VERO BEACH — Foreshadowing was the name of the game as Warner Christian Academy Eagles handed Saint Edward’s school football team a 41-0 loss, during a home game Sept. 14.
Dark, foreboding skies filled the air with a humid pall as night fell at the St. Edwards’ stadium and Pirates’ supporters cheered for their team.
Warner Christian Academy set the tone for the game when they scored a touchdown off of an 80-yard kickoff return, just seconds into the first quarter.
That first, rapid score seemed to set off an avalanche of Eagles’ offensive players.
It wasn’t long before Eagles running back Marcus Dixon added another six points to the scoreboard.
Pirates’ offense tried desperately to get some points during the first quarter but found Eagles’ defenders at every turn. Quarterback Carson Proctor had little chance to throw and opted mostly for running plays but still gained no ground.
Eagles racked up 21 unanswered points in the first quarter. By halftime, their lead grew to 35 – 0.
Pirates’ defenders held the line more at the start of the second half and allowed for only one more touchdown by game’s end.
Saint Edwards’ offensive coach Bill Ferrari said losing the game to a very talented team like Warner Christian Academy is nothing to be ashamed of.
“I mean, yeah, it’s another district loss,” Ferrari said. “Now, we’re going to fighting an uphill battle.”
A number of factors came into play that made for a tough game, he said.
“This is a young team,” Ferrari said. “We have six freshmen starters on the roster.”
With more experience and practice, the Pirates can grow into a stronger team, he said.
Eagles head coach Steve Allen said he has a great deal of respect for the Pirates and the effort they put forward.
“My hat’s off to them,” Allen said. “They put a lot out there and they played hard.”
The win over St. Edwards continues an undefeated streak of three games.
However, winning isn’t everything, he said.
“You’re always pleased to win,” Allen said. “I felt like we played really well.”
Getting a lot of points up on the board early was really a deciding factor in winning, he said.
“There were some missed opportunities, though,” Allen said. “I saw a few things we need to work on.”
Regardless of how well a game ends up, there’s always something to work on, he said.
The defeat brings St. Ed’s season record to two losses and one win.