The playoffs have been on the line for the Keystone Indians (5-2,7-2 District 3-2A)over the last three weeks after losing to Fernandina Beach. The Indians have continued to do their part to keep those playoff hopes alive. Adding a victory over the Bradford Tornadoes(4-3,6-3 District 3-2A) this evening could help them. But at press time, it all depends whether Yulee can defeat Fernandina.
The game was just another evening for running backs Greg Taylor and Matt Story. Taylor left, Story right. The two backs combined for forty five yards on fourteen carries in the first quarter. Taylor would give the Indians an early lead on a two yard touchdown run. The two backs did not see many carries in the second quarter, with Bradford controlling all but two minutes of the second period.
The Keystone defense held their own throughout the first half. The longest play from scrimmage that the defensive unit surrendered was a twenty two yard run by Senior RB Chuckie Covington. Covington would finish the night with sixty six yards on ten carries and one reception for nineteen yards. The Tornadoes were able to connect for twenty five yards passing, with Chuckie leading the way. Covington would not only have a productive game on offense, but he also had an impact on defense for the Tornadoes. Chuckie was around the ball throughout evening with tackles for loss and a big hit on Keystone’s Taylor. Covington picked Taylor off the ground and drove him backwards.
Defensively for Keystone big tackles came in the form of sacks. The unit recorded two in the first half. Cameron Yarbrough had the first for the defense, which was for a six yard loss. The second was courtesy Junior Brett Anderson for a three yard loss. Along with the sacks, the defense finished the game with three; the Indians defense surrendered a total of one hundred thirty seven yards to the Tornadoes offense.
The second half started off in favor of the Indians. The Tornadoes fumbled away the second half opening kick off and the Indians took over at the Tornadoes twenty nine yard line. The defense for the Tornadoes held the Indians offense to three plays and out. The rest of the third quarter would be filled with penalties. The Indians were called for one and the Tornadoes were flagged seven times. The penalties would hurt the Tornadoes chances to sustain an offensive drive. The offense would gain positive yardage behind the running of Covington and it would be negated due to a penalty. The Tornadoes offense was called for holding, a block in the back, a chop block, and numerous personal fouls. The only scoring in the second half would come from Keystone’s kicker. Junior Brad Gober would connect on a thirty five yard field goal in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter again was filled with penalties, mainly for Bradford. The Indian’s could not get their offense going until late in the quarter. However this would work in their favor. The Indian’s coaching staff would continue to run the ball to keep the clock rolling. The Indians would not give the ball back to the Tornadoes offense with enough time to mount a come back. The Tornado’s offense would received the ball with only one minute and twenty five seconds left following a dominant time of possession by the Indians. The Indians held the ball in the fourth quarter for over eight minutes.
Again it was the running of Taylor and Story that was the difference in the game which sealed the victory. Taylor finished with sixty three yards on sixteen carries and had the only touchdown of the night. Story finished the night with fifty three yards on fourteen carries.
Following the win, Coach Dickenson reflected on the fact the Indians may not make the playoffs. “We had our chances when we played Fernandina Beach and we should have capitalized. We realized after that lose we would need to win out the rest of the season, and that is what we hope to do with one game left”.
KH Taylor 2 yard run; PAT Gober
KH Gober 35 yard field goal
KH 7 0 3 0
BH 0 0 0 0