What looked early like it was going to be an offensive shootout quickly turned into a one-sided affair with the Apopka Blue Darters dominating the Lyman Greyhounds, 26-7, in the preseason Kickoff Classic. The varsity teams battled for the first three quarters, then the junior varsity teams played the fourth period in the game held Friday, August 19, at Apopka’s Roger Williams Field.

“The effort was real good,” said Apopka head coach Ty Ensor. “I think we’re getting an overall better effort this year (over last year).”
One of those who gave a great effort was running back Steven Joseph. He gained 135 yards and had one touchdown on just eight carries. His longest carry was his first, an 80-yard scoring run on the first play of the game. As a team, the Blue Darters rushed for 246 yards on 28 carries in the three quarters of varsity action.

The Apopka defense, in three quarters, gave up just 42 rushing yards on 23 attempts. Lyman threw for 101 yards on 4-of-6 passing with a 72-yard scoring pass making up the bulk of that yardage. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things for the Darters to improve upon when the regular season begins today, Friday, August 26, at Lake Brantley.

“There are a lot of little things, fundamentals,” on which to improve, Ensor said. One thing that can’t be improved upon was that first play of the game. Just when it looked like he was stopped for a gain of about three or four yards on the game’s opening play, Apopka junior runner Stephen Joseph broke loose from the pack and outran the Lyman defense for an 80-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but the game was just 20 seconds old and the Darters held a 6-0 lead.

But, that play wasn’t the only early offensive fireworks. Lyman scored its only touchdown of the game less than two minutes later when quarterback Chris Bridgeman hit David Muniz on a pass in the flat and, after breaking a tackle, he rambled 72 yards for the score. The extra point gave Lyman a brief 7-6 lead with just 2:11 gone in the first quarter.

Apopka regained the lead for good seven plays later when Nico Stanley bowled over from the 2 with 6:18 left in the first period. The two-point conversion try failed and Apopka led, 12-7. The highlight of the 53-yard scoring drive was a 17-yard pass play on fourth-and-6. Derrick Clark made a great leaping catch of a Carl Randolph pass to keep the drive alive and give the Darters momentum.

The teams traded possessions and Apopka continued its domination, driving 63 yards for another score, this one a nine-yard run by Derrick Rouse with 8:45 left in the second period. The two-point conversion try failed and the Darters led, 18-7, which they would take into the locker room at halftime.

After forcing a Lyman punt on the first possession of the third period, Apopka put together an eight-play, 54-yard scoring drive for the final points of the game. Daniel Lewis got the scoring honors on a six-yard run with 3:31 left in the third period. Cedric Bryant passed to Lewis for the two-point conversion to give the Darters a 26-7 lead.

During the fourth quarter, the Apopka JV team moved the ball well, but a drive of 74 yards got as far as the Lyman 17 before losing steam. Quarterback Derrick Shaw had scored for the Blue Darters, but a holding call negated the touchdown run.