VERO BEACH — It’s been seven years since Vero Beach played Martin County in a football game so what was another 45 minutes? Lightning and thundershowers postponed the highly anticipated event but the game was well worth the wait for Fighting Indians fans.
Martin County fumbled the football twice on the opening series, the second time into the waiting arms of Vero’s Robert Dixson. Four plays later Vero Beach running back Dentist Hall put the Fighting Indians on the scoreboard with a 2-yard run.
The Vero faithful barely had time to reminisce about the one-sided rivalry when Martin County’s Justin Simmons returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to the Vero 2-yard line.
The Tiger’s Herschel Hester scored on the next play and the score was tied at seven with 9:03 to go in the first quarter.
Vero Beach scored twice in the second quarter. Once when defensive back Charles Ivory picked off a Martin County pass and tossed to teammate Dravious Wright who ran 20 yards for the score.
“At first I was ready to give Charles an earful,” Indians Coach Lenny Jankowski said, “but then I saw Dravious heading for the end zone and everything was fine.”
The Fighting Indians also scored on a 6-yard run by sophomore speedster Jason Pierre.
Martin County answered back with six seconds to go in the half on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Nolan Mullen to Justin Simmons. That would be the last time the Fighting Indians defense would allow Martin County to see the end zone.
Vero scored once in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by Dentist Hall and twice in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Pierre and a 15-yard touchdown pass and catch from Nick Madden to Jeremy Bell to solidify the 42 to 14 victory.
Madden completed 14 of 20 passes for 220 yards on the night. Senior wide receiver and first year football player Charlie Miller was Madden’s favorite target once again.
Coach Jankowski said that he was proud of his team’s effort.
“As long as we continue to improve from one week to the next I will be satisfied with our progress,” the coach said.
Martin County evens out at 1-1 and will host Eau Gallie next week. Vero Beach improves to 2-0 on the season and will host Ft. Pierce Westwood Friday at the Citrus Bowl.