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2003-04 FOOTBALL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
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Game Stats 07
Players Named to Class 5A ALL-STATE HONORS:
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November 21, 2003 - Playoffs Winter Springs - 20 Game Highlights:
It was not to be. Hillsborough quarterback Jarred Fayson scored on a 15-yard run late to give the Terriers (10-2) a 26-20 victory against Winter Springs (7-5) in a Class 5A, Region 2 semifinal Friday night. Cucci's 1-yard dive into the end zone had given the Bears a 20-19 lead, capping a 62-yard drive that began with 4:31 gone in the final quarter. After Fayson's touchdown, the Lions had a chance to snatch victory, but Brett Hodges' desperation pass as time expired fell short of receiver Chris Sienko, who had gotten behind the Terriers' prevent defense. "I'm just heartbroken for the seniors." Bears Coach Steve Katz said. "They have worked so hard to turn this program from a laughingstock to a team that can contend for the state title. We lost to a very good football team tonight." The Bears could not capitalize on a goal-line stand by their defense. They held the Terriers three times on the 1-yard line before Hillsborough was called for holding, negating a touchdown on fourth down. The subsequent field goal was blocked by junior Darryl Ely. Hodges found Cucci in the end zone with 30 seconds remaining to tie the score at 7 at halftime. Hodges finished with 17-31 for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Hillsborough immediately grabbed back the initiative when Ricky Ponton took the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown. Two plays later, Stephan Knight took an interception 42 yards to give the Terriers a 19-7 lead. Article from the Orlando Sentinel. November 14, 2003 - Playoffs Winter Springs - 21 Game Highlights: The Cucci brothers, Pat and Vinny, and the visiting Winter Springs Bears (7-4) pulled off a stunning 21-19 upset of nationally ranked Palm Bay (9-2) in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs Friday night. Bears players, coaches, fans and family lingered long after the game, savoring the sweet taste of the biggest football victory in the school's six-year history. Winter Springs advances to play at Tampa Hillsborough on Friday at 7:30 p.m. "There's no feeling like beating the No. 1 team in the state, the No. 3 team in the nation," said Pat Cucci, a senior. "There's nothing like it." Third-year Winter Springs Coach Steve Katz also teared up as he tried to find words to describe a team that stumbled to a 1-3 start. "We chose not to give up, just fight to get better," Katz said. The Bears controlled the line of scrimmage against a powerhouse program and mashed a defense that was Palm Bay's strength. Tailback Kevin Harris ran 23 times for 134 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 14-12 lead at the half. Earlier, Harris fooled the Pirates by faking a handoff and running 66 yards to set up the Bears' first score. Palm Bay went back in front 19-14 after All-America wideout Xavier Carter made a spectacular juggling catch for 44 yards. But again the Bears were up to the task. On fourth-and-11 with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter, Winter Springs junior quarterback Brett Hodges threw a perfect strike to Andrew Bonnett for a 26-yard go-ahead touchdown. Friday's loss was Palm Bay's first in the first round of the playoffs since 1996. Palm Bay had gotten at least to the state semifinals five of the past six seasons. Article from the Orlando Sentinel. November 7, 2003 Lake Mary- 6 Game Highlights: Host Winter Springs crushed the Rams, 35-6 in a game in which the Bears were considered slight underdogs. It's a role that Winter Springs' players and coaches have relished all season. "Our kids love challenges, and they respond," said Winter Spring Coach Steve Katz, whose team has been considered the favorite in just a handful of games this season. "I thought we'd play well tonight, but I did not expect us to beat Lake Mary like this. They have an excellent, excellent football team. This is a great victory for us." If the Bears (6-4) like challenges, they'll get one next week when they play at Palm Bay, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A and No. 3 in the nation by USA Today. Lake Mary's Class 6A opponent has yet to be determined. In Friday's game, Winter Springs capitalized on three first-half turnovers by Lake Mary (6-4) to take a 28-0 halftime lead. The Bears had 230 of their 321 total yards in the first half. Junior running back Kevin Harris, who needed 136 yards to become the second Winter Springs running back to reach 1,000 yards in a season, finished with 115 yards on 17 carries. Quarterback Brett Hodges completed 13 of 20 passes for 162 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to Chris Sienko. Ashuwa Richardson had four catches for 54 yards. Lake Mary quarterback Robert Kass completed 10-of-27 passes for 152 yards, including a 9-yard pass to tight end R.J. Meyers for the Rams' only score. Lake Mary had 81 yards in the first