford, 5 of 6 for 51 yards, connected with Terrell Newsome, 5 catches for 51 yards, for a second quarter touchdown increasing the lead to 15-0 at the half.
Defending 2016 count champions Swiss Point wouldn’t go away though as Dominic Fields scored on a 5-yard run in the third quarter to cut the lead to 15-6. Fields was stopped on the two point try, inches from the goal line to keep the score at a nine point deficit.
That’s when Stingrays coach Matt Potak and his staff said sixth grader Trey Pate made the play of the game recovering the ensuing onside kick.
Potak and his staff felt like Swiss Point might have seized the momentum at that point and easily could taken control of the game.
Wynn, 64 yards on 8 carries, struck again early in the fourth quarter racing 50 yards untouched down the Stingrays sideline to increase the lead to 22-6 to seize back the momentum.
Benford, 108 yards on 8 carries, closed it out with an electrifying 70 yard run untouched to give the Stingrays a shocking 29-6 lead.
Potak and his staff told the team how proud they were of their effort and getting the win and to enjoy it tonight; but tomorrow forget about it as they start preparing for their home opener at 5 p.m. next Wednesday against Sebastian.
Swiss Point (0-1) and coach Don Luczak will try to rebound when they hosts Patriot Oaks (1-0) next Thursday at Durbin Park at 5 p.m.
