Wolfpack smashes Vikings 35-7
In the first District 3A-11 game for both teams, South Fort Myers used a strong offensive showing in the first half to build a large lead and defeat Bishop Verot 35-7 Thursday night.
The start of the game was delayed 10 minutes because of lightning, but as the game began South Fort Myers took little time to score. They went 89 yards in three plays, capped off by a 48-yard strike from Dallas Crawford to Jari McMiller. The whole drive took only 32 seconds off the clock.
After that quick score, the rest of the first quarter turned into a defensive struggle. Both teams had trouble moving the ball, illustrated by the teams exchanging nine punts in the first half.
The second quarter seemed to belong to the Wolfpack. They continued to stop Verot, and scored two touchdowns within five minutes of each other. The Vikings did not help themselves by losing two fumbles in the first half, and another in the second.
Late in the quarter, Vikings punter Maxx Moore put South back at their 9-yard line. After Terrell Neal was tackled for a seven-yard loss, the Vikings thought they might get a safety or at least get the ball back in good field position with a chance to score. However, on third-and-15, Crawford ran 20 yards for a first down.
The Wolfpack continued to drive with strong passing and running. Finally, Crawford hit Sammy Watkins in the corner of the end zone from two yards out with only eight seconds left in the half. That was the second time they had connected for a touchdown, and really was a back-breaker for the Vikings. Instead of scoring themselves, they were scored upon.
Crawford racked up big yardage in the first half, accounting for almost 300 yards in total offense. He was instrumental in all four first-half South scores, throwing for three touchdowns and running for the fourth one. Crawford ended up with 112 yards rushing and 247 yards passing for the game.
“We wanted to contain their speed in the first half,” said Vikings coach Phil Dorn. “Obviously, if we get that done, the game would have had a different tone. We made some mistakes out there, and you cannot do that against a good team like South.”
“They were a very good football team, so I’m not disappointed with my guys.” he said.
The Vikings didn’t roll over and play dead. In fact, they played the Wolfpack even in the second half. They started their first drive in the third quarter by putting together a couple of first downs, but then stalled at the South 37.
South took over on downs, but were stopped by Verot.
The Vikings took over again and marched down the field. With the ball at the Wolfpack 6, Jake Kistel faked a hand-off to his running back and hid the ball for a long time. Finally, Forrest Campbell broke open on the left side, and Kistel hit him with the touchdown pass.
Wolfpack coach Grant Redhead said, “I was pleased with the way we played in the first half, but we need to finish well. We came out ready to play, but then got complacent in the second half.”
The Wolfpack are now 4-0, but Redhead said, “We cannot be happy with four wins. We have to take one game at a time.”
Next week, South hosts Gulf Coast while Verot hosts Cardinal Mooney.
Bishop Verot 0 0 7 0 – 7
S. Fort Myers 7 21 0 7 – 35
First Quarter
SFM – Jari McMiller 48 pass from Dallas Crawford (Elias Mayer kick)
Second Quarter
SFM – Crawford 23 run (Mayer kick)
SFM – Sammy Watkins 25 pass from Crawford (Mayer kick)
SFM – Watkins 2 pass from Crawford (Mayer kick)
Third Quarter
BV – Forrest Campbell 6 pass from Jake Kistel (Maxx Moore kick)
Fourth Quarter
SFM – Anthony Debonis 3 run (Mayer kick)