The Conquerors get Conquered by Pace
By Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat
Sept. 13, 2002 
       

            After putting a hurting on St. John Bosco last week, Monsignor Pace continues to validate why they should be the # 1 team in the Class 2A state rankings after thoroughly dominating Jacksonville Trinity Christian, who was ranked # 2 in the Class 1A state rankings before 1, 000 at Pace.

            Behind the two-headed monster of Jerry Seymour and Conredge Collins, who combined for 244 yards rushing on 34 carries and 2 TD's, the Spartans cruised to a 24-14 win to make another statement in this 2002 football season.

            "They are a very good team (referring to Trinity Christian)," Pace head coach Joe Zaccheo said. "They were beating 6A teams by big scores, they are well-coached and disciplined. They could hang with anyone in Dade County."

            The game started off well for Pace as they opened up a 10-0 lead midway through the 2nd quarter with a 6 play 33 yard drive that was capped by an Anthony Sandstrom 1-yard drive and 14 play 72 yard drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal by Mike Jones.

            Trinity wouldn't go down without a fight as they came back with a 5 play 75 yard drive that culminated on an 11-yard touchdown run around the right side by Conquerors' running back Lamar Lewis. The big play was a 51-yard fly pattern down the right side from Robbey Hepler to Jarred Lawson that brought Trinity to the Spartans 20-yard. A suspect late hit call on Pace turned a possibly 3rd and 8, into a 1st and 10 at the Pace 11 yard that was followed by Lewis' touchdown run.

            The Spartans would not be denied as they came right back down the field on 3 play 70 yard drive that Jerry Seymour finished off with a 46-yard touchdown run. On the play Seymour broke two tackles up the middle and took it down the right sideline to make the score 17-7 before the half.

            "The staff prepared very well on this game," Zaccheo said. "They make me look really good out there, but I have to give them all the credit. They did a great job."

            The defense did the job the rest of the way on the Conquerors as linebackers Andre Clark and Willie Williams had 12 and 11 tackles respective, flying all over the field putting serious hits on anyone wearing a blue and white jersey. Free safety Lavon Ponder had two interceptions to key the secondary and shut down the Conquerors' air attack.

            "They run to the ball on defense like I have never seen," Trinity head coach Verlon Dorminey said. "Collins killed us. He is awesome and only a sophomore."