Winter Haven Slides by Ridge With Two Late TDs

Sat. August 25, 2012 at 12:19 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

RIDGE'S SHYKEEM PITTS lost his helmet while trying to struggle for some yards against Winter Haven's defense. (Photo by GEORGE AYCRIGG | SPECIAL TO THE LEDGER )

By Bill Kemp

Ledger Media Group

DAVENPORT | If Winter Haven wanted a good test, the team got its wish Friday night against Ridge Community.

Ridge took a two-point lead early into the fourth quarter when three-sport star Shykeem Pitts scampered in for a touchdown and held it until late down the stretch.

But Winter Haven answered, scoring two touchdowns in a 2:04 span to walk off with a 21-9 win at Ridge Community Field.

"I thought our timing was a tad off," Winter Haven head coach Charlie Tate said.

"We were not hitting the line quick enough in the first half to get to the holes and they were closing before we got there.

"They were physical and their o-line wore on us a little bit. They had that great drive in the third quarter."

Winter Haven senior running back Adam Lane ignited the rally, scoring on a 21-yard run with 6:17 left. Tekendrick Roberson capped the Blue Devils' final score with a 67-yard rushing touchdown of his own.

"Once we got adjusted to the game we were good to go," Lane said. "We had to get the timing up. They had a great front line and we had to adjust to them."

Lane finished with 84 yards on 15 carries and Roberson 73 yards on three rushes.

Pitts finished with 75 yards on eight carries for Ridge.

"I thought he (Pitts) played a great game with his kick returns and tailback and quarterback play," Ridge head coach Richard Tate said.

"He is everything he is marked up to be. I feel like we are a lot better than we were last year."

Luke Borders made his first start at quarterback for Winter Haven in two years. The senior was 8 of 17 for 117 yards and one touchdown.

Winter Haven  7 0 0 14 — 21

Ridge 0 3 0 6 — 9

First Quarter

WH – Darian Mills 57-yard pass from Luke Borders (Jean kick) 6:17

Second Quarter

RC – 35-yard field goal Daniel Delgado, 10:37

Fourth Quarter

RC – Shykeem Pitts 6-yard run (Delgado kick) 11:53

WH – Adam Lane 22-yard run (Jean kick) 6:17

WH –Tekendrick Roberson 67-yard run (Wampler kick) 4:13.