The Seminole Warhawks could not fly against the winning force of The U. Each win for them has brought history. Tarpon Springs left Palm Harbor with its second loss against the school. The Canes earned their first 2-0 start in its 15 year history. Tonight’s 33-22 win has earned them an even longer streak.
Two of Coach Mark Haye’s three “Killer B’s” (Hunter Beam, Kenny Blanch, and Billy Pavlock) made the most of the first possession. QB Billy Pavlock’s big run set up a goal line penetrating touchdown by RB Kenny Blanch to take control of the game. Senior RB Trevor Sands and the rest of the Warhawks brought their running game early as well, taking over the lead on a ten yard scoring run and a 55-yard touchdown after a fumble recovery. Palm Harbor would run into dropped plays and a loss on downs before defensive stops allows for another scoring opportunity for Blanch and Pavlock’s first end zone appearance of the night.
The Hurricane defense came out of there 20-14 halftime lead with a divine wind. As Seminole closed in on the six point gap, a red zone stand ended their flight down the field. This change in possession sent The U on a 90-yard drive, ending on a six-yard bootleg score by the junior quarterback. Senior lineman Nick Orgera added a stat of his own; accounting for one sack.
The Warhawks would continue their drive troubles into the fourth quarter. Patrick Moriarty, a junior defensive back, picked off sophomore QB Noah Weller’s pass attempt for another rally down the field. This trick eventually treated Blanch to Palm Harbor’s final touchdown drive.
The field fell to fright as Seminole senior linebacker Austin Bruni laid stiffly on the visitors sideline with 8:47 left to go in the match-up. As a precautionary measure to head and back injuries, he was flown out by Bayflite for testing. Fortunately, no injuries have been sustained to his spine. Noah and the rest of the Warhawks fought on after the delay, earning the final change in the scoreboard off of a 35-yard pass.
Palm Harbor now joins Clearwater, Countryside, and St. Petersburg as the only undefeated teams left in the county going into their homecoming game next week against 0-3 Gibbs.