Mulberry Capitalizes on Frostproofs' Errors to Spoil Homecoming, 16-6
Fri. September 21, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. | By Polk Preps Staff
Mulberry quarterback Austin Strickland runs for a gain against Frostproof. (Photo by PAUL CRATE | LEDGER MEDIA GROUP PHOTOS )
By LISA COFFEY
THE LEDGER
FROSTPROOF | Rain, a poor effort and an opportunistic Mulberry squad with an excellent kicker spoiled Frostproof's homecoming Friday in front of 250 soggy fans at Farris Brannen Stadium.
The Bulldogs suffered from three interceptions, three lost fumbles and were the victim of two sacks while Panther kicker Noe Guillen blasted field goals of 44, 47 and 50 yards to beat the Bulldogs 16-6.
Panther Jarius Garner also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
"This can be every night," said Mulberry coach Raleigh Jackson to his team after the game. "Team won this game."
Mulberry (2-2) managed just 120 yards on offense while Frostproof (2-2) tallied 116 yards in a defense battle.
The win was significant for the Panthers.
"We're under construction," Jackson said. "Not all the pieces are in place, but it's coming together slowly."
Guillen seemed like a project on the fast track. Teammate Henry Berry begged Guillen to join the team earlier this year.
Guillen came out in the spring but suffered a separated elbow. He returned in the fall and made a field goal last week against Avon Park. He was hesitant to join the team at first.
"I didn't really want to," Guillen said. "I went out there one day and just kept going."
Guillen hit from 65 yards in practice. Friday he made field goals of 47 and 50 yards in the second quarter.
His second kick tied the score 6-6. He made a third 44 yarder in the third quarter.
"You know when you hit the ball right, you feel it," he said.
He was pleased with Friday's success.
"It's great," he said. "I want to come out every day. I want to go to college for it now."
Panther Jarius Garner grabbed two of Mulberry's three interceptions.
Mulberry 0 6 10 0 — 16
Frostproof 6 0 0 0 — 6
First Quarter
FP - Kaleel Gaines 1 run, (run failed) 8:52
Second Quarter
MHS - Noe Guillen 47 FG, 8:07
MHS- Noe Guillen 50 FG, :07
Third Quarter
MHS - Noe Guillen 44 FG 10:09
MHS - Jerry Joyce fumble recovery in end zone, (Guillen kick) 8:51
MHS | FP
First downs 4 3
Total Yards 120 116
Rushes/Yards 36-116 33-75
Passing 45 0
Comp/Att/Int 2-5-0 0-7-3
Sacks 2 0
Punts/avg. 4-20.0 3-24.3
Fumbles/Lost 5-2 5-3
Penalties/Yards 5-40 11-85
Individual stats
Rushing - MHS, Jerry Joyce 9-36; FP, Cecil Cherry 11-38.
Passing - MHS, Austin Strickland 2-5-0, 45 yds. FP, Xavier Gaines 0-7-3.
Receiving - MHS, Rashad Parrish 2-45.
