JACKSONVILLE — Friday night in the Ship Yard, the defending 8A champion Apopka Blue Darters visited the First Coast Buccaneers and left the same way they entered … as winners. The score at the end of the night was 42-20 in Apopka’s favor.
The story line leading up was the classic tale of defense versus offense. First Coast boasted the number two defense in the “Gateway” conference while Apopka is well known for its scoring in the central Florida area.
Both teams opened on their first possession driving the length of the field but penalties stalled the drives. But the Blue Darters quick-tempo offense hit its stride on their second drive. Only taking three plays over 75 yards, Robert Thomas scored on a 10 yard run for the Darters with 7:52 left in the first quarter.
After yet another punt from the First Coast special teams unit the Blue Darters went 11 plays and scored again. This time a quick hitter up the middle to J.J. Simmons. That put the game at 14-0 with less than 2:00 to play in the quarter.
After nearly blocking the previous two punts Apopka capitalized and blocked a first quarter punt. Following a long run by Christian Velazquez the Darter offense turned to Robert Thomas again. He scored on a 13 yard carry around the right side. This pushed the score to 21-0 Apopka up at the close of the first quarter.
Dropped passes plagued First Coast all first half as quarterback Deandre Johnson went 4 of 11 in the first half. He also had an interception in the first quarter and a lost fumble to close the half as the Buccaneers were driving the field.
At the half the Blue Darters held on to their 21 point margin.
“We knew it would be tough to stop them but in the end we can’t spot them a 21 point lead. Our defense worked their butts off and so did the offense so I’m proud. Some said we didn’t belong in 8A but tonight showed we can hang. Just more work to be done though to get where we want to be,” said Marty Lee, the Buccaneers head coach.
After the break, First Coast seemed determined to get on the right track. They managed to drive the length of the field yet again but another Johnson turnover in the redzone killed the drive.
Both teams struggled to score early in the third quarter due to rainfall. First Coast continued to drop passes while the Apopka offense suffered from bad snap after bad snap that put them behind the chains.
But with 5:10 left in the quarter Apopka scored on the ground with a Robert Thomas run. Thomas ran in three scores for the Blue Darters on the night.
Down 28 points the Buccaneers pulled together a drive that netted them their first score of the night. Deandre Johnson jumped the pile at the one yard line to go in with 2:10 left in the third.
But not soon after Apopka turned back around and drove the field in four plays after a 67 yard kickoff return. This time it was a run in by fullback Christian Velazquez. The score came with 1:12 left in the third quarter. Apopka went on to close and lead First Coast 35-7 going into the last quarter.
After an exchange of possessions the Buccaneers caught a break when Johnson avoided defenders and found Dakari Matthews 40 yards down field for a touchdown jump ball. Following the score the Buccaneer defense forced a fumble to get the ball back to the offense.
With 7:43 left in the last quarter the Buccaneers orchestrated a screen pass that went 67 yards and for a score. But the play would later be called back for holding. Immediately after the call back First Coast went on to turnover the ball over again.
This marked their fifth of the night.
Apopka closed the game with a 7 play drive capped off by Chandler Cox with a 2 yard run score. First Coast would also score to end the game.
“We knew what our game plan was for the night and we executed it. At this point I don’t care how we get it done as long as we just get it done. Now we have to refocus and turn our attention to the next opponent so we can move on again,” said Apopka head coach Rick Darlington.
Next up for the defending class 8A champion Apopka Blue Darters will be a state semifinal date with Tampa Plant next week.
