Ocoee Knights drop rivalry game to Wekiva

Competing in the same Class 7A district continues to bring an added dimension to the Ocoee-Wekiva varsity football rivalry.

The Knights and Mustangs met for the eighth time overall Thursday night – the second since the programs became 7A-4 members – and it was Wekiva that kept its state-playoff hopes alive with a 36-0 road victory.

The Mustangs relied on the big play in handing Ocoee (1-7, 1-4) its fourth consecutive defeat since coming off a bye week. Wekiva, which now holds a 5-3 series edge dating back to 2007, led 20-0 at halftime thanks to three offensive touchdowns covering 60 or more yards. Darrion Williams caught a wide receiver screen from quarterback Trey McGee and ran 74 yards to the end zone on Wekiva’s second play from scrimmage, giving the Mustangs a 6-0 lead with 9:16 remaining in the first quarter. Jarvis Scott’s 60-yard touchdown run represented a one-play drive midway through the second quarter, and a Dante Thomas interception set up Scott’s 72-yard TD run with 2:48 left before halftime.

Wekiva received the second-half kickoff and drove 55 yards before missing a 32-yard field goal. However, Williams returned a punt deep into Ocoee territory and that set up McGee’s 18-yard touchdown pass to James Zackery for a 26-0 advantage. Jaylon Fair’s fumble recovery with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter led to a made 42-yard field goal, and Wekiva (6-2, 4-1) capped the scoring on McGee’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Williams with 11:34 left.

The Knights will look to conclude their district schedule on a positive note next Friday (Oct. 31) at East Ridge High School.

Ocoee opened 7A-4 play with a win over Lake Howell and competitive losses to East River and district champion Oak Ridge, but it has been outscored 86-6 by Winter Springs and Wekiva in the past two weeks.