VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Fighting Indians hosted the Palm Harbor University Hurricanes for the Region 2- 8A quarterfinals Friday night and took home a win 24-10 over their opponents. The Vero Beach faithful braved some bad weather to support the home team and help them move on to the second round of the playoffs.
“The crowd was great tonight,” Vero senior lineman Connor Moore said. “We lost last year over there and we didn’t want that to happen again. We wanted to win here for our fans.”
The fans were in for a real treat.
Vero Beach elected to receive the opening kickoff and ran a reverse to senior Running Back/Defensive Back Dravious Wright. Wright ran the ball toward the visitor sideline, made a couple of moves and accelerated 97 yards into the end zone for the touchdown.
“Coach made us work hard this week on our return,” Wright said. “My teammates made some good blocks and I found a hole. I started up the field and do what I do.”
Vero Coach Lenny Jankowski said Wright made huge impact in the game.
“Dravious is some kind of player. He got us a big lift with that opening kickoff and also played some great defense,” Jankowski said. “Dre had some of the best hits I have ever seen. They came out a couple times in a trick formation and Dravious made them pay the price. I am proud of the job he did for us tonight.”
Palm Harbor was able to convert their first possession into three points after a successful 37 yard field goal with 5:08 to go in the first. Twelve seconds later Vero Beach Quarterback Dalton Stokes through a pick six that put the Hurricanes up 10-7.
Stokes was able to redeem himself in the second quarter by throwing two touchdowns. The first was a 1-yard completion to wide receiver Jimmy Williamson at the 9:28 mark that put Vero ahead 14-10.The Fighting Indians recovered a Hurricanes’ fumble on the 43-yard line with 8:23 to go that set up Stokes’ second touchdown of the quarter.
“Stokes hit Vero receiver Jamario Lambert in stride for a 60-yard bomb that gave Vero a comfortable 21-10 lead. With 4:11 to go in the half the Fighting Indians converted on a 4th and 3 that set up a 37-yard field goal by Dietrich that put Vero on top 24-10.
During halftime the rains began to pour onto Billy Livings field creating a sloppy unstable surface for both teams.
Dietrich attempted a 26-yard field goal that was blocked by the Hurricanes with 2:35 to go in the third. Neither team could generate any offense in the second half. Vero Beach was able to finish off the Hurricanes with a steady drive behind the running of junior Roosevelt Spruill and freshman M.J. McGriff.
“We came out a little slow at first,” Spruill said. “We eventually got things clicking, put some points on the board, and came out with the win.”
With the win Vero Beach, advances to the Region 2 – 8A semifinal game against East Lake High Friday night in Tarpon Springs.
“I was really proud of how we played tonight,” Coach Jankowski said. “We are going to be looking forward to the game against Eastlake. We had a great week of practice this past week and I’m sure we’ll be excited and energized and practice well this week. It should be a great high school football game. I’m enjoying this football season and there is still more to come.”