PAHOKEE – A clearly chilly atmosphere did not stop or slow down the Pahokee Blue Devils in any way, shape, or form.
On Thursday night (Nov. 13), we got three scores in the first quarter from the home team in the FHSAA Rural Regional Semifinal round. They came on defense, offense, and special teams – in that order.
In Pahokee’s 43-28 win over the Fort Meade Miners, senior athlete Tristian Gooden led the way with his fumble recovery for a touchdown on the game’s first play. He added a punt return for a score minutes later, which made it two end zone appearances for him in the first frame.
We also got a rushing score from senior running back and Tennessee State verbal commit Samuel Arnold on Pahokee’s first offensive play of the game. His touchdown on the ground set the stage for how the rest of the game would be for the Blue Devils (8-3).
After Fort Meade (7-4 final record) cut Pahokee’s lead to 20-7 toward the end of the first quarter, the game slowed down quite a bit. Neither team scored again in the first half until we reached toward the very end of it, thanks to a short field goal made by senior kicker Paulo Lugo with 53.7 seconds left in the second frame.
Pahokee would go into halftime with a 23-7 lead over Fort Meade.
Watch the footage below for yourself.
In the second half, it appeared that we would get a running back. But Fort Meade had other plans.
We will get to that in a moment.
The third quarter was all about Pahokee. We saw two scores on the ground, one each from sophomore athlete Mari Singleton and Gooden, who became the first Pahokee player in at least recent history to score on offense, defense, and special teams in one game.
At this point, Pahokee’s lead was extended to 37-7 over Fort Meade.
Watch the action below for yourself.
The fourth quarter was an interesting one to say the least.
While Pahokee held on to a double-digit lead and win, Fort Meade scored three times in the final frame. Two of the three scores were by touchdown passes from junior athlete Jayden McCutchen to senior wide receiver Cayden Clark.
We will show you the first one right here.
As for the other one?
It turned out to be a short touchdown by senior Omari Russell.
Watch for yourself.
Pahokee’s last score was on a short dive into the end zone by senior quarterback Xavier Mitchell.
And for the final score?
Fort Meade made that one happen.
We got post-game interviews from Pahokee head coach Carlos Lammons and a quartet of Blue Devils. Watch them below.
Next game for No. 5 seed Pahokee: Friday, Nov. 21 against either No. 4 seed Taylor County (9-1) on the road or No. 13 seed Trenton (7-3) at home for the Rural Regional Final
Next game for No. 12 seed Fort Meade: Season ends
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