VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Fighting Indians got off to a shaky start but were able to hang on and win 38-35 Friday night at the Citrus Bowl to remain undefeated on the season.
After receiving the opening kickoff Vero Beach fumbled the ball away to the Gators who took over first and ten on the Vero 47-yard line. The Gators were able to convert the Vero Beach fumble into points on a 39-yard field goal with 10:37 left in the first quarter.
The Gators recovered another Vero Beach fumble with 4:33 to go in the first and converted it into three more points on a 25-yard field goal with 1:50 to go.
Vero Beach was able to put their first points on the board when quarterback Carter Stanley took the ball into the end zone with 6:34 to play in the first half.
The Vero Beach defense came up with a big interception by defensive back Anthony Pearson. Pearson picked off the Gator pass and took it to the house for a 14-6 Vero lead.
The Gators returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown and successfully completed the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:41 to go in the first half.
The Fighting Indians scored just before the end of the half when Carter Stanley completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver M.J. McGriff that put Vero in the lead 21-14.
Gardens answered the bell on their first play from scrimmage to start the second half on a 63-yard touchdown completion that tied the game at 21.
The Gators picked off a Carter Stanley pass on Vero’s next offensive series and attempted a 27-yard field goal that was blocked by Vero senior Reche Thomas. The Vero Beach offense could not generate any movement offensively and had to punt.
Vero bobbled the snap and had to fall on the ball at their 11-yard line. The Gators took over on downs and retook the lead 28-21 on a quarterback keeper at the 5:47 mark.
Vero Beach matched the Gators’ score on a Stanley to McGriff touchdown in less than 30 seconds but the extra point was no good and Vero trailed Gardens 28-27.
The Gators scored their second touchdown of the quarter and increased their lead to 35-27 entering into the last 12 minutes of the game.
Vero Beach kicker Arron Kuh attempted a 39-yard field goal that failed wide left. The Vero Beach defense stood strong against Gardens on their next offensive series forcing the Gators to punt.
Stanley and McGriff hooked up for their third touchdown of the game but Vero needed a two-point conversion to tie the game. Stanley found McGriff once again and Vero had leveled the game at 35-35.
Vero Beach forced Gardens to punt again in the remaining minutes of the game. The Vero offense was able to get Kuh within range and he booted the 22-yard game winning field goal that sealed the Gators’ fate with 1:47 to play.
Vero Beach extends its undefeated record to 8-0 on the season and will travel to Centennial next week for their third and final district game of the season. With a win over Centennial Vero Beach would clinch the top spot and home field in District 8A.
