Three things we learned from the Sanford Seminole vs. Jones kickoff classic

ORLANDO, Fla. – Some big-time football was played Thursday night at Booker T. Reddick Field on the campus of Jones High School were the defending Class 8A State Champion Sanford Seminole and the host Tigers battled it out to a 14-14 tie.

The atmosphere however felt very much like a true football game with two big teams battling it out with everything they had like it was playoff time despite it only being a preseason game where the athletes were shaking off the rust and setting rhythms were the important things and not what the score said on the scoreboard at the end of regulation.

With that said here are some takeaways we had from the game between two of the top teams in the Sunshine State.

COACH SPEAK – SANFORD SEMINOLE HC ERIC LODGE

DEFENSES SHINE ON THE NIGHT

The biggest thing that was evident was that both defenses were certainly ahead of the curve for this game as both teams were making plays on defense for both teams.

For Seminole, it was getting in the backfield and putting pressure on Jones’ projected starting quarterback Julian Calvez who sat out the second half of the game after getting twisted up on the first half on a dual sack from the Fighting Seminoles.

The sacks the host Tigers took during the night were a concern for head coach Elijah Williams but made no excuses that three of their offensive line starters were out for the game.

However, for Jones, there were positives of their own on defense with two interceptions made, one coming at the end of the game on a Seminole hail mary, as well as a few sacks, and a forced fumbled that led to a recovery.

If anything, defense is certainly going to be something that could carry both teams here throughout the 2021 season until both teams’ offenses find their full rhythm.

And speaking of offense…

OFFENSES NEED WORK BUT THERE WERE SOME BRIGHT MOMENTS

Both teams found that offense is going to be a struggle early on thanks to both teams’ defenses really getting after their respective offenses.

Matter of fact to tie back to the first part, Jones’ defense held Seminole’s offense to zero first downs in the first half which is something you wouldn’t expect from a team coming off a state championship season but having to replace an all-state quarterback and all-state wide receiver is not an easy challenge.

However, quarterback Luke Rucker who transferred from Oviedo to Seminole during the offseason did find his spark at times in the second half when he was able to hook up with wide receiver Goldie Lawrence for touchdowns of 18 and 23 yards respectfully as Rucker was able to get the offense moving downfield successfully. Both Rucker and Lawrence are junior and could be a dynamic duo on the field this season.

Jones’ Latravious Boyd found his way in the end zone for a one-yard touchdown near the end of the first quarter while Jayden Gillens returned a punt return for 70 yards late in the fourth quarter that would tie the game up for good.

COACH SPEAK – ORLANDO JONES HEAD COACH ELIJAH WILLIAMS

FULL CAPACITY

One of the biggest things we learned was not necessarily from those on the field, but those in the stands with the return of full attendance for games despite concerns surrounding the latest COVID-19 trends with the current Delta variant that is wreaking havoc on teams around the state.

The atmosphere which had the feel of a playoff game saw numerous fans joyous to be able to watch a football game again, many of who were forced to either watch games from home in 2020 via online methods or having to follow updates through social media throughout the season.

With not an empty seat left in the house, fans from both teams were rooting for their team any time a big play happened.

The biggest question in the end though is if having full capacity crowds will last all season? That remains to be seen, but for now, it seems schools are ready to take advantage to make up for lost revenue from last school year, which is certainly one of the biggest factors include