ORLANDO – The Atlantic Eagles state title dreams were crushed Saturday night (Dec. 9) after suffering a 17-7 loss to the Dr. Phillips Panthers.
This was a game of many emotions as both teams were well aware of the high stakes. Atlantic and Dr. Phillips were not the favorites to be in the 8A state championship game at the beginning of the season, so both teams had to prove themselves all season long.
Dr. Phillips couldn’t get anything going all night against the stingy Atlantic defense. The Panthers first score would come on a 8-yard blocked punt return by junior linebacker Japerri Powell late in the first quarter.
The Panthers would score again in the first half on a 28-yard field goal by senior kicker Sterling Stockwell late in the second quarter. This would push the Panthers lead to 10-0 at halftime.
Both offenses were very sluggish as they traded three-and-outs throughout the first half.
In particular, Atlantic gained just 40 yards of total offense in the first two frames. As a matter of fact, the Eagles had more yards in penalties (72) than offensive total yardage in the first half.
Atlantic’s defense only gave up a field goal in the first half. Dr. Phillips held Atlantic scoreless and tallied three sacks in the process.
Both the Atlantic and Dr. Phillips defenses remained stingy during the second half, as both offenses couldn’t get in the red zone.
Atlantic sophomore defensive tackle Henry Bryant III would come up with a big sack in the third quarter, which ignited the Eagles fans and gave them some momentum to start the second half.
The Eagles suffered a huge blow in the fourth quarter at the hands of Dr. Phillips junior linebacker Cameron Williams, who intercepted an Antoine Williams II pass and returned the ball nine yards for a touchdown. The score put the Panthers up 17-0 with 9:53 left in the fourth quarter.
Atlantic found some life on offense as Williams II would find the end zone on a 24-yard run with 3:38 left in the game. The Eagles would try an onside kick, but the Panthers would recover and effectively run the clock out.
This game was simply a tale of two defenses that were relentless the entire night. Atlantic’s defense only gave up three points the entire game.
Dr. Phillips defense has two pass rushers that are identical twins, Japerri and Jaquarri Powell. The pair led the Panthers defensive charge as they harassed Atlantic’s offense all night, combining for 11 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, and one touchdown.
This 8A state title game truly showed that defense wins championships.
