VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Fighting Indians honored members of the United States armed services prior to Friday’s run away win against George Jenkins at the Citrus Bowl.
Several branches of the military were represented and the Vero Beach players and coaches wore camouflage jerseys to honor the men and women who serve.
Vero Beach took the lead on their very first play from scrimmage on a shuffle pass from Carter Stanley to MJ McGriff. McGriff scampered 80 yards for the score and the 7-0 Vero lead. After a George Jenkins punt Vero scored on their second possession with 7:28 to go in the first quarter.
Stanley dropped a pass over the defense and into the hands of McGriff I the right corner of the end zone. Arron Kuh’s extra point attempt failed and Vero led 13-0. Vero Beach increased their lead to 20-0 with 4:34 left I the first quarter when freshman running back Akeem Dixon took the ball in from 19 yards out and Kuh converted on the kick. With forty-five seconds left in the first quarter Vero defensive back Anthony Pearson picked off a George Jenkins pass and Vero had possession and a 20-0 lead to start the second quarter.
It only took Vero Beach eighty seconds to score in the second quarter when Stanley hooked up with McGriff for a nine yard touchdown and boosted their lead to 27-0. George Jenkins finally got on the scoreboard with 5:11 to go in the first half when kicker Ben Rice hit a thirty – seven yard field goal. Vero Beach answered back when Stanley and McGriff combined for their fourth score of the half and the Fighting Indians were in control 34-3.Stanley through his fifth touchdown of the game on a thirty-four yard pass to receiver Sean Harvey. The Fighting Indians went into the locker room at halftime leading the Eagles 41-3.
The second half was played under a running clock per FHSAA rules. Vero Beach scored in the final minute of the third quarter when Vero linebacker Scott Tavlin scooped up a Jenkins fumble and took it to the end zone for the final score of the game and the 48-3 Fighting Indian win.
Vero Beach will host a highly anticipated district game next week against Ft. Pierce Central.