Rivals Clash at Palm Harbor

Palm Harbor ends 25 game winning streak against East Lake.

Varsity+players+storm+through+the+banner+to+begin+the+game+against+East+Lake+on+Aug.+28.

Adam Geiger

Varsity players storm through the banner to begin the game against East Lake on Aug. 28.

In spring of 2015, the PHU football team was in the locker room just after practice, when Coach Reggie Crume announced that the team would be playing East Lake next season. Everyone in the locker room went crazy, with excitement and revenge on their minds from last year’s game. There was going to be no stopping anyone in that room from victory against East Lake by the time the dust had settled.

On August 28, the varsity team did what they planned for last spring; they beat East Lake High School 14-10 in the last quarter in the season opener. This was a unexpected victory for Palm Harbor, based on East Lake’s winning record.

In the beginning of the game, East Lake kicked the ball off to Palm Harbor, starting the game everyone had been waiting for. The Canes were the first to score over the Eagles starting the game off at 7-0. It was only shortly thereafter halftime came. The score was tied, and East Lake was receiving the ball after halftime.

After the ball was kicked off, East Lake had plenty of momentum and made the score 10-7 after a field goal. It was a close game, and the Canes were not about to give up that easily. As they gained the ball and pushed it slowly across the field, they had a chance to tie the game. It was 4th down and momentum was on their side. As the ball was kicked, the Eagles patted down the football, ending the drive.

The game was coming to an end with the Eagles still ahead by three, and as they were in scoring range the Canes shut them down to gain the ball for the final time and went for the win.

There were less than eight minutes on the clock as Palm Harbor pressed down the field, yard by yard, and play by play. It was 4th down with still several yards to go for the 1st down. On 4th down, the ball was passed and almost patted down as the save was made and allowed continuance for the touchdown. Within the next couple plays the game was 14-10. With 18 seconds left on the clock, there was not enough time for East Lake to score. The game ended with a final score of 14-10.

After time was out, the Palm Harbor grandstands erupted into absolute chaos. Everyone was cheering in delight that Palm Harbor had just beaten East Lake.

The next game will be against Seminole High School at Palm Harbor on September 4.