Football: Defense, kicker shine for Knights in spring game

ORLANDO Defense and special teams starred for the Ocoee football team in its spring game May 20 at Orlando’s University High.

The Knights, who had been defeated by the Cougars 14-7 in their 2015 spring game, shutout the home team this time around en route to a 6-0 victory. Kicker Candido Worrell converted field goal attempts in the second and fourth quarters to give Ocoee its six points.

The highlight of the night was the Knights defense’s ability to get into the University backfield and cause trouble, with Lyston Barber leading the way on that front. 

Coach Ben Bullock said afterward that he observed several area where his team can continue to improve but that, overall, he was pleased with the team’s spring season in its entirety.

“The vibe, the energy from guys in practice, is improving,” Bullock said. “We got out here today and tested some of them in a live situation and we saw that we’ve got a long way to go. … The guys seem to understand what we’re doing and what’s expected.

“We’re taking a step in the right direction.”

The Ocoee offense showed signs of promise with rising junior Myles Holder taking the majority of the snaps for the Knights. After Holder only got a glimpse of the field as a sophomore, Bullock said he was impressed with much of what he saw from the team’s presumptive starter for the fall.

“For a guy who hasn’t played more than a few plays in a game before this, (Holder) responded pretty well,” Bullock said.

Junior varsity quarterback Jeremiah Fails played during the fourth quarter, when junior varsity players took the field, and looked impressive in completing a few passes to set up the second field goal by Worrell.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].