Even though both teams usually have strong defenses, when Apopka and Lake Brantley play, the rushing numbers normally add up. This time, though, they were downright paltry as the teams combined for just 227 yards rushing in Apopka’s 14-9 victory over the Patriots Friday, August 26, in the season opener for both teams.

Each team had more penalties than first downs (Apopka had 14 penalties and 9 first downs while Lake Brantley had 8 penalties and 3 first downs, none in the first half) and in the passing department, the teams were a combined 4-for-20 with two interceptions for just 68 yards. Apopka did have a touchdown pass, but even that was thrown by a running back.

For Apopka, however, the sweetest part of it was the five-point victory and a 1-0 start for the season. “We won; that’s about it,” said Apopka head coach Ty Ensor. “The defense won the ballgame for us. We stunk on offense.”

It was the 14 penalties and two turnovers on offense which frustrated Ensor the most. “We kept making so many mistakes,” he said. “We should be better than that.”

There were some offensive highlights for the Blue Darters, including a 25-yard run on the first play of the game by Apopka’s Steven Joseph, who ended 119 yards on 10 carries. He also had a 50-yard jaunt in the second half. The only problem with that third quarter run is it provided Apopka’s only first down of the second half.

The Blue Darters’ first possession of the game was typical of the rest of the contest as Joseph went for 25 yards on the first play, then, before quarterback Carl Randolph could get the ball snapped for the next play, the Darters had two motion penalties. Then, two plays later, after getting an apparent first down, a holding penalty stalled the drive and forced a punt.

After the Apopka defense forced a quick three-and-out on Lake Brantley’s first possession the Apopka offense got moving on its second try and went to a little chicanery for its first touchdown of the season when running back Daniel Lewis threw to a wide-open Derrick Clark for a 31-yard touchdown pass play to give the Darters the lead. Robert Beary’s extra point gave the Darters a 7-0 lead with 6:02 in the first quarter.

On Apopka’s next possession, the Blue Darters set up Lake Brantley’s touchdown with a fumble the Patriots recovered on the Apopka 8 yard line. It took three plays, but Lake Brantley’s Adam Allegroe scored from the 4 and Bill Pigozzi’s extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 2:11 remaining in the opening period.

After the teams traded punts -- which happened often during the game -- Apopka took the lead for good, driving 53 yards in seven plays, including a fumblerooskie that netted just five yards.

Nico Stanley scored on an 11-yard run and Beary’s extra point gave the Darters a 14-7 lead with 2:30 left before halftime. Apopka had a chance to put more points on the board just before half when Joe Shuler intercepted a Chris Keating pass and returned it to the 17. However, Beary’s 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

The second half was much of the same, but even more so as the teams traded punts and penalties. Apopka had another shot at a field goal, but this time, Beary’s 34-yard attempt sailed wide right. The Patriots got two points very late in the game when, as he was in punt formation, Beary, on the instructions from Ensor, took an intentional safety by running out of the end zone with 7.8 seconds left. Apopka followed with the free kick and Lake Brantley had one last gasp, a long incomplete pass.