half and 201 for the game. The Rams were trailing 35-0 when they scored their lone touchdown with three seconds left in the third quarter. "Our players had the same demeanor they had early in the season -- they thought they could just show up and beat people," Lake Mary Coach Greg Stanton said. "We need to find a way to respond and pull it together." Article from the Orlando Sentinel. October 31, 2003 Timber Creek - 14 Game Highlights: The Bears (5-4 overall, 4-1 in the district) scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to earn a playoff berth as district runners-up to Lyman. Timber Creek (7-2, 3-2), in only its second season, finishes its season next week against University and has a chance to tie for the Metro Conference title. "We just got whipped in the second half," Timber Creek Coach Jim Buckridge said. "We got beat up. They have a very good football team. They deserved to win this game." Winter Springs Coach Steve Katz credited his offensive line, along with some defensive adjustments, for turning the tide in the second half. The Bears scored on all but one possession while limiting Timber Creek to just three first downs and 27 total yards. "Our kids were psyched," Katz said. "They wanted to show that we deserved to be in the playoffs. They took the challenge. I'm so proud of them." Winter Springs finished with 333 total yards, led by junior running back Kevin Harris with 144 yards on 16 carries. He scored the Bears' first two touchdowns on runs on 54 and 3 yards in the second quarter. Quarterback Brett Hodges completed 7 of 8 passes for 102 yards and ran for two touchdowns in the second half. Timber Creek quarterback Corry DiBiase completed 17 of 38 passes for 194 yards. Jonathan Aponte caught seven passes for 112 yards. With 15 seconds left in the first half, DiBiase threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Cox to complete a 67-yard drive that took just 58 seconds and tied the score at 14-14. But Winter Springs put an end to the Wolves' momentum by opening the third quarter with 62-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 3-yard run by Pat Cucci. The Bears made the score 28-14 on their next possession, with Hodges scoring on a 1-yard keeper with 14 seconds left in the third quarter. He scored again, on another 1-yard run, with 4:30 left in the game. On the next play, linebacker Jimmy Caldwell intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the Timber Creek 17-yard line. Five plays later, Dontae Johnson scored on a 2-yard run. "This is the best feeling in the world," said Cucci, a senior linebacker and running back. "It's awesome.", from the Orlando Sentinel. October 24, 2003 Winter Springs - 28 Game Highlights: The victory kept the Bears (4-4, 3-1 in the district) in playoff contention, with a showdown next Friday against Timber Creek. "I don't care what the records are, any time you beat your rival in their back yard in a hostile environment, it's a big win," Winter Springs Coach Steve Katz said. "This is always a tough, brutal game." Winter Springs scored one touchdown in each quarter and totaled 355 yards to 90 for Lake Howell (1-7, 1-3). The Bears had 198 rushing yards, led by Kevin Harris with 90 yards on 13 carries and Dontae Johnson with 85 yards on nine carries. Junior quarterback Brett Hodges completed 10 of 22 passes for 157 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Pat Cucci for Winter Springs' first touchdown. Ashua Richardson caught four passes for 57 yards. Senior James Benson led Lake Howell, rushing for 62 yards on 10 carries. Winter Springs took a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by Harris. A 2-yard run by Terrance Morring gave the Bears a 21-0 lead with 2 minutes, 16 seconds left in the third quarter. With 1:15 left, Winter Springs got its final score when Daryl Ely returned a punt 60 yards for a TD. "We played tough, but Winter Springs is too good a team to come back on," first-year Lake Howell Coach Eddie Norton said. "We just don't have the firepower. "The story for us all season long is, we haven't
been able to get a break early in the game. If we did, we'd have a different
outcome. It's going to happen.", from the Orlando Sentinel. October 17, 2003 Lyman - 21 Game
Highlights: When the Greyhounds emerged victorious over Winter Springs Friday night, the players decided it was a fit occasion to do the traditional dousing. This game was touted as the potential Class 5A, District 5 championship as both squads entered the contest at 2-0. With its 21-14 victory, Lyman has sole ownership of the lead in the 5A-5 race with a 3-0 record. The two teams remaining in the Greyhounds' district schedule, Lake Howell and Freedom, have one and zero wins, respectively. Lyman had more than a few things going in its favor. C.J. Walker and J.J. Bass, the two Greyhounds running backs who had missed some games because of injury, returned to the field. Bass had 86 yards on 18 carries and Walker had 90 yards on 12 carries. "It feels good to be back," said Bass, who had an 18-yard touchdown run. "Our offense stepped it up." The Greyhounds' defense also made the big plays when needed. A Jimmy