It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. Hawthorne, ranked #4 in the most recent Class A poll was the pre-season favorite to run the table in District 4. At 7-0 (5-0) things were moving along as planned with no indication of slowing down. After all, the Hornets high flying offense, led by two-time All-State performer Cornelius Ingram and a solid supporting cast of skills players including Marcus Baker, Rashad Jackson, and Aaron Ellison were averaging 40 points per game. Defensively, Jeremiah Williams and Mike Baker led a fleet footed defense who were giving up only 12.5 points per game.

Along the way, Chiefland was quietly emerging as a possible challenger. The Indians raised a few eyebrows with an early season victory over Union County, but were still considered a longshot to overcome the Hornets for the district title. That was a huge oversight.

Chiefland defeated Hawthorne 34-12. Indians Coach Sam Holland graciously told me after the game, “We’re just fortunate and blessed”. Blessed, absolutely. Blessed with a bunch of kids who dig deep and play with heart, a solid coaching staff, and a community that shows up in voice and spirit. Five Diesel trucks trackside that let the airhorns loose every time the Indians score isn’t a bad touch either.

While Coach Holland takes the gracious route, let me say that this was nothing less than a calculated old-fashioned butt whoppin’. In the fourth quarter, the Indians opened up the 55-gallon drum of industrial sized whoppin’ and poured it all over the Hornet nest. This was Rocky taking a few early hits before repeatedly knocking Apollo Creed to the canvas. You almost found yourself humming “Eye of the Tiger” late in the fourth quarter.

As I said, Chiefland took some early hits. The Hornets came out and scored a couple of first quarter touchdowns, while racking up 153 total yards of offense. The second score came on a terrific pass from Ingram to Jackson, as the Hawthorne superstar was under heavy pressure.

The Indians rallied as quarterback Cortez Gent hit Marvin Dunmore for a 76 yard touchdown. It was a knockdown that seemingly left a scar on the Hornet defensive unit. Later Gent scored on a keeper from one-yard out. The fact that Gent was able to play was gutsy. To play as well as he did, outstanding. Gent dislocated his right thumb in last week’s 37-0 shutout victory over Baldwin.

The coaching staff did an outstanding job of keeping studying the Hornets and coaching the players up on what to expect. They also utilized their depth wisely. It was obvious as the game went along that the Indians gained momentum and that the wore down an outmanned Hornet team, as the second half was all Indian.

Chiefland scored on a 14 yard run by Gent, while the defense continually pressured Ingram and created turnovers. “Defensively, we had a great game plan. Our defensive coaches came up with a some things where we were able to try and slow Cornelius down a little bit. We had some unbelievable efforts from our young men who really stepped up.” Holland said. One of those was linebacker Chad Brock.

Brock was everywhere defensively. And when Gent went out on occasion to nurse the thumb, Brock stepped in at quarterback and kept the Indians moving forward. It should be noted that Gent was cleared to play by his doctor, and based on his conversation with me after the game, he would have wanted it no other way. “It was great team win. We were blessed by God.” So how’s the thumb? “Oh, it’s killing me right now” Gent said while laughing. “After the game, I really got to feeling it. It’s killing me.” The smile on Gent’s face said it all though. These underdogs were bruised, but like Rocky Balboa, threw blow after blow until they had beaten down the favorite. I’ll have more on this game in my mid-week column.

Mark McLeod-Executive Publisher, Florida Blue Chip Report

A pair of district showdowns will dominate The Sunshine State this weekend as 6A giants Northwestern and Carol City meet for District 10 supremacy, while on the north central Florida Gulf coast, Hawthorne travels to Levy County to take on Chiefland in a battle that figures to weigh heavily for the District 4A championship. We’ll also look at a couple of non-district games featuring three ranked teams in state 3A and the dominate Palm Bay.

While the Yankee invasion of Pro Player Stadium is the dominate talk of the town, but that is certain to give way Friday night. Northwestern 7-0 (3-0) comes in ranked #2 in Class 6A against Carol City, the top ranked team in Class 6A in a game that will pack Pro Player Stadium. Originally scheduled to play at Traz Powell Stadium, fan interest has caused this one to be moved to the big arena, where more than 25,000 fans are expected to attend the showdown. The Chiefs are ranked #12 in the USA Today Top 25. The poll has ignored Northwestern, and don’t think that the Bulls haven’t noticed. The word on 71st Street is that this will be a statement game.

