Defense carries Phantoms

FLORENCE — Mike Watson’s first career win as coach of the Phantoms was anything but pretty.

Offensively, his team struggled mightily. And he held his breath as Larry Thompson’s interception with 27.2 seconds left sealed a 19-13 win over Harrisburg on Friday at the Florence Civic Center.

With less than a minute to go in the contest, Florence (1-1) tried to run the clock out. Cedric Singleton, however, fumbled the ball deep in Harrisburg territory and the Stampede recovered.

But Thompson killed any hope of a miracle victory on the next play. The defensive specialist picked off A.J. Roque’s desperation pass at the Florence 15.

“What an exciting way to end a game,” Watson said. “It gave me a coronary, but the fans got what they asked for.”

“All we’re asking for is the offense to give us two or three touchdowns,” Thompson said. “But we can’t control that. All we can do is what we can do.”

Florence’s defense made stop after stop against Harrisburg’s offense, including a stop on Roque’s quarterback draw as time expired in the first half. The Phantom defense also picked up a first-quarter safety.

Roque did throw two TD passes, one to former Phantom Rafael Cooper in the contest.

“Hats off to the defense,” Watson said. “They were great tonight.“

“It was our first game, and our timing was a little off,” Harrisburg coach Kelly Logan said. “When you play a good defense like Florence, you’re going to struggle a little bit.

“Offensively, we have to go to the drawing board and keep working.“

Florence’s offense had its share of problems against the Stampede defense. Quarterbacks Cory Midfeld and Darlington’s Brian Scott each threw interceptions in the game and bobbled several shotgun snaps.

Scott managed to get his team in the end zone for its lone TD when he completed a 29-yard strike to South Florence’s Torrey Pettigrew on the final play on the third quarter.

“We’ve got a bye week coming up and we’re going to continue to work hard,” Watson said. “We’ve got to get our quarterbacks and receivers in sync, however.“

“It’s going to take time for the offense to gel together, so we have to carry this team right now,” Florence defensive back Otheese Wells said. “It’s what we’re supposed to do. Anything less, then you need
to leave this game.“

Derek Scott provided most of the scoring for Florence. The Phantoms kicker hit three of four field goals and added an extra point on a kickoff in the first.

“That’s the job I’m here to do,” he said. “I’d rather be kicking extra points but I’m here to make the kicks I’m supposed to make.“

Notes
Former Clemson quarterback Woody Dantzler was signed by Harrisburg earlier in the week but didn’t dress because of an injury. He was in attendance on the Stampede bench. … Two former Phantoms coaches were also in attendance at the Civic Center. Tavares Bowens, who led the team to an American Indoor Football Association championship last season, sat in the stands as did coach Carlos Clayton.