4th-quarter rally leads Blue Darters to win
Apopka was down but far from out Friday night.
Senior quarterback Kaleb Hicks rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and the defense held strong while helping the Blue Darters (1-0) rally for a 13-12 season-opening win vs. visiting Ocoee (0-1).
The start of the game was delayed 59 minutes due to lightning. Wet field conditions led to spotty play on special teams and issues with holding on to the football for both teams.
“Our kids dug down and fought and played Apopka football down the stretch,” Blue Darters coach Jeff Rolson said. “We had a kick blocked, gave up a kick return and had some turnovers, but our kids found a way. They fought, they scratched, and they made it happen.”
Apopka, which entered Week 1 at No. 5 in the Sentinel Super 16 rankings, trailed No. 8 Ocoee 12-0 entering the final quarter.
Hicks, who rushed for 74 yards on 10 carries, scored on a short run on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Blue Darters then forced a punt before taking the lead nine plays later when Hicks scored again on a 1-yard carry with 5:24 to play.
“We knew we were going to have adversity. It was up to the leaders to lead when stuff got hard,” Hicks said. “We just had to pick it up and finish the game off.”
The go-ahead drive featured a fake punt that went for 29 yards on a direct snap to senior Malik Nicholson and a 28-yard completion from freshman Tyson Davison to senior Bryce Harrison.
The Blue Darters ran out the clock from there after Ocoee turned the ball over on downs for the third time on the night four plays later.
Apopka improved to 16-0 all-time against Ocoee despite three turnovers and the absence of senior tight end Antonio Ferguson and junior defensive end Kevin Roberts due to injury. The Blue Darters pulled out a 15-13 win at home two years ago and won 42-0 last season.
Senior Zeldrick Roberts led all rushers with 78 yards on 19 carries as the Blue Darters outgained Ocoee 251-142.
Ocoee took a 6-0 lead when sophomore Joshua Guerrier returned the opening kickoff of the second half 91 yards down the visiting sideline for a score. The Knights extended their advantage with 2:07 to go in the third quarter on a 26-yard completion from Darien Wharton to senior Ahlston Ware in the corner of the end zone.
The Knights managed just seven plays from scrimmage the reminder of the way.
Ocoee senior running back Keyondray Jones, who rushed for 1,200 yards last season as part of Apopka’s state runner-up team, was held to 11 yards on 11 carries. Wharton finished 12-of-21 passing for 119 yards with one touchdown and one lost fumble in his first outing with the Knights.
Ocoee had the ball inside the red zone twice in the first half but came away empty each time.
Ware blocked an Apopka punt attempt late in the first quarter to set the Knights up at the opposing 13-yard line. Nicholson answered for the Blue Darters four plays later by blocking an Ocoee field goal attempt.
The Knights turned the ball over on downs for the first time after senior Josh Singh recovered an Apopka fumble near midfield. The second turnover-on-downs came late in the second quarter after reaching Apopka’s 4-yard line.
Ocoee senior Justyn Yancy was busy throughout the night while teaming up for a sack and recovering a fumble on a muffed punt. Junior Kendrick Lacroix intercepted a tipped pass.
Apopka plays on the road Friday at No. 14 West Orange (1-0). The Warriors opened with a 42-12 win at Oak Ridge (0-1). Ocoee travels to Wekiva (1-0), which won 36-21 over visiting Olympia (0-1).