Comeback attempt falls short for West Orange at Wekiva -- Observer Preps

Despite forcing a turnover with 1:17 left in the game that gave them a chance to tie, the West Orange Warriors (2-3, 0-1) were unable to complete their comeback, as they fell to the Wekiva Mustangs (4-1, 1-0) 24-17 in the district opener for both teams.

“I love our boys — they never stop fighting.” said Warriors coach Bob Head on his team's performance. “They got a big heart, they represent our school and city of Winter Garden to the best of their ability. I’m proud of them — I just wish that we could find a way to win these close games.”

After falling behind 14-0 on a two yard touchdown run from Solomon Edgerton with 11:05 remaining in the second quarter, the Warriors responded with a 42 yard run for a touchdown from sophomore quarterback Brenden Cyr.

West Orange would go into halftime trailing 17-7, following a field goal from the Mustangs as time expired in the first half.

The Warriors would trim Wekiva’s lead back down to seven on a field goal from Andrew Brickweg with 7:40 remaining in the third quarter, but the Mustangs would respond on the ensuing possession with a 75-yard run from Brandon Williams which set up a three-yard touchdown run from Edgerton.

West Orange went into the fourth quarter down 24-10.

With 8:41 left in the fourth quarter, Aric Horne blocked a punt to set the Warriors up at the Mustangs' 25 yard line. Following a fourth down conversion, Cyr connected with Darrell Harding for a touchdown to trim Wekiva’s lead to 24-17 with 6:21 remaining in the game.

The Mustangs drove inside West Orange’s five-yard line with 1:17 left in the game’s final stanza, but Wekiva was unable to put the game away as a bad snap on the field goal attempt gave the ball back to the Warriors with a chance to tie.

West Orange drove to the 50-yard line by wave of two personal fouls on the Mustangs, but the Warriors were unable to complete the comeback as a Hail Mary attempt was intercepted by Jarvis Ware to seal the win for Wekiva.

Cyr threw and ran for both touchdowns for West Orange.

West Orange will look to bounce back on October 6 it takes on the Jones Tigers (4-1, 1-0), at Camping World Stadium.

“We gotta eliminate our mistakes,” said Head on what his team needs to improve against the Tigers. “We had some turnovers, we just gotta get everything cleaned up.”