Turnovers costly in Verot defeat
Three interceptions and a fumble on their first four possessions of the second half might have cost the Bishop Verot Vikings a victory Thursday night in their spring football classic against Port Charlotte.
A shanked punt deep in their own territory, however, proved fatal as Port Charlotte capitalized to take the lead en route to a 23-12 win at Vikings Stadium.
The punt in question set the Pirates up at Verot’s 23-yard line in the fourth quarter while trailing 12-9. Alwyn Laplas darted around the right end for 18 yards and the touchdown that put the Pirates in front 16-9 with time running out.
The Vikings got the ball back at their own 26, but the drive stalled three plays later at the 32.
Verot’s punt backed the Pirates up at their won 20-yard line, but the Vikings’ defense could not hold. Laplas again took the ball the final 13 yards for a touchdown to seal the win with a minute remaining.
“I saw some good things tonight,” said Vikings coach Phil Dorn. “Obviously, we have a lot of work to do. For three quarters we played competitive football and our young guys did good things in the second quarter. The short punt near the end set them up and that was a lot to overcome in a short time. We will improve on those things and become a good football team before the fall.”
Junior quarterback Jake Kistel returns to guide the offense and almost singlehandedly carried the Vikings to their first touchdown in the opening quarter.
After the Pirates drove 69 yards to the Verot 11 and a field goal on their first possession, Kistel led the Vikings on a 69-yard scoring drive. Kistel ran for 33 yards on three carries and completed three passes for 27 yards. Kistel ran up the gut for the final eight yards and the score. Maxx Moore kicked the PAT for a 7-3 lead.
On just three first-half possessions, the Vikings scored 10 points to hold a 10-9 lead at halftime. Even backup quarterback Danny Foy, a sophomore, led the Vikings down the field in near flawless fashion. That drive ended in Moore’s 37-yard field goal.
“Foy did a nice job and showed a lot of good things,” said Dorn.
Kistel finished with 80 yards rushing on nine carries and was 8-of-16 passing for 95 yards with three interceptions. Foy was 2-of-4 passing for 29 yards.
Matt Brewer was on the receiving end of five passes for 63 yards to lead all receivers.
“I’m looking forward to these guys improving,” said Dorn. “We made some strides, which we will get back to through the summer.”
Pt. Charlotte3 6 0 14 – 23
Bishop Verot7 3 2 0 – 12
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
PC – FG, Ashley 28.
BV – Kistel 8 run (Moore kick).
Second Quarter
PC – Banks 3 run (kick failed).
BV – FG, Moore 37.
Third Quarter
BV – Safety, Grant (tackled Wheeler in end zone).
Fourth Quarter
PC – Laplas 18 run (Ashley kick).
PC – Laplas 13 run (Ashley kick).