Saturday Morning Quarterback: Week Two report

Here are the scores from tonight's varsity football games (coverage area programs in bold):

Game of the Week: Dr. Phillips 43, Olympia 10

State-ranked Dr. Phillips overcame persistent rainfall — and a gutsy effort by host Olympia — to remain undefeated Friday with a 43-10 Metro Conference West Division victory. 

Ethan Shafer kicked a 24-yard field goal late in the first quarter to open the scoring and extend DP’s school-record string of consecutive games without being shutout to 100. Emare Hogan, Alvin Bryant and Daquan Isom scored first-half touchdowns as the Panthers built a 23-3 halftime lead and Jaylon Hamer, Jonathan Pollock (interception return) and Mike Macon added scores during a 6:19 span of the third quarter. 

Dr. Phillips (2-0) next travels to Seminole on Sept. 12, while Olympia (0-1) is on the road the same day at Freedom.

— Chris Mayer, Contributing writer

West Orange 43, Freedom 6

After taking just a 15-6 lead into the half, the heavily-favored West Orange Warriors (2-0) outscored Freedom (0-2) 28-0 the rest of the way for a 43-6 victory.

While Warriors like running back Dexter Williams, who scored multiple rushing touchdowns, and receiver Eddie McDoom, who scored a touchdown and had several big catches, had big games, the way the second half went for West Orange could really be summed up in one play. 

Facing third-and-long from his own one-yard-line, Warriors quarterback Woody Barrett took a snap and dropped back into his own end zone. Under pressure, he scrambled and fumbled the football. Somehow, Barrett recovered his own fumble, discovered a seam in the defense and ran it more than 100 yards across the field for a touchdown.

West Orange coach Bob Head wouldn’t take credit for that particular scoring drive after, but did say he was especially pleased with the way his program played in the third quarter. Dating back to the Warriors’ spring game against Timber Creek, West Orange had been losing the third quarter each week before outscoring the Patriots 21-0 in the period last night.

“That’s one thing we really stressed this week is that we really wanted to win the third quarter,” Head said, adding that his defense also looked improved this week. “I thought we did a better job tackling … we didn’t stay blocked.”

The Warriors next game is at home on Sept. 12 against Oak Ridge (2-0).

University 35, Ocoee 0

Against a very-good Cougars (2-0) team, the Knights’ offense continues to struggle to put together scoring drives. Ocoee (0-2) has yet to find the scoreboard this season through the first two weeks. The Knights’ early season schedule won’t get any easier next week, with Ocoee heading to Winter Park to take on the Wildcats on Sept. 12.

Windermere Prep 55, Keswick Christian 14

The Lakers traveled across the state to St. Petersburg to play what would become their first game thanks to a cancellation a week ago. Whatever pent-up football-energy Windermere Prep held over from its cancelled game against Mount Dora Bible it must have taken out on Keswick Christian (1-1, 1-1 in division) as the Lakers (1-0, 1-0 in division) sprinted to a 55-14 win on the road.

Junior quarterback Parker Davis compiled 320 total yards, completing 9-of-11 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns to pair with two rushing touchdowns.

Windermere Prep will play its first home game on Sept. 12 against Seffner Christian.

Orlando Christian Prep 40, Legacy Charter 6

After an upset-victory over Faith Chrisitan to open the season, the Eagles (1-1, 1-1 in division) stumbled against Orlando Christian Prep, 40-6. The Warriors (2-0, 2-0 in division) have outscored opponents 104-6 through two weeks.

Legacy will be off on Sept. 12 and travel to Merritt Island Christian on Sept. 19.

Saturday’s game:

Central Florida Christian Academy 58, Merritt Island Christian 0

Eagles (2-0) led by more than 30 after one quarter and 48-0 at the half — a running clock in the second half limited the damage.

CFCA coach Michael Bonneville said blowout wins in the first two weeks for his program will help build confidence but that they will have tough tasks ahead, starting with a home game against International Community School (0-2) on Sept. 12.

Thursday’s game:

The First Academy 45, Foundation Academy 8

Rough start to the season for the Lions (0-2) continues as they fell hard on Thursday at Walker Field to the visiting Royals (1-1), 45-8.

The good news for Foundation, which has had to deal with not having its full roster at its disposal for either game due to disciplinary issues, is that there is ample time before district games against Agape Christian and Victory Christian to right the ship. But the Lions will have to start by tightening up things on defense — Foundation has allowed more than 40 points in each regular season game.

The Lions will travel to Carrollwood Day on Sept. 12.