After Palm Harbor University beat East Lake last week, it was a successful game from the player’s point of view. But the coaches wanted to see more out of them. There were too many missed tackles, which was made into a punishment even though PHU just ended East Lake’s 25 game winning streak.

On the first practice after the game, the Cane’s defense had to do 700 yards of sleds to make up for the missed tackles. Linebacker Chris D’Agostino said, “The punishment was fair, we missed a lot tackles. I think we should be held at a higher standard,” which is something the team agrees with.

Now it comes the time to face Seminole High School.

In the first quarter, Palm Harbor received the ball from Seminole. The team was strong at the start of the game, and then led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter of the game. At this point, the school saw hope for winning this game.

Going into the second quarter, PHU started out with a bang. Nick Gust ran across the field giving it all he had scoring the first touchdown of the quarter. Just seconds later, PHU kicked the ball, the Seminole player that was receiving the ball ended up dropping the ball allowing the Canes to gain possession again. It was in the first 5 minutes of the quarter that PHU had scored twice. Making the score 20-0 before halftime even came.

When the second half began, Palm Harbor was refusing to allow the Warhawks any ground towards a touchdown. Gavin Wyllie had been shutting them down, from the defensive end position, with four sacks by the end of the third quarter (34-0). This was more sacks than the team expected to have all together.

Going into the fourth quarter, it seemed Palm Harbor was shutting down. Soon after, Seminole scored not being touched by the Cane’s defense. After Seminole scored 22 points, the PHU crowd began biting their fingernails, due to the threat from the Warhawks. But PHU prevailed and held back Seminole from scoring. Then with 5 minutes left in the game, number 54 Blake Drose drilled the quarterback ending Seminoles momentum.

PHU went on to win the game 34-22, a major effort from the team which made the school proud. They are now 2-0 and may have a chance of coming back from last years 1-9 season.

There is no game this week, but the next game will be against Newsome High School for the school’s homecoming game on September 18. Go Canes!