This game story probably won’t take long to read. There’s not a whole lot to say. Palm Harbor University’s defense wouldn’t allow a whole lot to be said.
The Hurricanes allowed very little, in terms of yards, points, or oxygen — even with key contributors out like starting QB Will Siebert, WR/DB Alex Schmid, and FB Tyler Somerfield (paging Steinbrenner?).
On Friday at home, PHU knocked off Seminole 20-0, posting just the program’s ninth shutout in 27 years of varsity football. But that doesn’t matter now.
The win guaranteed a second straight winning season, but nobody was dancing about that as this program has its eyes on next week’s game now: Versus East Lake for the school’s first-ever district title.
EAST LAKE PROBLEM
The problem is, East Lake has beaten these current players 65-14 the past two seasons and owns a 19-4-0 winning margin all-time over PHU (last win, 2015).
“As for next week, it’s pretty simple — East Lake owns us,” Mullaney told PalmHarborSports.com, referring to those two straight ugly district losses. “We play scared against them and the results have shown that. Hopefully, we can avoid a running clock.”
East Lake (4-4) lost Friday to a strong Clearwater team, 22-14. That ended a four-game win streak for the young Eagles since they kicked off the year 0-3. If PHU can get past its neighborhood rival, it will need to keep an eye on the FHSAA computer models.
But we’ll talk about that more starting next Monday.
BACK TO THE RARE SHUTOUTS
For now? When it comes to PHU’s nine all-time shutouts, six of them have come since 2019 under the current coaching staff of head coach Mike Mullaney (who sets up his offense to drain the clock and opposing defense of any oxygen), and accomplished defensive coordinator Matt LePain — who schemes well.
“Great job by our defense tonight,” PHU head coach Mike Mullaney told PalmHarborSports.com. “Coach Lepain put in a great plan, and Coach (Jon) Adkins helped make a great adjustment when they started hitting us a little bit. The players on defense were on point all night long.”
Seminole doesn’t throw the ball much. The Warhawks probably throw less than any opponent PHU’s roster will face in 2023. The problem is, the PHU run defense is pretty damned good. It just didn’t work out well for Seminole, and while official statistics aren’t available yet — PHU’s ability to own time of possession and shut down the run was evident from the beginning.
In fact, in the opening moments — when PHU as true to form deferred to accept the kickoff in the second half — the Hurricanes’ defensive star Gunner Fodor forced a fumble and his play-making compatriot Zavion Roberts recovered. All of a sudden, the ‘Canes found themselves just 20 yards from paydirt.
It didn’t take long until senior leading rusher Mykehl Boebert found it from 8 yards out. And that’s all the points the Hurricanes needed, even though they scored 20 in the game — which included a second short Boebert scoring run, along with two Mitch Stricker field goals and two PATs. Junior kicker Stricker is now at 6 FGs for the season and 8 for his career (school record is 13).
But again, this game was all about defense.
NOT JUST THE VARSITY
One interesting side note was the fourth quarter situation. See, the PHU junior varsity finished the regular season on Wednesday undefeated for only the third time in school history. JV quarterback Chris Silvestro got some snaps Friday, as did RB Ben Sathaporn. It would be wise, if you follow PHU football, to learn those names.
The JV program, under Jeff Kaminski, was impressive this year and will play for the Pinellas JV title on Wednesday (Oct. 25) at Lakewood (St. Pete).
Now it comes down to the hated rival — who hasn’t stepped foot on Hurricanes Field in 24 months.
Palm Harbor — be there. You won’t want to miss this.
