Noles down Darters 42-14 will host regional final
As he stood yards away from his celebrating players a soaking wet coach Karl Calhoun could only smile. Maybe from the ice-cold water bath he had gotten from his players moments before, or maybe it was how his Seminoles have dominated in the Regional playoffs.
Against a team who over the past two years have altered its season, Seminole dominated in all aspects of the game in route to a 42-14 win over the Blue Darters in the FHSAA Regional quarterfinals.
“Whenever you can beat a team that goes to state championship after state championship, it was really good to see us a unit,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun said. “It was really good see our guys all come together especially against a team like Apopka.
“I am just so proud of our guys we executed on all three phases – offense, defense and special teams just going through it.”
With eight minute left in the first quarter, quarterback Karson Siqueiros-Lasky found Michael Key for the first score of the game. The Noles added a 2-point PAT for the 8-0 lead.
The two seniors would connect again before the end of the first and the Noles were rolling to a 15-0 lead.
“Karson is one of the best quarterbacks in the state, when he is one, we are on,” Calhoun said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons and we want to use them all. Mike Key is a special, special player, I am glad we could use him early. But all of guys were able to make plays when needed.”
Siqueiros-Lasky finished the night going 13-of-16 for 250 yards and two passing touchdowns, Key had four catches on the night for 45 yards and his two touchdowns.
A slopy field slowed both teams as rains began to fall before the half, but running back Rodney Grant would hit pay dirt from 23-yars out, Allen would add the PAT for a 22-0 Noles lead at the half.
Siqueiros-Lasky would add one on the ground when he ran 6-yards on a Quarterback keeper to give the hosts a commanding 29-0 lead with just over eight minutes left in the third.
Apopka finally got on the scoreboard with three minutes left in the third, but Seminole senior running back Trey Clark broke free in the fourth quarter on a 61-yard run, followed by a Juan Berchal interception on the ensuing drive and a 6-yard scoring run by De’Shawn Watkins with 6:15 left sealed the victory for the Noles.
“Our concepts were there playing against a very good football team and we got the job done,” Calhoun said. “We been hurt this year, but we have gotten healthy at the right time, as you can see we just came out and played, our defense held it down like they are supposed to.”
With the win, Seminole will host Mandarin (9-3) a 36-10 winner over top-seeded Lake Mary.
The Mustangs are lead by running backs Tiant Wyche, who has average just over 121 yards a game, and Deshard Westcott, who has 76 yards a game on the ground this year. Quarterback Trammel Jones has thrown for 2531 yards this season.
“I am excited for our guys (to host the regional final, we have been through some adversity this year,” Calhoun said. “I just want everyone to come out, support the boys and have a great time.”
Kick is set for 7pm on Friday, Nov 24.
