VERO BEACH — Rainy weather and a thirty minute rain delay did not slow down the Vero Beach Fighting Indians offense against Martin County Friday night at the Citrus Bowl.
Five different players scored in a variety of ways to give Vero Beach their second win of the season. Vero Coach Lenny Jankowski said execution was key to the win.
“Offensively we were able to execute but I think again it was set up by some really sound defense and some special teams play,” said Jankowski. “We spread it around pretty good, our quarterbacks played well our running backs ran the ball hard, and overall our O line played well.”
Vero Beach went three and out after winning the toss and receiving the opening kickoff. Martin County was also forced to punt on their first possession. Vero began their second series on their own 27 yard line and drove down the field to the Martin County five where Dalton Stokes scored on a keeper from five yards out with 7:24 to go in the first.
Martin County punted on their next series and Vero returned the ball back to the Tiger’s 35 yard line. Stokes hit receiver Javonte Bagley on a 29 yard touchdown pass with 5:46 to go in the first and Vero led 14-0.
On their next offensive series Vero receiver Jimmy Williamson took the ball deep into Martin County territory on a pass from Stokes but was pushed out at the two yard line. That’s when the powers that be asked that the Citrus Bowl be evacuated due to lightning strikes.
After the 30 minute delay both teams returned to the field and Vero’s Jason Pierre took the ball in from two yards out for the 21-7 lead with 2:19 left in the first. Stokes said the offensive line deserves a lot of credit.
“All the guys up front did a great job opening holes for the running backs and giving me time to throw. It all starts with them,” said Stokes.
Vero started their first series of the second quarter on a 55 yard touchdown reception by running back Roosevelt Spruill. Spruill’s touchdown with 10:39 to go in the second quarter put Vero up 28-0.
Vero’s defense forced the Tigers to punt again and Vero took over on their own 45 yard line. At the 8:01 marks Stokes completed another touchdown pass, this time to senior running back Jason Pierre for 28 yards.
Pierre’s touchdown reception put Vero in the driver’s seat 35-0. Pierre capped off the second quarter with a 20 yard touchdown run and Vero went into the locker room with a 42-0 halftime lead. Coach Jankowski said a lot of the team’s success is because of the defense.
“Our defense has been the key. We have been able to put up some points offensively but it has all been set up by our defense,” Jankowski said.
The final two quarters were played with a running clock because of the Vero lead. Martin County received the kick to start the second half but punted once more. The Fighting Indians started their third quarter drive from their own 15 yard line and finished with a 7 yard touchdown by running back Spencer Chenoweth that increased the Vero lead to 49 – 0 with 2:50 to go in the third quarter.
Martin County was able to get on the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter on a Caleb Allgood 5 yard touchdown reception. The Tiger’s 2 point conversion failed and Vero secured their second win of the season 49-6. Coach Jankowski said Vero Beach made several substitutions in the second half allowing the majority of their team to experience real time game situations.
“It makes you feel real good as a coach to get people who try real hard during the week into the game,” Jankowski said. “A lot of times the opportunity doesn’t present itself, especially with a running clock, but ideally you want to try and get everyone in somewhere.”
Vero Beach will travel to their first away game of the season next Friday to play Lake Mineola.
