Posted by Mike (65.14.212.58) on October 20, 2006 at 12:47:01:
Tigers and Blue Wave Collide in "The Jungle"
By Brett Kaplan
The ESPN Radio High School Football Game-of-the-Week comes straight to you from "The Jungle" in Lake Butler where the Union County Tigers host the P.K. Yonge Blue Wave. Both teams have struggled early, but the Blue Wave have come on strong as of late.
This District 4-2B contest has playoff implications written all over it. The P.K. Yonge Blue Wave come into the game with a 3-4 record overall (1-1 ditrict). Their only loss in district play came
to district champion and defending state champion, Trinity Catholic (Ocala).
The Blue Wave come off of a 43-0 drubbing of
Chiefland on homecoming night. Running back Dre Maddox led the P.K. Yonge with 129 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Maddox also caused a safety to begin the second quarter. After being outscored by a combined 211-45 in their first six games, P.K Yonge
has come back with a 3-0 win in overtime against Fort White and this homecoming win against Chiefland.
The Union County Tigers seem to be having an off year with a 1-6 record overall, but one of those wins come in district play so they are still alive in the hunt for the playoffs. The Tigers are coming off a much needed bye week. In their previous game, the Tigers lost at Baker County, 42-6. This Union County team
has struggled at times, but is a relatively young team led by senior quarterback Austen Roberts. Roberts has thrown seven touchdowns and 899 yards. He also has seven interceptions and is completing around 50% of his passes.
For the Tigers to win, they need a good performance from Roberts and a strong running game from either Deven Perry or Josh Mitchell who combined have rushed for 327 yards and one touchdown.
P.K. Yonge has turned around their season with back-to-back wins. Running back Mike Perry attributes the turnaround to the seniors on the team, saying, "It's the seniors. On this team, all the seniors show how to bring it. And we just follow."
We'll see how the seniors lead the team in a tough place to play Friday night. The Union County Tigers have had a season to forget thus far, but are still in the playoff hunt. In what should be a great
atmosphere at 'The Jungle' in Lake Butler the P.K. Yonge Blue Wave take on the Union County Tigers.
Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-Play), your's truly, Brett Kaplan (color commentary), and Marty Pallman (sidelines). Coverage begins at 7:07 p.m. with the
Beef 'O' Brady's Pre-Game Show. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.floridasportstalk.com