By John Peery
Apopka Chief Staff

October 8, 2004 Blue Darters home with University

Faced with the prospect of facing the 2-2 University Cougars after a tough, emotional loss to Edgewater, the Apopka Blue Darters passed with flying, er, rushing colors. The Darters improved their record to 3-1 with a 28-7 win over the Cougars on Friday, October 8, in Apopka's first home game of the season.

Apopka got back to its strong running game, rushing for 324 yards on 42 attempts. That the Darters ran for 324 yards was no surprise, but where it came from was a surprise as sophomore fullback Steven Joseph, subbing for a nicked-up Quentin Taylor, motored for 148 yards and one touchdown on 17 attempts.

Behind him were three balanced performances by quarterback Jonathon Maxwell and wingbacks Ivory Lewis and Tamaki Jackson. Maxwell's contribution was three touchdowns and 55 yards on 9 carries while Lewis gained 67 yards on 8 tries and Jackson had 54 yards on 7 attempts.

For Apopka head coach Ty Ensor, it was a game to rebound from the loss to district rival Edgewater. "We're not there yet, but we're getting better," he said about his team.

Defensively, Apopka stuffed the run, allowing University just 20 net yards on 27 attempts. The Cougars did manage 210 yards on 17-of-31 passing from University quarterback Chad Belcher, but allowed just the one touchdown. Apopka had two interceptions that stopped University scoring drives.

Apopka cranked up its offense on its second possession of the game as Eric Sledge recovered a University fumble at the 50 yard line. It took just three plays for the Blue Darters to score as Jackson got six on the first play, then Lewis had a nice run for 24 before Maxwell scampered for 21 for the touchdown. Maxwell also added the two-point conversion to give Apopka an 8-0 lead with 42.4 seconds remaining in the first period.

University put together a nice drive in the second quarter, but the Apopka defense stiffened and ended the march with sacks by Chris Orr and Dexter Fountain. The Apopka offense then put together its two-minute offense, driving 78 yards in just 1:32 to score with 55.6 seconds remaining in the second period.

The Blue Darters had four plays of more than 10 yards on the drive, which culminated with Maxwell's five-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good as Beary aggravated a muscle problem and only kicked one more time for the Darters. University's first possession of the second half was aided when Apopka muffed a punt, giving the Cougars the ball on the Apopka 18. However, the Darters immediately snuffed that threat as Matt St. Fleurant made a nice interception in the end zone on the next play.

The Darters then drove 80 yards in 10 plays for a score as Maxwell dove in on fourth-and-1 from the University 3 yard line. The two-point conversion try was no good and Apopka had a 20-0 lead with 1:40 remaining in the third period.

The Cougars put together their only scoring drive of the game on their next possession, marching 65 yards as Belcher hit Jon McKinney on a 34-pass on the first play of the fourth period.

But Apopka answered quickly as Joseph scampered 64 yards three plays later for the final touchdown of the game. Maxwell passed to Joe Shuler for the two-point conversion to give the Darters a 28-7 lead with 10:52 remaining in the fourth period.

University put together a last-ditch drive that ended at the Apopka 8 yard line when Corey Pettigrew intercepted a Belcher pass in the end zone.