Winter Park bounces back to thrash Lake Nona

Winter Park (1-0) bounced back from their preseason loss with a big win over Lake Nona (0-1) on Friday. The 44-21 rout came on a big defensive effort from the Wildcats, who forced eight turnovers in the game to hand the ball back to the Winter Park offense.

Four interceptions and four fumbles, all recovered by the Wildcats, made up for some misfires in the Winter Park offense and gave them second chances within scoring range to help keep up with the Lions.

That helped a lot considering Lake Nona quarterback Tucker Israel threw for 287 yards in the game, helping personally engineer all three of the Lions’ touchdowns.

But those three touchdowns were all part of a failed comeback after the Wildcats leapt out to a 24-0 lead early in the game. By the end of the first quarter they already had enough for the decisive margin of victory, thanks to Rafael Lopes, who would rack up four touchdowns on the ground. Lopes would also force a fumble in that game.

Winter Park’s rookie starting quarterback J.P. Colton was more of an option player in the game, throwing a single TD pass but picking up another score on the ground en route to 92 yards rushing.

The Wildcats hit the road this Friday to face East River (1-0), which blasted Cypress Creek 49-6 last week. That game kicks off at 7 p.m.

Edgewater

A 16-7 loss to Evans altered the Eagles’ trajectory after their kickoff win against Winter Park. It was yet another low scoring game for Edgewater (0-1), which has had trouble mobilizing its offense beyond a touchdown so far.

The Eagles will host the Wekiva Mustangs (1-0), who are coming off a 27-0 blasting of Jones last week to start the season. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Lake Howell

The Silver Hawks (0-1) couldn’t capitalize on their trouncing of St. Cloud in their kickoff game, faltering badly against Lake Mary in a 57-14 loss.

Garrett Kruczek threw for 165 yards for the Silver Hawks, who grabbed two touchdowns in the game, but threw two interceptions in the process. Meanwhile the Silver Hawks’ defense gave up seven touchdowns after their special teams squad fumbled a punt early and let the Rams into the end zone.

The Hawks hit the road for Hagerty (0-1) on Friday, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. The Huskies narrowly lost to Lake Brantley last week.

Trinity Prep

They took down Windermere Prep in their preseason kickoff Aug. 23, but in their first regular season game the Saints (0-1) couldn’t find the momentum to overcome Crescent City. They fell 48-36 in an offensive slugfest last week.

They’ll get to stay at home this week for their third game of a six-game homestand, facing Father Lopez (0-1), which fell 22-13 to Holy Trinity Episcopal last week. That game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday.