Fort Dorchester/Goose Creek thoughts

[dfactor26]

This was a great game and a great win for Fort Dorchester, this is the type of game that Fort probably would have lost 4 or 5 years ago but they gutted it out and played well enough to win.


The key to tonight's game is no secret - turnovers. Turnovers are the reason why Fort Dorchester is playing for state next Saturday. Goose Creek had 3 costly fumbles and a bad interception and still almost pulled off the upset, which is pretty impressive when you think about it. And again, these were costly turnovers, not meaningless ones that happen on a hail Mary pass before halftime. One fumble was scooped up by a defender and returned for a score, another was inside the 10 and gave the Fort offense a first and goal. Another fumble occurred in the closing minutes of the game while Goose Creek was in the red zone and on their way to scoring the go-ahead TD which Fort capitalized on when they turned around and scored their own go-ahead and ultimately winning TD. Then the Goose Creek QB had an interception in the red zone which took at least a TD off the board for Goose Creek. Fort had one really ugly, bad interception, but played a mistake free game outside of that, and that turnover battle was definitely the difference with these two teams. Had Goose Creek not turned the ball over in any of those situations we might have seen a different outcome.


Goose Creek's offense was absolutely overwhelming. According to the paper they had almost 500 yards of offense, and 420 came on the ground. Outside of the turnovers the Goose Creek offense was pretty much unstoppable. Goose Creek's fullback #2 was an absolute HOSS all night, he had over 200 yards rushing and 3 TD's, I'm not sure on the numbers/averages but would not be surprised if he was averaging 7-10 yards a carry. He's a devastating runner and just kept pounding, but full credit to the Fort defense for not getting completely worn down on the D-line, they didn't win the battle up front or anything, but they also never looked gassed or gave up. Goose Creek doesn't have the most exciting offense in the world, but it sure is effective. They had one meaningful pass all night, but outside of that it was old-school ground and pound that chewed up clock and yardage. They had a few long runs on option plays, but it seemed like their mistakes happened whenever they didn't give #2 the ball...I feel their offense would have been better off literally just giving him the ball every play, he was that dominant.


The Fort offense played well too. They finished with almost 400 yards of offense and used a much more balanced attack. Joyner had another solid game, 200 yards passing and a TD, and almost 100 yards rushing and a TD. Impressive considering that #81 who has been a beast the entire 2nd half of the season was held without a catch. Tonight it was #12 for Fort who did the damage receiving with 6 catches for 136 yards and a TD. And of course bread and butter Datron James had 75ish yards and 3 TD's including the tying score in the 4th and the go-ahead score with 42 seconds left.



The game was back and forth all night long. It seemed like both offenses always had an answer for the other. with just about 4 minutes to play Goose Creek had the ball and was heading in for what seemed like an inevitable TD. The group I was in was almost hoping that Goose Creek would score quickly so the offense would have a chance to respond! But the defense stepped up big time. After getting a first down on 4th and 8 inside the red zone the Goose Creek RB fumbled the ball, Fort Dorchester recovered and aided by a few penalties drove the length of the field and scored the go-ahead TD. Very thrilling game from start to finish, and both teams played really well. The difference was turnovers and mistakes.


This was a true team win. The offense did their thing, they put 35 points on the board and 400 yards of offense. Outside of one really bad INT by Joyner they played mistake and mostly penalty free. But honestly... despite giving up 35 points, 500 yards and being dominated for 90% of the game the Fort Dorchester defense should get credit for this win forcing those huge turnovers which proved the difference. I realize at this point I'm rambling...but come on, this is the first time Fort gets a chance to go to state, and I have been posting on behalf of Fort Dorchester for over a decade...I deserve a long post lol.


Lots of credit and respect for Goose Creek, the two toughest games Fort played this year were both against Goose Creek. Quality team and quality program, and their fans showed huge support through the entire game. I know it sucks to lose...but I read posts by Goose Creek fans all year calling this an "off year" for Goose Creek...well if an off year gets you a few plays away from a state championship that says quite a bit of good things about your program! So again, I'm sorry to all the Goose Creek fans and players that left the game disappointed tonight, I hate that for you guys, but I sure am happy to get a shot at Dorman and a chance to bring the trophy back to the Lowcountry. It's gonna be a long week.


Congrats to all Fort Dorchester players, coaches and fans! Oh and if you read this whole post, congratulations to you too.

[EHSMeanGreen]

Excellent post as always dfactor26!

Congratulations to Fort Dorchester!
Special congrats to dfactor26, 2002Patriot, fdgrad00, and Red Head!
Good Luck at State next week.

[dfactor26]

Thanks EHS!


