Sports Desk
On a blustery, rainy night at Citizens Field, a crosstown rivalry was renewed between the Gainesville Hurricanes and the Eastside Rams.
And in the end, it was the Hurricanes who came out on top by a final score of 28-10.
It was a defensive battle early on, with both teams trading possessions. But it was defensive back Tamarrion Carr who made the game’s first big play of the night.
Carr, who finished with two interceptions, picked off Gainesville quarterback Shamon “Shooby” Coleman early in the second quarter. The turnover led to an Eastside field goal to give the Rams an early 3-0 lead.
The Hurricanes (8-2) would respond, however, after Coleman connected with tight end Khamari Frazier for a long touchdown pass over the middle of the field to put the ‘Canes ahead, 7-3.
Gainesville kept its momentum going in the second half as wide receiver Brent King returned the opening kickoff of the half for a touchdown to increase the Hurricanes’ lead to 14-3.
A touchdown run by running back John Cooper, the Sonic Drive-In Player of the Game, late in the third would all but seal the deal for GHS on Friday night. Running back Kyree Edwards tacked on one more touchdown run to put the game’s final score at 28-10.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be 8-2, you know, going into the playoffs with some confidence,” Gainesville head coach Dock Pollard said. “Most important, I think the future looks real bright.”
With the victory, the Hurricanes have now won four straight games heading into their playoff game next week.
Eastside, which had a 2-game winning streak snapped, ended its season at 2-8.
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