Thunder strikes down on Seahawks

The Out-of-Door Academy defeated The Community School of Naples 28-12 in its district opener tonight.

The Thunder took a 7-0 lead on an 8-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Evan Wilson, capitalizing on a Seahawks fumble to open the game.

ODA extended its lead with 4:58 remaining in the second quarter when sophomore running back Demardre Patterson punched the ball in from four yards out.

Wilson then connected with senior tight end Jack Cannon, who hauled in three straight receptions, for a 3-yard touchdown, giving ODA a 21-0 lead heading into the locker room.

The Community School of Naples responded to open the second half when safety Casey Santos-Ocampo, intercepted Wilson and returned the ball to the ODA 45-yard line. The Seahawks found the end zone with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter when quarterback George Schmelzle connected with tight end Neal Defossez for a 7-yard strike.

The Thunder added another touchdown late in the third quarter when eighth-grade running back J.T. Fischer ran in from three yards out. It was Fischer’s first touchdown in an ODA uniform.

The Seahawks responded on their ensuing possession when running back Michael Schoeller ran 80 yards for the score, cutting ODA’s lead 16. But that would be as close as the first-year program would come to pulling off an upset.

ODA returns to district action next Friday versus Moore Haven.

For more photos and a complete story on tonight’s district game be sure to pick up the Sept. 15 issue of the East County Observer.