Fort White hangs on to defeat Suwannee
Published 11:30 am Tuesday, August 29, 2017
- Fort White won a defensive battle against Suwannee.
FORT WHITE, Fla. — Locked in a defensive battle, Fort White capitalized on a rare scoring chance, and made every big play in the second half.
The result was a tight victory against visiting Suwannee in Friday’s regular season opener.
| Aug. 25 | at Fort White | L, 13-10 |
| Sept. 1 | Columbia | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 8 | Hamilton County | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 15 | Ribault | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 29 | at Stanton Prep | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 6 | Chiles (Homecoming) | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 13 | at Paxon | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 20 | Yulee (Senior Night) | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 27 | at Madison County | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 3 | at Taylor County | 7:30 p.m. |
The Indians scored the go-ahead touchdown as time expired in the second quarter and then hung on in the second half for a 13-10 win.
Down 13-7 late in the third quarter, Suwannee threatened with a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line and a chance to take the lead. But after two negative runs and an incomplete pass, the Bulldogs had to settle for a 27-yard field goal from Justin Dalton.
“We have to be able to capitalize on opportunities,” said SHS coach Kyler Hall. “They made enough plays to win. We didn’t, plain and simple. We have to punch it in when we get down on the 5.”
The Indians’ defense bent, but never broke.
Suwannee’s Carlton Hall ran 21 times for 101 yards, but every time the Bulldogs moved the ball on offense, Fort White made a play on defense to get off the field.
Suwannee converted 2 of 5 third downs in the second half.
Although it was a low-scoring game, both teams had some success on the ground. Fort White’s Jacquez Pehlam finished with 102 yards rushing.
The big back bulldozed into the end zone on fourth-and-goal for his 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter, which turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
FWHS quarterback Hunter Morgan started the scoring with a 59-yard run on the Indians’ first possession of the game.
Suwannee responded with a touchdown as Tyree Taylor found Demoundre Evans on a 24-yard pass to tie the score at 7 late in the first quarter.
