https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zerQMiBEZRc
It was not quite redemption for senior running back Devin Casey. A week’s worth of practice and a new game will be the only way he could possibly get his two fumbles back. He just needed to make sure he sealed the game when he was called upon.
With Pine Ridge closing to within five points on a late score, Casey was called upon one final time to rumble through the defense and seal the game.
On third-and-five, Casey ran for 26 yards to seal the 14-9 win for Lake Howell and a 1-0 record, a big achievement for a team that won just two games last year.
It was not easy though. Lake Howell (1-0) committed three turnovers, two from Casey inside the red zone, committed nine penalties for 50 yards and gave Pine Ridge (0-1) every opportunity to stay competitive in the game.
It was a ground-game clinic from the Silver Hawks for most of the game.
Casey busted open Pine Ridge’s defense for 106 yards on six carries. He had 32 yards and a 19-yard reception on Lake Howell’s opening drive of the third quarter alone. He even had two 20-yard runs called back for penalties during the drive before he fumbled at the Pine Ridge 14-yard line.
These were the missed opportunities Lake Howell experienced throughout the game. This week, it did not come back to haunt them.
Javon Bridgewater paced the Silver Hawks throughout the game for 80 yards on 16 carries.
Lake Howell will need more of that and Casey’s breakaway running to reverse the team’s downward trend from last year. This was a win that meant a lot to the team.
Even with the score unusually tight, Lake Howell came through when the moment really called for it.
What turned out to be the game-winning touchdown came on 4th-and-8 when Clayton Ross found Chris Leonard in the flat just short of the line to gain. Leonard had room in front of him, easily picked up the first down and scampered into the end zone for a 14-3 lead.
From there, Lake Howell just needed to hold on. Something the Silver Hawks had done all night.
Pine Ridge did not make it easy. Their beefy, diminutive running back Trevon Haynes rushed for 21 yards on five carries on Pine Ridge’s final drive, scoring on a 2-yard run with 3:17 left. Haynes finally found consistent running room and bullied his way to pay dirt.
The Panthers needed just one more chance perhaps to pull even in this game or steal the win.
Lake Howell’s stellar running backs kept that from happening. And Casey made sure he had some measure of redemption for his earlier mistakes.
For Lake Howell, the teams needs to correct the turnovers and penalties that plagued it during both its kickoff classic game and its season opener.
For now, 1-0 is 1-0 and a reason for a struggling team with a proud history to celebrate.
Elsewhere…
Bishop Moore rolls in College Park battle
Class 5A No. 3 Bishop Moore (1-0) established itself as one of the dominant teams in Central Florida with an absolute mugging of local rival Edgewater (0-1), 35-7.
C.J. McNeal carried the Hornets’ rushing attack with 120 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns. The Hornets’ bruising offensive line led by Notre Dame-commit Parker Boudreaux had their way with the Class 7A No. 9 Eagles all night.
It is Bishop Moore’s third straight win in the series and third win overall in the rivalry, showing Bishop Moore’s sudden and dominating rise in the area.
Dr. Phillips keeps winning
Class 8A No. 5 Dr. Phillips (1-0) kept its regular season winning streak going. It is now up to 34 games after Dr. Phillips defeated Wekiva (0-1) 27-0 on Friday.
The Panthers scored on a 70-yard pass to Jaquarius Bargnare, a three-star wide receiver considering West Virginia, South Florida, Indiana and Wake Forest among others.
That first drive was a sign of the dominance that was to come throughout the game. Dr. Phillips outgained Wekiva 355-178 for the game.
Apopka’s title defense begins
Class 8A No. 1 Apopka (1-0) began its title defense in style. The Blue Darters scored three touchdowns in 45 seconds to score a 40-6 road victory on opening night.
Ocoee fumbled on consecutive plays after Apopka scored in the second quarter, leading to two more quick Apopka touchdowns. That made it 33-0 and silenced and thoughts of an upset from Ocoee.
Class 8A No. 8 West Orange 45, Foundation Academy 0: The Warriors scored on seven of its eight possessions with Woody Barrett passing for 178 yards and rushing for 128 yards to go with three touchdowns.
