Battle of the unbeatens

Vanguard rolls over unbeaten West Port, Dunnellon continues to dominate in week three

Three area teams entered last week’s games undefeated, but just two walked away with unblemished records by the time the final whistle blew.

Unbeaten Vanguard crushed any hopes West Port had for a perfect season with a 43-6 thrashing of the Wolfpack, and Dunnellon continued its early season roll with a 32-8 drubbing of winless North Marion, which continues its surprising slide after entering the year ranked in the top 60 in the state.

Vanguard 43, West Port 6

Starting off 2-0, West Port had high hopes for their 2020 season but ran into a juggernaut in Vanguard Friday night.

It looked like the game would be a defensive struggle, as both teams put up zeroes in the first quarter and entered the second period knotted at 0. The second quarter started much like the first, as both teams committed turnovers but were unable to capitalize. With roughly 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Vanguard’s Tyrell Randall broke off a long run into the red zone, and Alexander Law put the Knights on the board with a one-yard plunge. Then, with under a minute to go in the second quarter, Law completed a 35-yard pass to Trevonte Rucker for a touchdown as the Knights ended the second up 14-0.

Vanguard’s defense began to make its mark in the second half as Randall came up with a big interception to put the Knights on West Port’s 44-yard line. He then caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Law, and Law followed that with a run for a two-point conversion.

Vanguard rolled from there. Rucker took a West Port punt 60 yards for a touchdown to put the Knights up 29-0. 

With just four minutes to play in the game, West Port finally put 6 on the board with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Chaz Siddall to Lenard Hill, but the two-point conversion attempt failed. Vanguard put the nail in West Port’s coffin when Randall took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a score. Vanguard’s Riley Smith finished the scoring by scooping up a West Port fumble and running it back for 6.

Dunnellon 32, North Marion 8

Facing 0-2 North Marion, Dunnellon overwhelmed its opponent on both sides of the ball for the third week in a row.

Both teams failed to score until the end of the first quarter, when Dunnellon’s Le’Var Fitzpatrick ran it in from four yards out and Brody Luckey ran in the two-point conversion. 

Over the next three quarters Dunnellon would go on to put another 24 points on the board to North Marion’s 8.  The Tigers would roll up 303 yards of offense and their defense was again stout, holding the Colts to just 93 for the game.

Dunnellon was able to rely on the combined effort of quarterback Trent Townsend, who threw for 89 yards, with Julius Gardner and Christiaan Fashaw being his lead receivers.  Dunnellon’s offense didn’t stop with passing, as the Tigers rushed for a total of 211 yards, led by Brody Luckey (57 yards), Demetrius Mccants (32 yards) and C. Fashaw (31 yards). On the other side of the ball Jermain Fashaw lead the defense with seven tackles.

Lake Weir 18, Belleview 6

After getting pummeled by Dunnellon in their season opener and then using their bye in week two to regroup, Lake Weir was relieved to get a W in week three. Although Belleview had 126 rushing yards on the night, with Darryl Minor leading the pack with 50, the Rattlers passing game continues to struggle. At the end of the night, Lake Weir walked away with the close victory over Belleview, improving to 1-1. Belleview remained winless at 0-3. 

This Week’s Matchups:

Entering week 4, Forest coming off a bye in week three, looks to improve to 2-1, as they host winless Belleview.   

Lake Weir, at 1-1, will travel to West Port to take on the Wolfpack. West Port, coming of a trouncing by Vanguard, hopes to walk away with a W and gain momentum for their game against Forest in week five. Meanwhile, Lake Weir, following their victory over Belleview, hopes to move to 2-1.   

Vanguard, at 2-0, will face off against North Marion, who is currently 0-3. The Knights will likely use this week to perfect the details of their game and minimize errors, as they look ahead to a big matchup with undefeated Dunnellon in week five.

Dunnellon, who has yet to be truly challenged, has a bye. The Tigers will use the week off to prepare for Vanguard on Oct. 23.

Private School Action

Trinity Catholic 7, Bolles 24

Trinity Catholic made the daunting trip to Jacksonville on Oct. 9. Neither team was able to capitalize on possessions in the first quarter. In the second period, Bolles punted to TC, but the Celtics turned over the ball on downs and Bolles took advantage and put 7 on the board with a rushing touchdown and point after kick. 

Entering the third quarter, the Celtics kicked off to Bolles, which marched down the field and added seven to the board with a touchdown pass and PAT to go up 14-0.  With under a minute remaining in the third quarter, Bolles punched the ball in the end zone for another touchdown, then got the scoring going in the fourth with a field goal.

But the Celtics answered back with a rushing touchdown by T.J. Snowden, making the score 24-6. A successful PAT put an additional point on the board for TC. TC threatened on its next possession with a 31-yard reception by Omarea James, but threw an interception to end the drive and the game.   

It doesn’t get any easier for TC this week as they make a trip back to Jacksonville to take on undefeated Sandalwood. 

Ocala Christian 38, First Academy 7

After four straight losses to start the season, Ocala Christian was able to walk away with a W following their matchup against First Academy on Oct. 9.  OCA scored 18 points in the first half followed by 20 in the second.  First Academy was unable to answer until they put 7 on the board in the fourth. 

Ocala Christian will play at home against Seven Rivers on Oct. 16. Seven Rivers’ record is 1-3. 

St. John

St. John unfortunately this year has only been able to play one regular season game to date.   They fell to Cedar Creek on Sept. 9 and were forced to forfeit to Eagle’s View on Oct. 2, due to not enough players. They take on Halifax Friday.