AUBURNDALE — Auburndale began the Antonio Thomas era with a winning record, but an interception in the end zone in the final 10 seconds took some of the luster — at least for now — from the season.
So instead of a game-winning touchdown to clinch a seven-win season, Auburndale must settle for a six-win season after Poincina beat the Bloodhounds 7-3 on Thursday at Bruce Canova Stadium.
Here are three takeaways from this defeat.
Auburndale’s defense deserved better
The Bloodhounds’ defense, led by linebacker Elijah Dias, kept Auburndale in the game as the offense struggled to find a rhythm.
Poinciana had the ball for the first 21 plays of the game as Auburndale muffed a midfield punt near midfield. The Eagles drove to the Auburndale 18-yard line, but the Bloodhounds stopped them at the 10 on fourth down.
In the second half, after Poinciana returned a blocked punt to the Auburndale 14, the defense forced a fumble at the 1-yard line.
Two breakdowns in pass coverage allowed Poinciana to score its only touchdown. After the Eagles returned an interception to midfield, quarterback Cameron Brown completed a 30-yard pass to the Auburndale 20, followed by a touchdown pass to Jamel George with 8:33 left in the game.
Auburndale finds a running game in the 2nd half
Auburndale ran just 13 plays and managed just one first down in the first half, but the offense came alive after halftime.
After the Bloodhounds recovered the fumble at the 1, they drove to the Poinciana 3-yard line behind the running of Jason McGough Jr., who ran for 44 yards on the drive and had two completions for 31 yards from quarterback Robbie Gaskins.
But the drive stopped at the 5-yard line and Auburndale had to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
McGough finished with 85 rushing yards.
Amari Turner, who started the game under center, returned for the final drive and drove Auburndale from the Poinciana 40 to the 7-yard line before throwing the game-ending interception.
Looking Ahead: The Wanted Quarterback
Turner and Gaskins, who had 66 passing yards, are both seniors. So, developing a quarterback will be a primary focus for Thomas and the Auburndale coaching staff during spring practice.
However, top running backs Anthony Howard, others of whom missed the season finale for family reasons, and McGough are underclassmen, along with Auburndale’s two top receivers, Darion Jiles and Joseph Howard Jr. In fact, of the 12 players who have run at least once or caught at least one pass this season, only two players, Malachi Carter and Chad McClain, are seniors.
Defensively, Dias is back with most of the defense, although the Bloodhounds lose at least three key players.
This article was originally published on The Ledger: Poinciana football hangs on to beat Auburndale in season finale
