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The question coming into tonight’s game was simple: could the Pinellas Park Patriots continue their winning streak, or would the Hollins Royals get back on track? From start to finish, this game was a back-and-forth battle that kept everyone on edge. The first quarter saw an unfortunate delay when a player suffered a dislocated elbow. Both teams took a knee on their respective sidelines as the player received medical attention, and the Patriots held a prayer after he left the field.
Neither team had a kicker, which meant no extra points were attempted, and most kickoffs looked more like onside kicks. The Patriots won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Royals came dressed in white tops, white helmets, and blue pants, while Pinellas Park sported their home blue jerseys, white pants, and white helmets.
This was a great and entertaining game because there was never a dull moment. The only thing that slowed it down was the steady stream of penalty flags, but that didn’t stop either team from finding the end zone. The Royals relied on their running game, using quick pitch plays to let their speedy back evade Patriot defenders. Pinellas Park, however, adjusted and found ways to contain the run. On offense, the Patriots mixed up the play calling with both runs and passes — a contrast to their varsity team, which typically leans heavily on the ground game. Many players also went both ways, showcasing the depth and determination of this JV squad.
At halftime, the home crowd was treated to a performance by the JV cheerleading squad, adding to the atmosphere of what was shaping up to be a classic.
As the second half began, the energy in the stands picked up, and the crowd’s cheers fueled the Patriots. They took the lead, but Hollins refused to quit, tying the game late and forcing overtime. Under high school overtime rules, each team gets possession at the 10-yard line with four downs to score. Once again, Pinellas Park won the toss and took the ball first. The Patriots punched in a touchdown to go up 32–26, then turned to their defense to seal the win. In just four plays, they held strong and stopped Hollins short of the end zone. The stadium erupted in celebration as players and fans rejoiced in an unforgettable victory.
No matter the outcome, this was one of the best football games in recent memory. The kids on both sidelines left everything on the field, and though someone had to lose, both teams earned respect for their effort. Emotions ran high throughout the night — fans shouted at officials, cheered for big plays, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder supporting their teams. When the final whistle blew, the happiest crowd was clearly the Pinellas Park faithful, who rushed to the field to celebrate with their players.
What are your thoughts on the Patriots’ thrilling overtime win over the Royals? Leave a comment below!
What are your thoughts on the Patriots beating the Royals? Leave a comment below.
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For more, follow me on social media: on Facebook: Bradley Walker, on X: bradwalker3083, on YouTube: The Walker Report, and my two weekly sports podcasts: The P&W Sports Report and The Walker Report.
Author Profile
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Director of Operations for NGSC Sports
Covers USF Athletics in Football, Baseball, Lacrosse, and Softball.
Also covered both major and minor league baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays and Clearwater Threshers.
He also covers college football bowl and conference championship games.
It might seem like just covers team sports he also covers both the PGA & LIV Tours and writes and announces for the Pinellas Park High School Patriots in football and basketball.
He also has two sports podcasts in the P&W Sports Report and The Walker Report.
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[…] Pinellas Park Patriots are experiencing a season of dramatic highs and lows. After struggling through a three-game losing […]