The sound of team camaraderie, the smell of hot dogs on the grill, and the sight of fresh Mustang jerseys filled Dan Boggus Field on Friday as Tavares and Wekiva clashed in the annual preseason Kickoff Classic opening the 2026 football season.

Wekiva used a second-half shutout to emerge with a 14-13 comeback win over the Bulldogs, who were a 2025 Class 3A playoff team. While the win does not count toward Wekiva’s record, it was a welcome start to the season after a disappointing 1-9 campaign in 2025.

“We are here to show people that this is a new Wekiva,” said first-year head coach Ashton Watts, a former Ocoee High School and Marietta College standout. 

Wekiva got off to a slow start after the Bulldogs came out with a slow-and-steady run game in the first quarter. Led by Bulldog senior quarterback Tanner Williams, Tavares took an early 6-0 lead on a 40-yard touchdown run by sophomore Asa Thompson. 

The new-look Mustangs fought hard to respond, but early penalties, costly turnovers, and an offense trying to find its rhythm left Wekiva trailing 13-0 after the Bulldogs scored on another 40-yard touchdown run. 

Late in the first quarter, the Mustangs put together an impressive possession, including a 19-yard quarterback keeper from Dominick Sanguine and a 17-yard run by senior running back Landon Jerome. Sanguine capped off the drive early in the second quarter when he found senior receiver Reshard Ricketts in the end zone. A two-point conversion pass to Dominique Walker cut the gap to 13-8.

Despite being a preseason game, the contest carried mid-year energy. Tavares continued to rely heavily on its run game, with attempts from junior receiver Keijohn Fennell and senior Ashtyn Gunn.

Wekiva, meanwhile, began to find its rhythm on offense through the arm and feet of Sanguine. With five minutes left in the half, Sanguine dropped back and threw a tight spiral to Ricketts for a 79-yard touchdown pass, but the call was reversed for unsportsmanlike conduct on Wekiva. 

The second half showed a more focused and intentional Wekiva football team. Even after two interceptions to start the half, the Mustang defense stuffed the Bulldogs’ run game and allowed minimal yardage the rest of the way.

Thanks to the light feet of senior quarterback Sanguine, the Mustangs found an offensive groove late in the third quarter. Sanguine finished off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, giving Wekiva a 14-13 lead heading into the fourth. 

The Mustang defense did the rest, continuing to hold the Tavares running game at bay and notching a third straight scoreless quarter to secure the win.

“I am proud of the resiliency and fight from our boys at the end,” Watts said. 

Wekiva will take the field for its regular season opener next Friday at Mustangs look to continue showing that fight and resiliency next week in their home opener against the Cypress Creek Bears.