Chiefland is looking to make a statement of their own. The Indians finally appeared in the state poll, coming in at #10 and looking for respect and a district title. The Hornets feature two-sport star Cornelius Ingram. The 3rd ranked Hornets are dead set on escaping Levy County with a victory and lead the District 4A race. You won’t have to ask directions to this one. Just drive across the Levy County line and ask somebody.

Two non-district games that are certain to draw interest are:

Cocoa High School 7-0 vs Palm Bay High School 7-0

The Pirates enter Friday night’s contest as the 5th best team in USA Today Top 25 Poll and the #1 team in Class 5A. Cocoa is moving up from their Class 3A digs to challenge the defending state champions. Cocoa is currently ranked #4 in Class 3A.

Clay County 6-1 at Palatka 7-0

Class 3A holds yet another big match-up as Clay County travels to Palatka where they hope to upset the #2 ranked Panthers. The Blue Devils are ranked 6th in the state, and are in line to make a big jump with a victory in this one.

Ft. Walton Beach Choctawhatchee High School Assistant Coach Jeff Peters graciously took a few minutes from his busy schedule to speak with Florida Blue Chips about All-State wide receiver D.J. Hall. We would like to thank Coach Peters for giving us the latest on one of the gems of the Emerald Coast. Here are the bakers dozen...

1) Coach Peters, what kind of leader is DJ? A quiet leader or a guy who challenges his teammates? D.J. is a guy who leads by example. He's not very vocal. He just shows up and works as hard as he can and others follow him.

2) Does DJ challenge himself to improve each week? Yes, he comes to practice ready to work and get better each week. He realizes that there is always room for improvement and he works on the little things to help himself out.

3) What is DJ's work ethic compared to other athletes that you've coached in the past? He is plays as hard as anyone that I have coached before. He is very tough on himself and demands perfection out of himself.

4) What areas will DJ have to improve upon before making the transition to the collegiate level? I think DJ is very hard on himself when he makes a mistake. He needs to realize that throughout the course of a ballgame, there are going to be highs and lows, and when something bad happens, such as a dropped pass, or a missed block, he needs to forget about it and make a great play the next chance that he gets.

5) What is DJ's personality type? He is the most likable kid that I have ever been around. He is polite to teachers and students. He has been voted Class favorite I think every year at Choctaw. He is and all-around great kid.

6) Does DJ handle the spotlight well? I think DJ shy’s away from attention a little bit. He gets a ton of attention and I think that it embarrasses his a little bit. He likes to see others get some attention as well. He is a team player and likes for everyone to be recognized as well as him.

7) Is DJ strong academically? I think his grade point average is a 2.8 or 2.9.

8) Do you know what DJ plans on majoring in? No, I don't.

9) Does DJ ask you any questions about colleges and maybe what to look for in selecting the right school for him? He talks about it a little bit, but I think right now, he is concentrating on this season and trying to have the best season that he can have, and will worry about that after the season is over.

10) Does DJ have strong family support? DJ's Mom and Dad are at everything that he does. They are very supportive.

11) Does DJ have any brothers or sisters in the program at Choctaw? DJ has an older brother (Magic) that graduated in 2002. He plays basketball at Central Florida Community College.

12) Has DJ mentioned a school that he's leaning toward? I think that he is giving them all a chance. He has been to games at Florida, Alabama, and Florida State so far this year.

13). Could you provide us with DJ's highlights through the first four games? So far this year, D.J. has 13 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns. He has eight carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He also has three punt returns for touchdowns.

A special thanks to Coach Peters and best of luck to D.J. and the Indians during the remainder of the 2003 season.

Larry Sharron Columnist, Florida Blue Chip Report

Xavier Carter's Palm Bay HIgh School Pirates remained the #5 team in the nation in USA Today's most recent Top 25 Football Poll. The Pirates (4-0) travel to Kissimmee to take on the Osceola Kowboys on Friday night.

Tallahassee Lincoln moved up to #6 in the poll as the Trojans squeezed out a 16-14 victory over Lynn Haven Mosley. Miami Carol City jumped two spots nationally to #17 with a 26-18 victory over Broward County big shot Ft. Lauderdale Dillard.

Central linebacker Arlington Highsmith scored a pair of touchdowns courtesy of special teams blunders as Central blasted Killian 32-0 in Thursday night action.