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  • The Gators' Malik Foston takes off on a brilliant 52-yard scoring run Thursday afternoon versus the Hurricanes. The Gators won 12-6 and completed their perfect season. David Brent Martin

    Gators win Super Bowl Thursday night

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October 23, 2009

Gators win Super Bowl Thursday night

Undefeated team prevails in overtime versus a determined Hurricanes team in a Bantam League showdown for the ages

Keith Jump

“I am so excited about this win and proud of each one of these kids,” were the words of head coach Evony Rhodes after her Gators’ come-from- behind 12-6 Super Bowl victory Thursday night against a fabulous Hurricane team.

The game itself was marked with some rib-rocking, jaw-dropping hits by both teams. With Baldwin High head coach Jesse Hicks and defensive guru Ronnie Baker in attendance scouting the future, the first half ended in a 0-0 tie.

But the Canes looked hungry and scored first on a beautiful sweep around the right side for a 26-yard touchdown run. They couldn't convert the PAT so it was 6-0 in their favor going into the last quarter.

But then, the well -coached Gators would show their fortitude as they scored on a 52-yard run by Malik Foston to tie the game up at 6-6. Then the game really heated up as both coaching staffs would match each other call for call to take the game to overtime.

At that point “Kansas Plan” was put into effect with both teams getting the ball at the 10-yard line to see who could score the most or who would stop who.

The undefeated Gators would get the ball first, and the Canes seemed to have their number. But on fourth down from the one-yard line, Shondavious King would inch the ball over for a 12-6 Gator advantage.

That’s when coach Rhodes’ defense stood tall and held the Canes out of the end zone for the win and the Bantam weight 7- to 8-year old Super Bowl title.

“I want to thank coach Foston as he taught me a lot this year and did something not a lot of people wanted to do — he took a woman coach and showed her the ropes and showed me respect and I really want to thank him so much,” said Rhodes.

So for the 2009 football season, congratulations to the runner-up Hurricanes for a great run, and congratulations to the undefeated champion Gators on their perfect season!

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