PORT ST. LUICE – Vero Beach Fighting Indians traveled to the St. Lucie West Centennial Eagles Friday night, coming off a 24-7 win over South Fork.
“We knew going into the game that defense was going to be a key,” Coach Gary Coggin said. “Centennial has been able to move the ball on everyone.” This was the first time that Vero Beach traveled to St. Lucie West Centennial.
Vero Beach got on the score board first when kicker Karson Dietrich hit a 44-yard field goal to put Vero up 3-0 in the first quarter.
After a 70-yard punt pinned Centennial inside their own 5-yard line, Vero Beach’s defense stepped up and forced Centennial to punt. Vero Beach found themselves in excellent field position.
Nearing the end of the second quarter, Vero Beach quarterback Todd Fennell found Joe Garofalo for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
At the end of the first half, Vero Beach led 10 – 0.
Vero Beach tried to surprise Centennial with an onside kick to start the second half. Centennial was able to recover the onside, but was unable to do anything with it on offense.
With just 18 seconds left in the game, Vero Beach running back Dentist Hall found the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run.
The final score Vero Beach 17, St. Lucie West Centennial 0.
“We tackled well,” Coach Coggin said. “It seemed like every time we had punt to, our defense would step up. We gave up some yardage, but we held them when it mattered and kept them off the scoreboard.”
Vero Beach improves to 3-0 in the district and 6-1 overall.
Vero Beach hosts Treasure Coast next week for Homecoming.
“Should be a big crowd and hopefully the 12th man will back us up next week,” Coach Coggin said.
