VERO BEACH — Fighting Indian football fans packed the Citrus Bowl Friday night to support Vero Beach High School and its homecoming festivities for 2013. A week of homecoming events including a screen on the green movie night at the Citrus Bowl, the annual homecoming parade, bonfire, and a pep rally all led the 12th man to Friday night’s matchup between Vero Beach and East Lee High.
Many love the football atmosphere in Vero Beach but Homecoming week is a special night.
The Fighting Indians returned to the field after suffering their first loss of the season to district opponents Ft. Pierce Central last week. Coaches at the beginning of the game commented that the team looked flat during warm-ups and alluded to the correlation of a week packed with activities may have taken its toll on some of the players.
The Vero Beach offense just didn’t look like itself in the opening quarter of the game. Vero Beach quarterback Dalton Stokes was picked off twice in the first quarter. Once with 4:29 left in the first quarter, and on the final play of the first quarter when Jaguar senior Antwan Carter jumped the rout of Stokes’ intended receiver and ran it in for the first score of the game.
Vero Beach put things together offensively in the second quarter scoring three touchdowns before halftime. Stokes threw two touchdowns to Vero Beach receiver Javonte Bagley and on a shuffle pass to wide receiver Jimmy Williamson. Vero kicker Jason Rivas made two of three extra points and Vero led at the half 20 – 7.
The halftime ceremonies were picture perfect as members of the 2013 Homecoming Court were escorted onto the field by their friends and family. The 2012 Vero Beach Homecoming Queen, Allie Scheppers, was in attendance to crown the 2013 queen.
“It is such an honor to come back and I’m so excited to be back at Vero Beach High School for this year’s Homecoming,” Scheppers said.
Vero Beach cheerleader Abby Barnhart was announced as the 2013Homecoming Queen and the thousands in attendance went wild.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Barnhart said. “It’s also great because Allie and I are friends and for her to present me with the crown is an incredible experience. I’m still shaking.”
Ryan Fink was elected as the King of Homecoming and the two made a picturesque pair. Schepers said she felt overwhelmed when she was elected Homecoming Queen a year ago.
“It was so emotional for me when I won and it’s great to come back and see Abby win is great,” Schepers said. “It’s nice to know that the people who vote for truly good people and it says a lot about the tradition of the school. It’s hard to believe that the students put Homecoming together but they do a great job.”
Vero Beach scored twice in the third quarter: Stokes scored on a quarterback keeper with 7:54 left to go. Then, Stokes hit Vero running back Roosevelt Spruill on an 8-yard touchdown pass at the 2:54 mark. Vero led at the end of three 41-7.
Vero scored once more in the fourth quarter on a Roosevelt Spruill 7-yard run.
Vero Beach bounced back from last week’s loss with an impressive 48-7 win.
The Homecoming game was capped off by an energetic performance by the Vero Beach Marching Band and a booming fireworks display.
The 2013 Homecoming festivities conclude Saturday with the annual dance at the John B. Witt gym from 8 to 11 p.m.
