By Dick Corbeil
Apopka Chief Staff

November 26, 2004 Blue Darters at Edgewater For Playoff Game #2, The Regional Championship

Thanks to the fumblerooskie play against Jacksonville Sandalwood, the Apopka Blue Darters kept the 10-point edge for a 31-21 win on November 19 that got them to third round Class 6A, Region I final against perennial rival Edgewater on Friday, November 26.

But, it was the fumblerealskie times two that gave the Eagles that same 10-point spread that handed Apopka a 27-17 defeat and moved Edgewater into the state semifinals tonight, Friday, December 3. Last week's drama before an estimated 9,000 fans at Edgewater's Frank Lough Field boiled down to two first half fumbles by the Darters and a possession change with dicey field position.

"We gave them 17 points," said Apopka head coach Ty Ensor, "and you just can't do that at this level. We moved the ball as well as I thought we could and defended very well. But, we gave it (the ball) up too many times on offense."

Apopka (9-2), whose only regular season loss was a 32-7 pummeling from the Eagles (11-1) on October 2, received the opening kickoff and fumbled the ball on the third play of the game, giving Edgewater possession on the Darters' 20 yard line.

With a holding penalty against Edgewater and a solid defensive effort by Apopka, it took the Eagles eight plays before running back Antonio Turner scored from inside the one yard line and Jordan Dodds' point after made the score 7-0 with 7:24 remaining in the first quarter.

On their second kickoff reception, Apopka settled down and marched 80 yards in eight plays, climaxed by a six-yard plunge up the middle by fullback Quentin Taylor with 3:56 remaining in the first frame. Robert Beary's kick evened the tally at 7-7.

Edgewater began their next drive on their own 44 after a short kick and 12-yard return by Greg Mathews, but the Darters stopped the drive at their own 46, forcing a punt which produced the second fumblerealskie and recovery by the Eagles on Apopka's 20. An energized Darter defense combined with two offensive penalties, forced a 42-yard field goal attempt by Dodds, which he aced, and with 46 seconds left in the first quarter, Edgewater led 10-7.

On their next possession, which moved into the second quarter, Apopka took a chance with a 4th and nine at the Eagles' 36, but Apopka quarterback Jonathon Maxwell was sacked on a pass attempt, losing four yards and the ball went to Edgewater on their 40. Edgewater went to the Apopka 29 in eight plays with sophomore quarterback Robert Arnheim topping off the drive with a scoring pass on first down to wide receiver Mathews. Dodds' point after made the score 17-7 with 5:26 remaining in the second quarter.

Apopka closed their scoring in the first half with a 69-yard drive to the Eagles' 11 yard line in 10 plays, with Beary hitting a 33-yard field goal on fourth down and five and 45 seconds left in the half. Edgewater, however, efficiently used 43 of those seconds getting the ball to the Darters' 21 yard line in six plays, setting up Dodds' second field goal from 37 yards out, with two seconds left. The Eagles took a halftime lead of 20-10 into the locker room.

Edgewater wasted no time after receiving the second half kickoff, moving to the Apopka 41 in five plays, capped with Arnheim hitting wide receiver Bobby Rauh in the end zone from there. Dodds point after put the Eagles up 27-10 with 8:51 left in the third quarter. After being held to their own 20 for three downs on their next possession, the Darters surprised all 9,000 plus onlookers and the Eagles' defense when Beary faked a punt and scampered around right end for 20 yards and a first down at the Darters' 41. This set up a 59-yard drive by Apopka in eight plays with running back Tamaki Jackson scoring on a run from the 33. His touchdown in the 3rd quarter on a 33-yard run with 3:33 remaining, seemed to portend good tidings, as Beary's conversion brought the Darters to within 10 points, 27-17, with over 15 minutes remaining in the game.

Unfortunately for the Darters, both defenses picked up their level of play and that was the end of the scoring for the night. Apopka picked up 317 total offensive yards on the night, 275 rushing and 42 in the air. The Eagles had 194 yards rushing and 156 passing (350 total), as Arnheim completed 9 of 20 attempts. The Darters bested Edgewater on first downs, 13 to 12 and the Eagles overcame 120 yards of penalties for the victory.

The game's leading rusher for Apopka was Taylor with 119 yards on 19 carries, followed by Jackson with 112 yards on 11 carries. Each had one touchdown. Leading rusher for Edgewater was Tim Holloman with 81 yards on 17 carries.