VERO BEACH – Just over four minutes into the game Seminole found itself down 12 against perennial state-powerhouse Vero Beach.
In the end, that didn’t seem to matter as the Noles routed the Indians 45-20 to move to 4-1 and set up a district match up on homecoming against Apopka. The Blue Darters were shutout 27-0 against Edgewater.
“We gave up a few quick plays in the beginning,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun said. “I told the guys to just settle down. Just settle down and play our game. We talked all week about staying composed when adversity hit, and the guys stay composed and continued to play.”
The Indians had been only allowing 8 points a game heading into the match-up with Seminole.
Rodney Grant got this rolling for the Noles when he scored on a 9-yard run with 4:14 left in the first.
Quarterback Karson Siquerios-Lasky would throw the first of two first-half touchdowns to Marvin Brown with 9:37 to go in the half to give the Noles the lead for good 14-12.
Siquerios-Lasky connected with Justin Rosado at the 7:41 mark for another Noles touchdown. Then just before half the senior quarterback found Brown for the second time and the rout was on with the Noles up 31-18.
“The offense really unleashed tonight. We were clicking on all cylinders and really showed how explosive we can be,” Calhoun said. “Our receivers really stepped up and played huge all game. Karson made some great throws and cashed in on four of them for touchdowns.”
The Noles defense slowed the Indians offense as well in the win, holding Vero almost a touchdown below their 26.7 points a game average.
It was Senior defensive lineman Preston Watson who led the way for the Seminoles when they didn’t have the ball. The Duke commit had two sacks, three tackles for a loss and added an interception on the night.
“Preston Watson was flat out special,” Calhoun said. “But I am just very proud of our guys going on the road facing an undefeated and explosive team in Vero. Great win going into a big district game against Apopka.”
After the Noles were hit with a holding penalty in the endzone to give Vero its final two points of the game, Treyvin Clark hit paid dirt on a 7-yard run with :44 left in the 3rd Seminole the PAT made it 38-20. Michael Key connect with Siquerios-Lasky for a 12-yard strike with just under eight minutes left in the game to finish off the win.
The Noles will have a challenge ahead this week with Apopka, which despite the blowout loss to Edgewater and a few other struggles this season, Calhoun says the Darters are not to be overlooked.
“They are a championship program and have ended or altered our season the past two seasons,” Calhoun said. “This is a playoff game, and we need to be ready for them. Our guys are motivated and ready for the challenge, but we will never ever look past a team like Apopka.”
Game time is set for 7 pm Sept 29.