Football Friday

Top Performers
Braden River linebacker JoJo Louis picked off two passes and returned both for touchdowns in the Pirates’ 54-6 victory over Somerset Academy.

ODA wide receiver Austin Hoppe, left, scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, including an 80-yard run, to help give the Thunder its first win of the season.

Twitter Talk
Here’s what some fans and players were saying following the first week of the season.

“Great win boys! Thanks everyone for the support!”

“54-6!!!! Great game for the Pirates.”

“Hard fought game Mustangs. Way to battle. WE will build on this and play harder next week. #BeatBayshore.”

Game Changer
Blair Perry
Wide receiver and defensive back
Cardinal Mooney High

Perry scored on a 35-yard punt return with 1:15 left in regulation to propel Cardinal Mooney to a 20-13 come-from-behind victory over Admiral Farragut. The punt return, Perry’s second of the season, capped off a 20-point fourth quarter for the Cougars.

OBSERVER GAME OF THE WEEK
Sept. 12
Braden River vs. Southeast (7:30 p.m.)

+ Mustangs fall short in two overtimes
Lakewood Ranch made three-consecutive defense stands to force overtime, but the host Mustangs failed to reach the end zone in double overtime as it fell to Tampa Jesuit 27-24.

Lakewood quarterback Chad Rex connected with junior wide receiver Trevor Losada for a pair of touchdowns, including an 80-yard strike to tie the game at 14-14 with 2 minutes, 10 seconds left in the third quarter.

Rex also scored on a 10-yard run on the Mustangs’ opening possession in overtime. Patrick Atkins added a field goal in double overtime.

Daymon Murray intercepted Tampa Jesuit quarterback Trent Wessel in the end zone early in the fourth quarter to help force overtime, but the Tigers scored touchdowns on both of their overtime possessions.

“I was happy because our kids played really hard,” coach Mick Koczersut says. “It was anybody’s chance. We kept fighting, and that’s what we’ve been talking about, trying to finish things. It didn’t work out for us, but hopefully, from a lesson standpoint, we’ll keep talking about the finish and play hard all the way through. That’s going to make a difference down the season.”

Score Board
Week 2 // Sept. 5

Braden River 54
North Fort Myers 6

Tampa Jesuit 27
Lakewood Ranch 24

ODA 20
Citrus Park Christian 14

Cardinal Mooney 20
Admiral Farragut 13