The day doesn’t matter.
Whether it’s a Thursday night, a Friday night or a Saturday morning, the Pine Forest football team has shown up with their A game, firing anyone in their path this season.
The Eagles’ last win came in a 41-8 blowout of Pensacola High on a wet Saturday morning from Lon R. Wise Stadium. The home team entered halftime with a 41-0 lead before the final 24 minutes on the field were played under the running clock.
“Different circumstances and a different situation, but I think the kids did a good job and did what they had to do,” Pine Forest head coach Ronnie Douglas said. “PHS is getting better, they’re getting better, but I was so proud of our kids and how they came out and played. I got here this morning at a different time, but I’m proud of everyone who is a part of this day.” .”
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A terrifying scene unfolded on the Tigers’ bench during the third quarter when head coach Cantrell Tyson collapsed due to heat-related illness.
Tyson, who is in his first season with Pensacola, was carried on a stretcher to an ambulance parked off the field of play. According to a nearby medical official, Tyson showed signs of confusion before he collapsed, but regained consciousness in the ambulance and was feeling better by the end of the game.
The Tigers, whose record dropped to 0-3, got their only long-run touchdown from senior quarterback Devonsha O’Neal.
Here are three takeaways from Pine Forest High School’s Saturday game.
Eagles scoring spree
The Eagles turned the ball over on their first drive of the game. They more than made up for it for the rest of the first half.
Pine Forest scored its next five possessions while mixing in a punt return touchdown from senior cornerback Tyrese Thomas.
The hosts got the ball rolling with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. Senior quarterback Tierra Wilson put his team ahead 7-0 with a 20-yard goalie. Junior running back Miequle Brock followed that up with a 45-yard touchdown run.
In the second quarter, Wilson connected with Donielle Hayes on a pair of deep touchdown passes. The senior wide receiver jumped over a defender in the end zone for a 25-yard grab before running wide behind the defense for an easy 45-yard touchdown.
Kobe Johnson finished the scoring with a 30-yard run.
situational soccer
Even with a commanding lead, Pine Forest decided to keep their starters on the field to close out the first half. The home team also played their first-team defense and most of their first-team attack early in the second half before the reserves ended the game.
The contest was well controlled, but like any great team with an eye on a bigger prize, Douglas and his coaching staff wanted to maximize any opportunity to simulate various game situations.
“Make sure you keep your composure and always do your job,” Douglas said, was the message to his players. “We’re trying to work on some things, like the two-minute (drill) right before the half and things of that nature. We’re not trying to get the score up, we’re just trying to work on ourselves and get better as a football team. “.
“Get Ready for Choctaw”
Through three terrific performances this season, Pine Forest has outscored opponents by a combined 114-17 margin. Now the Eagles turn their attention to the district game when they host the Choctaw on Friday at 7 pm.
Every game matters, of course, but Pine Forest’s march to another district title begins this week.
“With the district game, we just have to be healthy. We’ve got some guys getting hit with little things,” Douglas said. “We just have to keep working to get better. We still have some young guys in some areas that are trying to get better, but we’ll practice Monday and get ready for Choctaw.”
Pensacola is bye during Week 4. The Tigers host Gulf Breeze at 7 pm on Thursday.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at [email protected]