BROOKSVILLE – Five more business trips. That is how Head Coach Tyson Ellis and the Leopards (13-3) approached their regional quarterfinal win over the Dunnellon Tigers (8-4).
“I told them today we had five business trips left,” Coach Ellis said. “After today, now we have four business trips left. So, every time we come out, we got to play our game, do our thing, make adjustments.”
After a slow start that saw the home team “on our heels,” the Purple and Gold “adjusted on the fly” and used a strong fourth quarter to take the 14-12 comeback over the visitors.
Sophomore Ayana Kincade’s long, go-ahead touchdown catch in the waning moments of Wednesday’s matchup spurred Hernando on to the semifinal round. Throw in two picks, including a game-sealing interception, and the sophomore wide receiver-slash-defensive back definitely earned her dual designation against Dunnellon.
“Ayana came out last year as a freshman and we could see the potential and the talent,” Coach Ellis said of the multi-sport athlete. “[…] She is a great athlete. She comes to work, and she came to play today.”
To the Tigers’ chagrin, the Leopards’ adjusted well following the early score thanks to their experience against Wildwood’s mobile quarterback earlier in the season.
The home team would make the Tigers pay starting with their first drive of the final frame. After struggling to punch it in on previous opportunities, the Leopards found their stride with a six play drive that was aided by a 17-yard chunk play run by Senior Annabelle Chamberlain to open the possession. On third down, Sophomore Alexis Sway found pay dirt on a goal line keeper to the right.
Hernando would convert their extra point, which prompted Dunnellon to try for two following their quick touchdown drive moments later. With mere minutes left, Hernando had time for one more drive.
Fortunately for the home team, it started with a short pass to Freshman Kenderlyn Hart who broke free of the traffic for a 16-yard first down into Tigers’ territory. Three plays later, Kincade came up with the play of the game.
WIth less than two minutes remaining, Sophomore QB Carlie Grant launched a deep pass down the left sideline and Kincade came down with it before racing 40-yard to the endzone with game winning touchdown reception.
Her heroics would not stop there. Moments later, following a crucial eight yard sack by Sway, Kincade snagged the aforementioned game-sealing interception before the Leopards lined up in the victory formation.
With four “business trips” remaining, Hernando now advances to take on fourth seeded New Smyrna Beach. Coach Ellis hopes to get off to a faster start on the road against the Barracudas on Monday.
