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Football: Steinbrenner 21, Alonso 14

 
Published Oct. 22, 2016

LUTZ — When Steinbrenner and Alonso met at the conclusion of last season, it was a night capped with ice-water baths and jubilation as the Warriors earned their first playoff berth in program history.

While there was no postgame celebration on Friday night with both Class 8A, District 6 teams well out of the postseason picture, Steinbrenner did take a step toward another program first in its 21-14 victory:

Finishing undefeated at home.

Colin Wray threw two touchdowns for the Warriors (5-3, 3-3) — including a 42-yarder to Brett Bitter in the closing seconds of the first half — and Carson Kaleo ran for another as Steinbrenner handed Alonso (1-7, 0-5) its seventh straight loss.

Steinbrenner hosts Berkeley Prep to wrap up its season on Nov. 4.

Key drive: From a missed 57-yard field goal attempt by Steinbrenner to Alonso facing a fourth and 65 after three straight snaps sailed high over its quarterback's head, the opening minutes Friday were anything but pristine. But once the game finally broke out of the muck, it was Steinbrenner that did just enough to squeak by. Such as on its final possession of the first half. Trailing by seven, Wray drove the Warriors downfield with three quick completions. Then, after a 21-yard connection to Bitter, Wray found his man again down the sideline as Bitter leaped over a defender to haul in his long touchdown.

Play of the game: Sometimes the ball just rolls your way. For Alonso, that was taken literally. On third and 2 from the 9 in the second quarter, a fumbled snap ended up being recovered for a gain — and more importantly — the first down. One play later, Shaye Scott scampered into the end zone from 7 yards out to give the Ravens their first and only lead of the game.

Stars of the game: Scott added a second score through the air late in the fourth quarter on a desperation 19-yard heave. … Brandon Garcia hauled in Wray's second TD pass — a 19-yarder — in the fourth quarter. … Steinbrenner's Michael Boone and Dane Coleman had an interception apiece. … Cyle Kurnia picked off Wray once.

Final word: "I was just thinking ball, ball, ball the whole time. That's what we've worked on ever since I was a freshman. … That was my strength just to go up and get the ball." — Bitter on his TD