AUBURNDALE — Auburndale has begun 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 — off the season.
So instead of a game-winning touchdown to clinch a seven-win season, Auburndale has to settle for a six-win season after Poincina defeated the Bloodhounds a 7-3 on Thursday at Bruce Canova Stadium.
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
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 football for the first 21 plays of the game as Auburndale muffed a punt midway through that span 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 to play in the game.
Auburndale finds running game in 2nd half
Auburndale had just 13 plays and made just one first down in the first half, but the offense woke up after halftime.
After the Bloodhounds recovered the fumble at the 1, they drove to the Poinciana 3-yard line behind a 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 stalled at the 5-yard line and Auburndale had to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
McGough finished with 85 yards rushing.
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: Quarterback wanted
Both Turner and Gaskins, who combined for 66 yards passing, are seniors. So developing a quarterback will be one of the primary goals of Thomas and the Auburndale coaching staff come spring practice.
However, top running backs Anthony Howard, who had other miss the season finale for family reasons, and McGough are underclassmen, along with Auburndale’s top two receivers Darion Jiles and Joseph Howard Jr. In fact, of the 12 players who ran 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 along with most of the defense, although the Bloodhounds lose at least three key players.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Poinciana football hangs on to beat Auburndale in season finale