Rodriguez interception late in the game set up Lyman's final touchdown, and Lyman was able to stop two long Winter Springs drives without points. Winter Springs, however, played Lyman tough the entire game, putting up 306 yards of offense. Although the Bears racked up the yards, their inability to convert their lengthy drives into points doomed them in the end. With the game tied at 7 in the second quarter, Winter Springs marched 58 yards in a time-consuming series. At Lyman's 8, the Bears chose to go for a field goal with about a minute remaining. Jason Brockhaus-Kann, one of the top kickers in the school's history, saw his 25-yard attempt go wide left. A similar outcome occurred in the third quarter after the Bears used up 10 minutes moving from their own 16 to Lyman's 23. This time the 36-yard attempt went wide right. "I'd do it again," said Winter Springs Coach Steve Katz about the decision to try the field goals. "We wanted to get the points. I have total confidence in Jason and I still have confidence in him. I know he can make those and I'd put him out there to kick them again." Lyman finally broke the deadlock in the fourth quarter with Bass' touchdown, but the turning point came on the Bears' following drive, which ended with Rodriguez's interception. Kyle Harris scored on a quarterback sneak on the following drive with 38 seconds left in the game. "That was the game-breaker," Caughell said. "Winter Springs was bending but not breaking. That interception gave us a big jump start." But Winter Springs didn't go away quietly. With about 20 seconds remaining, Bears quarterback Brett Hodges connected with sophomore Ashiwah Richardson for a 75-yard touchdown. The Bears attempted the onside kick with nine seconds on the clock, but Lyman recovered the ball, from the Orlando Sentinel. October 9, 2003 Winter Springs - 32 Game
Highlights: Winter Springs blocked a Zac Carter punt and returned it to the 2-yard line, setting up the first of two special-teams scores as Winter Springs defeated Seminole 32-17 Thursday at Thomas E. Whigham Stadium. After forcing the Seminoles into a three-and-out on their second possession of the second half, a host of Bears came right up the middle to block Carter's punt, setting up a Pat Cucci touchdown on the next play to give Winter Springs a lead it would never relinquish. Seminole did not move the ball on its next possession, and again Carter was forced to come on and punt. This time the snap went over his head and out of the end zone for a safety. Seminole quarterback Mike McKinzie completed 24 of 36 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns, from Orlando Sentinel. October 3, 2003 Winter Springs - 7 Game
Highlights: After a Pioneers score cut the lead to one late in the fourth quarter, Winter Springs blocked the extra-point attempt of Brian Boracic as the Bears defeated Oak Ridge 7-6 in a Class 5A, District 5 game at Lee Leonard Stadium. "It's a huge win, we're 2-0 in the district and we're excited about the rest of the season," Winter Springs Coach Steve Katz said. "We've had a very tough beginning but our guys are hanging in there, and we're going to keep fighting." The Bears' lone touchdown came late in the first half as quarterback Brett Hodges directed a seven-play, 71-yard drive. Hodges completed passes of 31 and 14 yards to Andrew Bonnet and Ashua Richardson to put Winter Springs (2-3, 2-0) at the Pioneers' 30-yard line. Kevin Harris had a 29-yard run on the next play that set Winter Springs up at the 1-yard line. Hodges finished the drive with a 1-yard sneak. Hodges completed 7 of 14 passes for 102 yards and managed the game very well. Oak Ridge cut the lead to 7-6 with a 13-play, 77-yard drive that was capped by Antonio Battle's 1-yard touchdown run. Battle finished the night with 105 yards on 24 carries. The Pioneers' defense put the Bears in a fourth-and-14 situation with one minute left, but Hodges found Bonnet for a 19-yard gain. Bonnet finished with 84 yards on four catches. The Pioneers (2-3, 0-2) were uncharacteristically sloppy on defense, missing a number of tackles. Also, penalties hurt the Pioneers several times when they threatened to score, from the Orlando Sentinel. September 25, 2003 Oviedo - 13 Game
Highlights: But for Oviedo, it was another mark in the victory column as the Lions' rushing attack stifled Winter Springs 13-0. Oviedo senior Will Harrison had 146 yards on 25 carries and a 1-yard touchdown. His longest rush, a 41-yard dash up the middle early in the third quarter, put the Lions at the Winter Springs 5, setting up a 1-yard Lee Sloan touchdown sneak three plays later. His only mistake of the night was a late-fourth quarter fumble close to the Oviedo end zone. "I just had a lot of ball control," said Harrison, a three-year varsity starter. "I knew we couldn't rely on our passing game as much because of the weather conditions." Much of the game was a defensive seesaw, with plenty of three-and-out plays on both sides. Oviedo got on the board first, marching 80 yards almost exclusively on Harrison's motion. That 20-play drive ate up the majority of the first quarter. Harrison punched it in to start the