VERO BEACH — The District 8 – 8A champions may have underestimated the Wolverines prior to the game as Wellington took advantage of a Vero Beach kickoff reverse that backfired and left the Fighting Indians backed up to their own end zone. It only took Wellington thirty seconds to get on the scoreboard via a Fighting Indians safety on their first offensive series of the game.
On their second possession Vero put together a 75 yard drive and looked like they were about to score when quarterback Dalton Stokes fumbled on the Wellington two yard line and the Wolverines recovered.
“It took us a while to get rolling. That was about the sloppiest start I’ve seen in a long time or been a part of in a long time,” Jankowski said. “Fortunately our defense kept us in the game early. Once our offense got things figured out we were able to put up some points.”
The Wolverines had offensive troubles of their own after the fumble recovery and were tackled inside their own end zone for a safety with 5:05 to go in the first. The quarter would end tied at two apiece.
In the second quarter Wellington failed on a 45 yard field goal attempt with 7:30 left in the half. That’s when the Vero Beach offense started to find the end zone. Vero Beach scored three touchdowns in the second quarter. At the 5:50 mark Vero quarterback Dalton Stokes scampered for the Fighting Indians first score on a quarterback keeper. Stokes praised his offensive line for the touchdown.
“The offensive line was blocking well and I was able to make the read,” Stokes said. “The hole was wide open and I decided to keep it and we were able to score.”
Vero scored again when Stokes found receiver Javonte Bagley for his first passing touchdown of the game and that gave Vero a 16-2 lead. With a 1:57 left in the first half Wellington went for it on a fourth and one but sophomore Tyler Horstman sacked the quarterback and Vero took over on downs. It only took Vero a minute and a half to score again on a six yard pass from Stokes to second team running back Roosevelt Spruill and a 23-2 halftime lead.
Spruill started last week against Treasure Coast because Vero’s starting running back Jason Pierre suffered a broken leg. “Everyone got a little scared when JP went out,” Stokes said. “Rosie is a great runner. He’s strong, he’s physical. We trust in him just as much as we trust in JP.”
In the third quarter Vero Beach had a punt return for a touchdown by Freshman MJ McGriff called back with 6:10 left due to a controversial block in the back call. Vero Beach running back Dravious Wright took the ball in from 1 yard out with 3:24 to go to give Vero a 30-2 lead. The Wellington offense could not do anything against the Fighting Indians’ defense that came into Monday’s contest allowing less than 10 points per game. Senior defensive lineman Ivory Kizzy said it’s all about getting ready for the playoffs.
“We brought it tonight defensively,” Kizzy said. “Once we got ahead they started talking and tried to throw us off our composure. We kept it together and used them to get ready for the playoffs.”
As time began to wind down in the fourth quarter Vero’s younger players had an opportunity to show what they could do. Sophomore transfer Sloan Drummonds connected on a 23 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jimmy Williamson with 1:23 to go in the game and a 37-2 win.
“A lot of guys contributed tonight,” Jankowski said. “We had young guys do well on both sides of the ball and a lot of guys got to play a lot of minutes. We have to get well and get rested for Thursday. I’m sure all of our guys will be up to the task.”
Vero Beach (8-1) will host Santaluces Thursday night at the Citrus Bowl before hosting the regional quarterfinal Nov. 16.
