Florida running back somehow slips tackle to score winning TD
Everything was set up for a huge coming-out party for the Hagerty (Fla.) High School Bears last Friday night. Star quarterback Jeff Driskel, a Florida commitment and one of the state's budding dual-threat quarterbacks, was finally getting the attention Hagerty fans feel he deserves. ESPNU cameras were on hand with the team's heavily hyped game against Winter Springs was being broadcast nationwide.
Things still seemed poised for an emotional Hagerty win, despite a persistent Winter Springs rushing attack powered by explosive fullback Joe Bonura. Then, halfway through the fourth quarter in a 21-21 game, speedy Winter Springs running back LaDale Hollie broke left off a handoff and appeared to be pulled down after a small gain. Then, he somehow miraculously avoided making contact with the ground on an attempted tackle, slipped back to his feet and raced for the end zone to score the game's winning touchdown.
The video you see below, courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel, highlights Hollie's touchdown and shows exactly how he avoided making contact, despite being pulled to the turf. You can see more highlights of the game right here.
Player down -- or not? @ Yahoo! Video
It may not be the first time that a player has slipped out of a tackle to score a touchdown, but it was one of the more dramatic examples you'll see. Hollie's touchdown gave Winter Springs a 28-21 lead, an edge the Bears would maintain to hold on for a 28-21 upset victory.
Not that Hollie deserves all the credit for the win, of course. Winter Springs' tough defense held Driskel to 97 yards rushing and 120 yards through the air, despite yielding two rushing touchdowns and one passing score to the future Gator. Still, it's the elusive touchdown from Hollie that will almost certainly be the one fans remember when they look back on Hagerty and Winter Springs' 2010 appearance on national TV.
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