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The Lely Trojans traveled to Clearwater for its spring game against Countryside, coming away with a 24-17 win and positive attitude for the fall.

The game Thursday pitted the Trojans, a 3A school, against 5A Countryside.

“I am very happy with our play,” Lely coach Steve Pricer said. “We expected a lot from them and they delivered against a team that will be very good in the fall.”

Both teams had a number of questions to answer, with Pricer coming away feeling key questions were answered.

Offensively there were a lot of pluses, with the Lely offensive line taking over the game in the second half and the defense able to throttle down the Countryside offense.

Cotorey Seals is back on the offensive line after sitting out last season with a knee injury.

“We played Cotorey about three quarters and he played well. He is back to full strength and pass blocked very well,” said Pricer.

Frankie Pugh and Darion Hall proved they were the running backs of the future, rushing for a combined 246 yards and each tallying a touchdown. Hall exploded for a 52-yard score and Pugh broke free for a 36-yard TD that put Lely ahead, 21-17.

“They gave Dennis (Marcelin) plenty of time in the first half to throw the ball, then dominated the (Countryside) line in the second half when we decided to grind it out,” Pricer said.

Marcelin, who will be a senior, started his first game, tossing 7 of 14 completions.

“For his first start he came through pretty well,” Pricer said. “I think he understands the importance of his role. But we aren’t putting all our eggs in one basket. Sean O’Regan played most of the fourth quarter and I expect both will improve over the summer. I’ve learned you need two to three quarterbacks ready.”

Marcelin tossed a two-yard TD pass to tight end Ace Estillien.

“Ace played tight end last year, but has shown this spring he is ready for the ball,” Pricer said. “He will be another tool in our arsenal.”

Lely topped 375 yards in overall yardage.

Pricer also was impressed with the defense as the game moved along.

“Although they scared us at the end, I thought our guys tackled pretty well. They had a strong running back who we pretty much bottled up in the second half.”

The scare was a last-ditch drive by Countryside. Beginning at its own 15. Countryside maneuvered almost the length of the field.

With the ball at the Lely seven-yard line and just seconds left, Countryside quarterback James Chmelik ran to the outside.

Linebacker Emmanuel Eduoard not only stopped him at the four, but kept Chmelik in bounds, killing the final few seconds to preserve Lely’s win.

Pricer, who worked with coach Dave Miller on the defense, was very pleased for Eduoard, who sat out last year with a broken ankle.

“I’m sure he was concerned at first on early hits, but made a great tackle, then kept the runner in bounds,” Pricer said. “That was very inspiring.”

A suspect kicking game in 2007, the Trojans look good with soccer player Gerry Reyes.

“Our kicking game was excellent,” said John Principe, offensive coordinator. “Gerry was 3-for-3 on extra points and kicked a 36-yard field goal.”

Principe thinks the team has prepared better this spring.

“The team has been working hard in the weight room and it showed against a big, physical 5A football team that dressed 90 kids,” he said. “We want to play tough competitions. We’ll be a strong FAU camp in Boca Raton this weekend East Coast teams. We want to lock it up with the big Miami boys and see how we handle their speed.”

Both coaches think the team is already coming together, building a strong camaraderie.

“I think that will help us down the road,” Pricer said. “Our motto has always been about others not our self. These guys are about sacrificing for the team.”