Dominating from the opening kickoff, the Apopka Blue Darters played their best game of the season Thursday, October 13, whipping the Olympia Titans, 29-0, in a District 6A-4 and Metro Conference game at Olympia’s field. “We needed this win,” Apopka head coach Ty Ensor said. “The kids were ready to play.”

And, that was apparent from the start as Derrick Rouse returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. With Robert Beary’s extra point, the Darters led, 7-0, just 16 seconds into the contest. But, it only got better for the Blue Darters as Beary’s ensuing kickoff was intentionally kicked high and short to prevent a long runback. Not only did it prevent a long runback, but Olympia’s return people allowed the ball to hit the ground and Apopka’s Javaris Bolden recovered the free kick on the Olympia 33 yard line.

After a five-yard penalty against the Darters, Bolden ran 23 yards on first down. Apopka scored four plays later as Steven Joseph ran it in from the 3 with 9:19 remaining in the first period. Even though the extra point was blocked, Apopka led 13-0 when its defense stepped on the field for the first time in the game. “I thought it was definitely the best game we’ve played all year,” Ensor said. “It was a good, overall effort on defense, and our offensive line played real well tonight.”

And, it was evident in the statistics as the Blue Darters rushed for 258 yards on 41 attempts. Apopka even completed 2-of-3 passes for 25 yards. As he has all season, Joseph led the Darters in rushing with 129 yards and the touchdown on 20 carries. Apopka had just one turnover and that was late. The Darters, plagued with penalties earlier in the season, committed just five for 36 yards.

Defensively, Apopka was just as dominant, allowing the Titans only 80 yards rushing on 21 attempts, and 29 of those were late in the game when the Darters were substituting liberally. Olympia quarterback Jeff Walters was harassed all game, completing just 9-of-25 for 56 yards. Apopka picked off two of Walters’ passes.

The victory gave Apopka a 3-0 district record, keeping the Darters even with East Ridge for the district lead.
After giving up just one first down on Olympia’s first possession, the Apopka defense forced a punt, giving the Blue Darters the ball at the Apopka 36.

Joseph began the drive with five straight carries to the Olympia 20 yard line before Nico Stanley carried it twice to the Titans’ 4, where Cedric Bryant, sharing quarterback duties with Andy Summerlin, ran wide left for the touchdown. Beary added the extra point to give the Blue Darters a 20-0 lead with just 8:40 gone in the game. Apopka’s next possession produced another touchdown after the Blue Darters stopped the Titans on a fourth-and-3 from the Apopka 24 yard line. Defensive lineman Tim Davis nailed Olympia fullback Michael Cooper for a three-yard loss, handing the ball over to the Apopka offense at the Darters’ 27.

Once again, the Darters drove quickly down the field, ripping off runs of 17 and 13 before Summerlin hit Rouse with a 19-yard pass play to get the ball down to the Olympia 20. On third-and-5 from the Olympia 15, even a good play by the Titans went the Darters’ way as Summerlin’s arm was hit as he threw the ball, but it fluttered right into the hands of Daniel Lewis for a six-yard gain and an Apopka first down on the Olympia 9 yard line.

Then, on fourth-and-goal from the 1, the Darters went to Stanley and the power runner bulled over for the touchdown. A two-point conversion pass failed, but Apopka led, 26-0, with 4:33 left in the first half. The scoring trend continued for Apopka on its first possession of the third period when the Darters drove from the Olympia 47 to the 5 before stalling. Beary came on to kick a 22-yard field goal and Apopka led, 29-0, with 2:57 left in the third quarter.

The drive took 5:13 off the clock and even included a fumblerooskie play. Center Adam Bradford’s run gained no yardage for Apopka.
With Apopka leading comfortably, Olympia got its best scoring chance of the game by returning the ensuing kickoff to the Apopka 35. But, the Titans gained just 12 yards before stalling and Matt James’ 40 yard field goal attempt fell short.