second quarter, taking a handoff from Sloan on fourth-and-1 and leaping over a heap of bodies for the score. Jordan Feurer's extra point put the Lions up 7-0. The only other score of the game came on Sloan's third-quarter rush. "We came out and made plays, moved the ball well and played as a team," said Oviedo Coach Greg Register. "A win's a win's a win." While Winter Springs made some decent defensive moves, its offense struggled, moving just 45 yards in the first quarter and 72 in the second. The ground attack sputtered while dropped passes, missed targets and three interceptions of quarterback Brett Hodges hampered the passing game. Penalties also hurt the Bears, but none more than a turnover on a punt return halfway through the fourth quarter. Officials ruled that a Winter Springs defender roughed the punter during the kick, returning the ball to Oviedo. Officials then gave Oviedo another 15 yards after nailing the Winter Springs coaching staff with an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty for protesting the first call. September 19, 2003 Freedom - 0 Game Highlights:
Unfortunately for Freedom, the frustration continued. The host Bears trounced the first-year school 47-0. "We knew we were better than our record," said Winter Springs Coach Steve Katz, whose team had lost close games at Winter Park and Lake Brantley. "We were very frustrated." The Patriots, who had lost 48-0 to Boone and 29-0 to Olympia, kept the game close until late in the second quarter when Winter Springs (1-2, 1-0) scored two touchdowns during a 24-second span. First, quarterback Brett Hodges scored on a 1-yard run with 35 seconds left in the half. Two plays later, defensive back Daryl Ely returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears a 19-0 halftime lead. Ely, a junior who missed most of last season with a broken collarbone, also had punt returns of 74 and 70 yards for touchdowns in the second half. Junior running back Kevin Harris, who scored the game's first touchdown on a 7-yard run, was the Bears' leading rusher with nine carries for 83 yards. The Bears also got outstanding play from their defense, which allowed Freedom (0-3, 0-1) just 21 passing yards and negative-15 rushing yards. The Patriots made it into Winter Springs territory only once, when Hodges fumbled on the first play of the second half and Jared Fleming recovered for Freedom at midfield. Running back Austin McKenzie carried the ball for two yards, to the Winter Springs 48, but after two incomplete passes, the Patriots were forced to punt. September 12, 2003 Winter Springs - 10 Game Highlights:
Fowler's 60-yard yard fumble return in the third quarter paved the way in Lake Brantley's 14-10 win, ruining a gutsy defensive effort by the Bears. "For the second week in a row we put ourselves in harm's way," Lake Brantley Coach George Clayton said. "Winter Springs played a heck of a first half." The Patriots lost 21-14 in their season-opener two weeks ago. "I told the guys at halftime that they were either going to pack it up for the night or come out fighting," Clayton said. Winter Springs (0-2) challenged the Patriots most of the night, including a spirited defensive effort in the opening half. Led by Kevin Harris and Vinny Cucci, the Bears held Lake Brantley to four downs on each of its first three possessions. Winter Springs capitalized on its aggressive defense to take the lead early in the first quarter. After forcing the Patriots to punt from inside their own 10, the Bears took over at Lake Brantley's 41-yard line. Quarterback Brett Hodges connected with Dontae Johnson for 15 yards on a third-down play, then rushed for 7 yards to move the Bears inside the 5. Two plays later, he plunged over from the 1, giving the Bears a 7-0 advantage. But Lake Brantley (1-1) rallied in the second half by capitalizing on a pair of Winter Springs mistakes. The Patroits got within 7-6 on a 7-yard touchdown run by Lammar Guy midway through the third quarter. That score was set up by a miscue by the Bears' punter, who kicked the ball off of one of his blockers, giving the Patriots the ball at the Bears' 35. One series later, the Bears made another error. This time, it was Fowler's fumble return that set up Lake Brantley's go-ahead score. September 5, 2003 Winter Springs - 21 Game Highlights:
Rallying behind the arm of junior quarterback Brett Hodges, the hands of receivers Andrew Bonnet and sophomore Chris Krack and the physical toughness and leadership of Pat Cucci, Winter Springs roared back. Hodges took the Bears 75 yards in nine plays, mixing his passes with Kevin Harris runs, before hitting Pat Cucci on a 5-yard scoring pass with 1:44 left in the third quarter. Then Hodges completed seven passes in a 60-yard, 10-play scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter, going 19 yards to Krack to the 4-yard line, then hitting Cucci for the touchdown with 3:49 left. August 29, 2003 - Jamboree Winter Springs - 22 Game Highlights:
The defense was led by Vinny Cucci's interception and fumble recovery. Great efforts were turned in by Brandon Sims and Antonio James. |
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