One of the local stations did a pretty good recap for anyone interested:
http://www.live5news.com/clip/12052699/ ... reek-42-35" target="_blank

[GoBigGreen]

Good post DFactor and congrats to the Patriots on the win. Another factor which you failed to mention was the loss of the GC fullback #34 late in the 1st half. With the 2 headed attack at fullback with #2 and #34 sharing time the Gator offense was unstoppable. #34 apparently rolled his ankle pretty good and could not put much weight on it after the injury. He did come into the game a few times in the 2nd half but was not effective and just seemed to play the role as a decoy. On the last game winning drive by the Patriots, the Chop Block on the DEFENSE, which I do not ever recall seeing in a game, and the unsportsmanlike penalty for a late hit out of bounds gave FD 30 yards and eventually led to the game winning TD. I am not saying the Patriots would not have scored anyway but only that it was 2 huge penalties at a very critical part of the game. On the chop block I thought the call was going to be holding on FD in trying to keep #7 Kinlaw from getting to the QB. That kid is just a beast. As #7 was headed back to his teammates after the play he was clapping his hands as he also apparently thought the call has against FD. On the late hit out of bounds the flag came out very late. The play occurred on the FD side of the field so I really did not get a good view of the play. What I could see was the players near the sideline followed by 5-6 FD assistant coaches jumping up and down frantically. The played ended and then here comes a flag. Needless to say the refs were not getting much love on the visitor side of the field. Again, still not saying you guys would not have scored anyway and the Patriots had no control over what the refs did...just hate that those two huge penalties occurred in the final minutes of the game.

Congrats again on the win and good luck at state! Dorman is playing some of the best ball in the state right now but FD is 14-0 and stands a good chance to bring a state championship in Div I back to the lowcountry for the first time since 1999 when the Knights did it.

[fdgrad00]

The chop block was a legit call. Kinlaw clearly went low to take out the lineman legs who was pulling. I don't know what you saw. Also the late hit was boneheaded. He was already out of bounds. Kinlaw knew it and couldnt believe his teamate actually did something like that in critical part of the game. And you threw in #34. It would not matter turnovers arebturnovers, whether or not its #2 in there, the turnovers still happen and it cost the creek. We couldn't stop the dive but as needed all year we force turnovers and capitalize on them. That was a heckuva game. Either one of the upstate teams woukd have problems with us or goose creek. Man them big fbs are lineman in backfield but also fasterbthan what i thought. Also told yall we had more than #81. #12 and #14 were Huge. Especially sanders #12. #81 Seem to not be into the game or was a decoy. On the int. He stopped on his route and never try to run down the defender to stop him

[Wavefan70s]

I dunno if it would a mattered or not.
34 and 2 were unstopable..the bad execution on the option hurt goose creek all night.I believe they had to go to other plays more than they wanted with the injury to 34.to keep 2 fresh.two 260 plus fullbacks was load.I'd love to see them play Byrnes for third place.I'm not going to get into the penalties .but there have been some oddball calls at critical times the last two games.it is what it is.How in the hell y'all don't get called for holding I will never know.

[fdgrad00]

Do you really wanna go there???? How about the lack of false starts when the lineman actually moved early in alot of plays or the obvious push off on the oass play which video showed clear as day. So dont go there. You seem to always throw jabs at fort. Again dont hate us because the the wave aren't what they were anymore. My goodness. It was not abhold. He went low from THE start of the play. Where we sat we had a great view as it happen on the back side. On gc side they Wouldnt be able to see it due to congestion on that side the play was ran to. Talk what you know. Your hatred for fort is showing.

[Wavefan70s]

I was more or less talking about the whole game .not that particular play.fort has benefited from calls at critical times in the last two games have they not?
Turnovers have killed both the last two teams y'all have played have they not?
My dislike for fort is no secret.
My god man I have anointed y'all state champs what more could I do.believe me that's a tough one.
We all pour water in our own rice paddy.
I know what I saw I saw holding a lot.
I'm not not picking every call that is missed.
Its just odd.
Just like a few years ago someone got hurt playing against the creek 4 weeks in a row.its odd.
Not that either team did anything .just both benefit ed from stuff.
I stand firm in my assessment of why no holding is called.I can see if its not on the side of the play.but this is
Directly effecting the the defenders in position.
I'm not the only one.I'm just the only one who will post it.
Do I think fort has sway over officials no.that would be a whole other discussion if it was the case.

[CoverTwo]

After watching the replay on the hs network, that was a legit call. Left guard pulled, #7 saw the play coming at him, then dove at the ankles of the pulling guard to take him out. It's rarely called, but it was the correct call.

Is this the best Fort D team ever? It's debatable. I will say it's the most disciplined. Many times I have seen Fort D in the past shoot themselves in the foot with personal and unsportsmanlike penalties. Dumb stuff that would extend drives for the opposing teams. Not this year. Kids play hard, tough football. They force turnovers and capitalized all year.

Good luck to FD.