Lake Brantley bounces back to win at Ocoee
Lake Brantley limped into Week 7 of the high school football season having suffered lopsided losses each of the past two weeks against Apopka and Sanford Seminole.
The Patriots (2-3), outscored in those setbacks by a combined 65-0 score, rebounded in a big way Friday during a 35-19 win at Ocoee (2-2).
TheKnights entered the game at No. 9 in the Sentinel Super 16 rankings.
It was Lake Brantley’s defense and special teams that rose to the occasion after Ocoee jumped out to a 19-7 lead in the second quarter.
Sophomore Andrew Harris blocked a punt and junior Jacob Darroch returned the loose ball 25 yards for a touchdown to turn the tide. The Patriots capped the night by recording three sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception by Jonathan Schrager.
Darroch finished with sacks. Senior UCF commit Williams carried the 24 times for 218 yards and touchdown in the win.
No. 4 Seminole (5-0) also leaned on its defense while remaining unbeaten during a 39-3 home win against Flagler Palm Coast (2-3). The Seminoles, who have allowed only 30 points this season, intercepted two passes, including a 40-yard pick-six return from Johnny Harris in the fourth quarter. Davell Moore Jr. came away with three sacks.
“Guys are doing their jobs well,” Seminole coach Eric Lodge said. “They know this scheme and it takes all 11 of them.”
Senior quarterback Timmy McClain, aUSF commit, threw a pair of 26-yard touchdown passes, including one to Lawrence Jones Jr. on a jump ball to make it 19-0 in the second quarter.
DeLand (2-1), ranked No. 7, lost for the first time this season 14-7 in a defensive slugfest at home against cross-county rival Daytona BeachMainland (3-1).
No. 12 Winter Park (4-1) racked up 350 rushing yards and forced five turnovers, including three interceptions, in a 49-10 win against Oviedo (3-2) on senior night.
Ayron Rodriguez tallied 170 rushing yards and four touchdowns and sophomore Amaris Shaw added 92 yards and one score in the win.
“It felt good. Senior night is always supposed to be a big night for the seniors,” said Rodriguez, who played the past three seasons at Winter Springs. “It wouldn’t be possible withoutmy O-line, the quarterback and everyone doing their assignments.”
Winter Park made things difficult for Oviedo quarterback Luke Rucker much of the night. He completed 15 of 32 passes for 183 yards, including a 62-yard pass to Alex Saunders to set up the loneTDfor the Lions.
“We knew the kid could run around and chuck the ball,” said Winter Park coach Tim Shifflet. “He’s a really good quarterback and we game-planned that way, so when you get a chance to get off the field, you got to get off the field. You don’t let teams with a good quarterback like that continually get extra shots.
“We’ll learn. We’re trying to figure it out aswe go along here.
“I commend the defensive coaches and the secondary for the way they shut [Rucker] down, but you can’t blow coverages against a kid like that. He’s just too dangerous.”
Jalen Moore had two interceptions and Riley Simpson had one pick for theWildcats.
No. 10 Lake Minneola turned two Anthony ball one to Clermont East Ridge transfer Robbie Sanders to guide the Hawks (3-1) to a 41-3 homecoming win against Dade City Pasco (3-3).
Sanders was playing in place of injured starter BradenDavis.
TheHawks have scored more than 40 points in all three of their victories. Their lone loss was 25-13 against Seminole.
Lake Mary (4-1) and East River (3-1) each pulled out onepoint wins while on the road.
East River stopped a 2-point conversion try following aTDby Lyman (1-4) with 43 seconds remaining to spoil senior night for the Greyhounds. The Falcons overcame a 14-point deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns for a 35-34 win.
The Rams edged Evans 27-26 for their second win in a row since losing 34-7 toWest Orange.
Tavares (3-1) took an early lead and then had to stave off host Mount Dora (0-4) in double overtimefor awild 57-50 victory. It’s the third win in a rowfor the Bulldogs, who lost their opener 43-7 to East Ridge.
LakeNona junior JackWalker set a school record by connecting on three field goals in a 30-13 home win against St. Cloud (2-2). Thegamewasaddedto the schedule Monday when Freedom and Celebration were forced to quarantine due to COVID-19 concerns.
“We’ve never kicked three field goals in a game,” LakeNona coach Anthony Paradiso said. “Jack’s done a great job all year andthewholefield goalteamdid that.”
Walker made two kicks from 30 yards out and added another from 35 yards to help the Lions improve to 3-2.
Class 7A’s Kissimmee Tohopekaliga (2-2) handed Orlando Christian Prep (5-1) its first loss of the season as five players reached the end zone during a 32-22 win.
OCP, which competes in the independent Sunshine State Athletic Conference, was playing against a large-school opponent for the first time since the programdebuted in 2010.
TylerWesley was the catalyst for the Tigers while rushing for a score and passing for another. Wesley connected with Anthony Harlow for a 40-yard TD and reached the end zone on a 10-yard carry after Toho recovered a fumble on special teams.
Sir Giles scored on a 35-yard punt return. Carl Lovett and Randy Duval each rushed for touchdowns.
“We’re starting to see our identity as an offense by rotating backs and sharing the wealth,” Tohopekaliga coach Marc Deas said.