At Inverness
Countryside 28, Citrus 20
Spring game-breakers: Countryside ran the ball efficiently and displayed a solid passing game, while playing physical defense. The Cougars forced three fumbles, converting two into touchdowns. …Countryside quarterback Trent Chmelik had three touchdown passes and ran for a score. Trailing 13-7 after quarterback Desmond Franklin ran right through the Cougars’ defense for a 65-yard touchdown gallop in the second quarter, Countryside reeled off 21 unanswered points to take a 28-13 lead in the third quarter. In that span, Chmelik hit an open Chris Ryan (two TD receptions) for an 18-yard touchdown strike off a rollout. Just before the half, Chmelik connected with a leaping Slyvester Kimbrough for an 8-yard touchdown. Both of the touchdowns before the half were set up by Citrus fumbles. …The Cougars were exposed in the passing game at times, as Citrus receiver Sam Franklin had four receptions for 131 yards and a 30-yard touchdown catch.
Did you know? Pinellas Park coach Kenny Crawford made the trip from Pinellas County to watch his rival play.
Audible 1: “A lot of the guys I expected to make plays did. I’m proud of the kids for playing hard and physical. The quarterback did a good job finding open receivers, and the receivers did a good job competing for the ball in the air, and the backs ran hard and physical.” — Eric Schmitz, first-year Countryside coach
Audible 2:“We showed what we could do with a lot of guys out.” — Chmelik