Football: Anclote 26, Hudson 7

HOLIDAY — Despite it being a back-and-forth game for three quarters Friday, Anclote always seemed to have the edge, only for miscues to dull the momentum.

Penalties and turnovers — such as two interceptions by Hudson safety Dougie Blanton — ended two Sharks drives inside Cobra territory in the first half. And in turn, they negated chances for Anclote to seize total control of the game.

The Cobras actually led 7-6 at halftime, thanks to a 40-yard scoring run from Bryan Lindsay. The Sharks struck first in the second quarter, on a 5-yard touchdown reception by Michael Carter.

Despite the Sharks (1-2) throwing their third interception of the night in the third quarter, they remained collected. After forcing a three and out, Anclote opened the fourth quarter with a three-play drive to retake the lead, which in turn opened the floodgates.

A close game became a 26-7 Sharks victory. Two of the plays on the drive were passes caught by Daionta Reynolds, the latter being a 14-yard touchdown.

“He’s our Swiss Army knife. We could put him anywhere on the field. He’s that kind of kid,” Anclote coach Jason Messamore said.

Reynolds was the go-to guy for quarterback Adam Hardy. A transfer from Tarpon Springs, Hardy threw for 244 yards on 14-of-22 passing with 119 going to Reynolds for two TDs. Not to be outdone by his teammate, Carter hauled in four catches for 39 yards and three scores.

Hudson (1-2) kept the game close through three quarters with its pound-and-ground game plan. The absence, however, of quarterback Joe Brown and running back Adam Pedersen, who was second in rushing for Pasco County entering Friday night, was evident.

The Cobras mostly lacked explosive plays that would help them take over the game, though Lindsay did rush for a game-high 154 yards on 27 carries.