Loss Doesn't Damper Luster of Gutsy First Win for Falcons

Although the Dunedin Falcons' 40-11 on the road, it doesn't shadow the the team's first recorded win last week over Blake.

Traveling to Hillsborough County which usually is a nightmare for Pinellas County schools, the Dunedin Falcons not only battled Blake toe-to-toe, but proved tougher in the fourth quarter.

There were no secrets. It was simply, old-fashioned smashmouth football. No spread offenses. No pass-happy quarterbacks. Just hand the ball off and power your way through the line.

With the ball in the final minutes, it was as if Dunedin dared Blake to stop them. It was as if the coaches yelled out the plays and said, “Stop us if you can.”

Blake couldn't.

Time and again, Dunedin ran right off tackle, often with quarterback Anthony Diviney. Most teams seem allergic to running their quarterbacks but not Dunedin, which called Diviney's name 12 times and he ran for 120 yards.

But it wasn't just Diviney. Running back Shaquille Dixon scored two touchdowns for the Falcons, both on short runs of three- and two-yard carries.

“It was all the offensive line,” Diviney said after the win, refusing to take any credit. “The offensive line, they did it all. I just ran behind them.”

For Diviney, the win was a long-time coming. After dropping their first two games of the season, many began to doubt the Falcons but that doubt did not exist in the Falcons locker room.

“We have run the ball well every game,” Diviney said. “We had at least 200 yards rushing each game.”

On Friday's loss against Lakewood, the running backs were just as strong, but Diviney was never able to establish himself.

Blake coach Harry Hubbard believed the Falcons' record was very misleading after the Blake game.

“On tape, they looked like a good running team and I thought their line, both offensive and defensive, would be the difference in the game,” Hubbard said.

And it was.

When Blake took an 18-16 lead late in the game, Dunedin didn't buckle like some teams would.

“When they went up, I thought we would just score,” Diviney said. “When they went up late in the game, we came right back and scored. When they took the lead, I just thought, 'Let's do it again.'”

The Falcons did just that. 

did just that. His 29-yard field goal proved to be the game-winner.

With that win a week ago, the team proved it can win physical, close games.

The team hopes to harness the keys to that Blake victory and regroup after Lakewood as it readies for this week's homecoming game against Gibbs High School (Friday, Sept. 30).

The 50th anniversary event kicks off with a tailgate party (5 p.m.) that features about a dozen local vendors. Game starts at 7 p.m. at Dunedin High School.