Dr. Phillips scores big win over Lake Mary in Game of the Week (GALLERY)

LAKE MARY — In the span of three plays, everything changed.

Midway through the fourth quarter on Friday night, Dr. Phillips was leading Lake Mary 21-17, but the Rams were driving. Lake Mary worked its way into the redzone and had second-and-goal from the two-yard line, figuring to score and go ahead.

That's when Dr. Phillips' Amo Louis — who had scored a defensive touchdown earlier in the night — recovered a forced fumble. Then, after a play that nearly saw the Panthers commit a safety, junior D.J. Charles came in as a fullback and broke through the Rams' defensive line and backfield. 99 yards — and a school record — later, Dr. Phillips was up 27-17 and on its way to a big victory by that same score.

“(Our team is) young and they’re just really, really resilient," head coach Rodney Wells said after his Panthers improved to 2-0. "They’re not very emotional — they don’t get too high on the highs or too low on the lows. … There were many times in that game that we could have got sad with a young team, could have just buckled. They just play and I like their enthusiasm and I like their toughness."

The night also saw touchdown runs from quarterback Marvin Washington and running back Alvin Bryant Jr. Bryant had a big night rushing the ball for the Panthers.

“He’s one of the fastest guys in the state so we’ve got to get it to him," Wells said. "He’s really shifty and has really good balance. He’s much stronger than he looks, he’s not just a speed back."

Although Wells pointed out that the defense will need some work and has to hone in on putting it all together, he noted that he has been impressed so far this season with a trio of sophomore cornerbacks — Tanner Ingle, Chance Bush and Braxton Clark. Ingle had an interception during Friday's game, his third of the young season.

“We’re very excited to have sophomores making plays like they are," Wells said. "It’s kind of rare. At Dr. Phillips you don’t really see sophomore taking the lead and making plays like that."

The Panthers will travel to take on West Orange on Sept. 11 in a renewal of the Ol' Orange Crate Rivalry.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].