Photo by Juju Jean
Key Points
The Wekiva Mustangs suffered their seventh consecutive loss Friday night, falling 59-7 to the Evans Trojans at Mustang Field in a game that saw Evans score 44 first-half points.
Wekiva (2-7, 0-3 district) struggled offensively throughout the night, totaling just 59 yards while surrendering two safeties on mishandled snaps. Evans (5-3, 3-0 district) won its third straight game behind a six-touchdown performance from quarterback William Jackson.
The Trojans wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Charles Jacobs fielded the opening kickoff at the Evans 13-yard line, ran up the middle and bounced outside for an 87-yard touchdown return.
Wekiva’s first offensive possession ended in a safety after a pair of mishandled snaps, giving Evans a 9-0 advantage.
After the Mustang defense forced a turnover on downs, quarterback Dominick Sanguine was intercepted on Wekiva’s ensuing drive. Evans capitalized with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Trenton Hamilton, extending its lead to 16-0.
Wekiva found an opportunity to respond early in the second quarter after Evans committed two special teams mistakes. A roughing-the-punter penalty extended a Mustangs possession before a muffed punt on the following series gave Wekiva the ball at the Evans 17-yard line.
Despite a holding penalty pushing the Mustangs backward, Wekiva executed a trick play to reach the end zone.
Sanguine handed the ball to Landon Jerome, who transferred it to Dominique Walker running in the opposite direction. Walker rolled right and connected with Deandre Adams for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Jochrist Exantus converted the extra point, cutting the deficit to 16-7.
However, the Trojans immediately responded with a pair of touchdowns in a span of about 90 seconds.
On the first play of their next possession, Jackson found Jacobs wide open along the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Evans recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, setting up another Jackson touchdown pass, this time a 15-yard completion to Brian Dillard.
Wekiva continued to struggle moving the football, although Sanguine connected with Reshard Ricketts for a 14-yard completion on the Mustangs’ next possession.
Evans added two more touchdowns before halftime. Jackson connected with Jaydon Sweet for a 10-yard score and later found Dillard for a 39-yard touchdown. Successful two-point conversions following both scores gave the Trojans a 44-7 halftime lead.
The margin exceeding 35 points triggered a running clock for the second half, when Evans tacked on two more touchdowns.
Jackson led Evans offensively, completing 12 of 18 passes for 210 yards and six touchdowns. Jacobs finished with 80 receiving yards and two total touchdowns, while Dillard caught three passes for 55 yards and two scores.
Wekiva finished with 44 passing yards and 15 rushing yards. Sanguine completed two of four passes for 17 yards with an interception.
Following the game, Wekiva head coach Ashton Watts addressed the snapping issues and emphasized the importance of continuing to develop his young players.
“Some of those mistakes are expected, but, you know, you just keep coaching,” he said. “We don’t give up on guys.”
Watts also credited Evans’ talent and acknowledged Wekiva’s defensive mistakes.
“We just had some blunders coverage-wise, and they took advantage,” Watts said. “[Jackson] is gonna be special on the next level.”
The Mustangs will close the regular season next week when they host Apopka (4-5, 1-2 district) in the Mayor’s Cup on Senior Night. Festivities begin at 6 p.m., followed by kickoff at 7 p.m.
