Rushing for 273 yards, the biggest output of the season, the Apopka Blue Darters defeated the Ocoee Knights, 20-10, Friday, September 16, before about 2,700 people at Roger Williams Field. Although the Blue Darters (4-0) got off to a quick start when Daniel Lewis scampered 61 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game, Apopka led just 6-3 at halftime over the first-year team.

However, the Darters scored two touchdowns on the first two possessions of the third quarter and had their best offensive showing of the season over the final two periods. “I thought we played better offensively in the second half,” Apopka head coach Ty Ensor said.
Ocoee (0-4) showed no quit, controlling the clock for most of the first half, allowing Apopka just 13 offensive plays in the first two periods. The Knights managed just a field goal over that time -- a 29-yarder by J.T. Land -- but the young Knights stayed within one score of the Blue Darters until the third period.

An Ocoee miscue gave the Blue Darters an easy scoring opportunity early in the third quarter when a high snap eluded the Ocoee punter, giving the Blue Darters a first-and-goal from the Knights’ 2 yard line. Quarterback Cedric Bryant scored on the next play and Robert Beary’s extra point gave the Darters a seemingly comfortable 13-3 lead.

But, on Ocoee’s next play, quarterback Rickeem Jackson launched a perfect strike to wide receiver Leronte Hubbard, who outran the Apopka secondary for a 74-yard touchdown. Land’s extra point pulled the Knights to within 13-10 with 9:39 remaining in the third quarter.

Apopka responded with its best offensive drive of the game and, perhaps, of the season. The Blue Darters covered 68 yards in seven plays as Bryant, on a fourth-and-four, found a wide-open seam and scooted 30 yards for the touchdown. Beary’s extra point would give Apopka the final 20-10 score.

Both teams threatened to score again, but each fumbled inside the opponent’s 10 yard line, ending the scoring chance.

Lewis led all runners with 106 yards and a touchdown on just five rushes while Apopka’s top ballcarrier, Steven Joseph, had 85 yards on 14 attempts. For the season, Joseph has rushed for 453 yards and 2 touchdowns on 63 attempts. He is averaging 7.2 yards per rush.