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Zephyrhills Bulldogs
By Andy Villamarzo
PascoCountyFB Staff Writer
The TARPON SPRINGS- Not many times do you get to watch high school football on a Monday night.
In this instance, however, it was because of Covid-19 causing a pushback in rescheduling and Zephyrhills traveled over an hour to take on Tarpon Springs. The Bulldogs, whom will play again later this week, played stiff defensively and rode their defense to a 42-0 victory over the Spongers Monday night. In three days, both teams will take the field again on Friday night.
Zephyrhills improves to 2-2 on the season, while Tarpon Springs falls to 0-4. The Bulldogs will play host to Anclote later this week and the Spongers will take on Gulf, who are also winless on the season. The matchup did seem like it could develop into a defensive one early on, as the Bulldogs only led 7-0 after the first quarter.
It was the second quarter that ended up doing the Spongers in, as starting quarterback Birk Wegehaupt threw three interceptions in the period including a pick six to Bulldogs’ cornerback Tre Gallimore. The turnovers fueled Zephyrhills’ 21-point explosion in the second quarter and by halftime, the Bulldogs were cruising 28-0.
A lot of damage on the offensive end was done in the run game, which included Gallimore and Jaylin Thomas. Thomas carried the load for the most part, as the tailback by intermission had three touchdown runs. For Tarpon Springs, finding running room was scarce against the stuff Bulldogs’ defense. Spongers by halftime had eight plays that went for negative yardage.
It didn’t get any easier after halftime for the Spongers, with the Bulldogs taking advantage of a 48-yard punt return by Gallimore, who on the very next play scored from a yard out. Pushing the score to 35-0, it was tough sledding from there for Tarpon Springs and a running clock would come into effect in the final quarter. Zephyrhills added one more touchdown at the end of the third quarter.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
High School Football in Florida
Zephyrhills 42, Tarpon Springs 0
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