Nov. 4, 2025
Reported by Alfredo Muente
The East Lake Eagles (7-2) closed out their regular season in dominant fashion, routing the visiting Countryside Cougars (3-7) 49-8 on Senior Night in the final Pinellas County Schools “Game of the Week.”
The crisp 68-degree evening showcased one of the county’s top offenses as East Lake, which swept through Class 6A-10 district play, now turns its attention to the FHSAA playoffs beginning November 14. Among Pinellas County’s public schools, the Eagles advance alongside district champions Clearwater (7-3) and Osceola (6-3), as well as runners-up Boca Ciega (4-5), Dunedin (4-5), Largo (5-4), Lakewood (8-1), and Pinellas Park (5-4).
The Cougars entered the finale on a five-game skid following a 40-0 loss to Clearwater on October 24, while East Lake came off a thrilling 39-35 comeback win over Largo that secured the district crown. The Eagles had won four straight over Countryside dating back to 2019, including a 59-0 rout last season.
Both teams featured top-10 passers entering the matchup: East Lake’s Eli Millian ranked fifth in the county with 1,585 yards, while Countryside’s Cam Waddington stood ninth with 1,282. The Eagles also boasted standout receiver Jeremiah Cooper (637 yards) and running back Brian Ford (881 yards).
East Lake wasted no time asserting dominance. Millian hit Tommy Clark for a 4-yard touchdown less than three minutes in, and Ford added a 14-yard score shortly after. A 35-yard strike to Brooks Couch and a 52-yard sprint from Ford made it 28-0 just eight minutes into the game. Ford tallied 108 rushing yards on only nine first-half carries.
Backup QB Jace Delk opened the second quarter with a 9-yard TD to Cooper, and Elijah Walker added a 19-yard run to make it 42-0 at halftime. The Cougars finally got on the board early in the third when Yate Crosby scored from three yards out and Caden Collins converted the two-point try, cutting it to 42-8. But Will Jones sealed the night with a fourth-quarter touchdown for the 49-8 final.
Waddington finished 11-of-29 for 105 yards in defeat, while Millian, Delk, and Kyle Beverage combined to go 7-of-13 for 100 yards. With the regular season complete, playoff brackets will be released next Friday after a statewide bye week. Good luck to all Pinellas County teams moving forward.
