Wekiva Mustangs got a big performance from backup running back Simmian Mitchell to blow out the Evans Trojans 40-0.
Wekiva knows there will be tough district battles ahead. Both West Orange and Apopka are on the schedule in the difficult District 8A-4. The opener is just the appetizer that will come — particularly Oct. 16 in its next game at Apopka.
The quicker the Mustangs could dispose of the Trojans the better. The easier too.
Evans proved to be no match for Wekiva and its running attack. Wekiva turned to backup running back Simmian Mitchell in the second half. He rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries, scoring three touchdowns in the second half to cement a 40-0 win in District 8A-4 play at Baptiste Orthodontics Stadium in Apopka.
The game felt very much decided well before then as Apopka shut down Evans throughout the game.
The Mustangs opened the game with a seven-play, 80-yard drive capped off with a Trey McGee pass to Carneilous Dennison for a 45-yard catch and run. Dennison caught the ball underneath the defense and just beat everyone down the sideline for the score.
Evans would return the ensuing kickoff to the 23-yard line but fumbled it three plays later.
It would be slow going in the second quarter before Jaylon Fair broke things open with a 20-yard touchdown run and then a quick 41-yard drive assisted by penalties allowed Wekiva to score one more time before the end of the half.
Mitchell took over in the second half, as he has done on several occasions so far this season.
Evans’ last gasp was the opening drive of the second half. It was a 15-play, 52-yard drive that brought the Trojans to the 23-yard line. And it ended in nothing. Jose Guevera’s 49-yard field goal was no good.
The Trojans would not sniff the red zone again. The Mustangs shut down their triple-wing offense forcing several interceptions (including a return of one pick to the one-yard line) and holding quarterback Kimani Binder to 15 yards on nine carries and just 4-for-14 passing.
Wekiva truly put the game away after that long drive from Evans. The Mustangs drove 80 yards in 10 plays with Dennison carrying the ball six times for 44 yards, including the two-yard touchdown. That made it 27-0 and put the game firmly out of reach. Especially with most of the third quarter now spent (there were only 33 seconds left).
Binder’s interception returned 59 yards by Damaris August to the one-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter only furthered the avalanche.
Evans simply could not withstand Wekiva’s defense or its rushing attack. Particularly with struggles on special teams.
For a team like Wekiva, ranked No. 12 in the Orlando Sentinel’s Super 16, this was the game the team needed to take care of. The games against Apopka and West Orange will likely decide the district, especially after West Orange ripped Apopka on Friday night. Wekiva feels like the odd team out in the district pecking order.
The way Wekiva dismantled Evans certainly should breed some confidence heading into the bye week that this team can be ready to take on the cross-town rivals in Apopka.
