Vinnie Cammarano
Key Points
The Apopka Blue Darters defeated the Horizon Hawks 28-7 on Friday night for their second straight win after opening the season with three losses.
The Blue Darters improved to 2-3, while Horizon fell to 2-3.
Apopka’s defense forced three turnovers.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Blue Darters hit Horizon with back-to-back touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Kai Goodling capped off a successful scoring drive, scoring on a 1-yard run to put the Blue Darters up 7-0. On the ensuing drive, senior linebacker Le’melle Griffin recovered a Horizon fumble, giving Apopka the ball inside Horizon territory. This would be the first of three turnovers the Blue Darters forced.
Goodling and the offense wasted no time capitalizing on the Horizon mistake. He connected with senior wide receiver Aiden Bolden on a 33-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0. Bolden darted in and out of Horizon defenders, stumbling his way into the end zone to put his team ahead by two touchdowns midway through the second quarter.
The third quarter started and showed more of the same. Apopka’s defense dominated Horizon and was able to extend its lead late in the quarter. Junior running back Jakyvion Kemp scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to extend Apopka’s lead to 21-0 late in the quarter.
Goodling continued his domination with his second passing touchdown of the game. After the Blue Darters forced their second turnover of the game, on an interception, Goodling connected with sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Laster in stride on a 23-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-0 early in the fourth quarter.
After this score, Apopka junior defensive back David Wimberly forced the third and final turnover for his dominant defensive unit, intercepting a pass and eliminating any chance at Horizon gaining momentum.
The Hawks added a late touchdown on a 10-yard pass to avoid the shutout, which was the only blemish from a dominant night for the Blue Darters’ defense.
Apopka will look to win its third straight game at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 when it travels to Sanford to take on the Seminole Seminoles.
