FORT PIERCE — Sebastian River High School Sharks added one in the “win” column for spring football after a 13-6 victory over Treasure Coast High School Titans at South County Stadium May 24. From kickoff through most of the first half, the game seemed to be a contest of wills between two equally matched opponents.
Every inch gained in possession was answered by unyielding linesmen from either side. With a series of penalties having been called, it seemed the only path to victory was through attrition.
Then, with two minutes and 53 seconds left in the second quarter, Sharks offensive lineman Matthew Lightle ran 67 yards for a touchdown. Breaking loose from the pack, Lightle hugged the sideline tightly as Titans defenders fell farther and farther behind.
Coupled with a successful point after kick, the long run put Sebastian in the driver’s seat early on.
Just after halftime Sharks running back Octavian Jefferson added another six points to the scoreboard with a four-yard run through a wall of Titans players. A loose ball at the end of the play would take an official ruling to allow for the touchdown.
Though Treasure Coast had several strong drives during their possessions, they were met at every scoring opportunity by a wall of Sharks defenders who were able to stop them short.
The Titans lost more traction with a series of fouls that led to replay of a critical down late in the game. A third quarter interception by Sharks defensive back Shelvik Henry further hindered Treasure Coast’s ability to get on the scoreboard.
Even when their luck began to change, it seemed time was running out on the Titans.
With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Treasure Coast scored on an 84-yard run by Jensen Williams.
However, a few, strong defensive plays by the Sharks were more than enough to hold the score and run down the clock.
Although Sharks players celebrated the victory, one man on the team looked at the outcome as a “passing score” on an unwritten test.
Sebastian River football coach Randy Bethel said he was pleased at the performance of his defensive line throughout the game.
“Our emphasis this season is on our defense,” Bethel said. “Offensively we’ll come around — but defense is what we’re working on.”
A big part of creating a winning, successful team is to focus on character first, he said.
“We had an OK team last year,” Bethel said. “I think this year the team will be better.”
A close look at setbacks and issues from last year will serve to strengthen the current team, he said.
“We can’t live on the offense,” Bethel said. “We have to really build our defense. There are things we have to address after this last season.”
Winning the game against Treasure Coast is an affirmation that the Sharks are capable of reducing scoring opportunities, he said.
“You can see that they’re working hard at pulling it together,” Bethel said.
