First year programs are not expected to win. In fact many probably thought the Blazers would struggle to score points. When Coach Spenn was first thinking about everything that goes into starting a football program, he felt that if they were going to lose games, it would be a lot more fun to at least score a lot of points. The Blazers have done that. In the last 7 games the Blazers are averaging 50 points a game. Friday the Blazers scored 27 points in the second quarter alone but ultimately it was a defensive stop on a 2-point conversion that sealed the victory and earned the Blazers a trip to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference 2A Championship game.
The Blazers defeated Lakeside Christian 47-46 in a game that was worth the admission and multiple trips to the concession stand. Just a month ago the Blazers lost at Lakeside Christian in a similar game. The Blazers dominated early and got out to a 14 point lead after the first quarter with
Ben Milliken finding his usual target in
Colton Loftus for a 65 yard TD strike and then
Justin Brock from 30 yards. The Lions would start slow, but would come roaring back to take a 16-14 lead.
The second quarter saw a total of 51 points scored as both teams went up and down the field. Milliken found
Travis Miller for the first of three TD catches to put the Blazers back in front. The defense forced a punt and then
Justin Brock went 43 yards to the endzone. The play of
Trey Featherston and
Ethan Jackson up front really made a difference as the Blazers shut down the Lion run game and forced them to the air. The Blazers took a 41 to 24 lead into half time.
The second half had a lot more defense, especially by the Lions as they forced 4 turnovers on the night, but the Blazers still found the big plays when they needed. The final score came midway through the fourth when the Lions closed to within one point. A blocked extra point had left the blazers with a 7 point lead and 7 minutes to play. The Lion's would go on a 13 play scoring drive where they picked up two 4th down conversions. However, the 2-point conversion would fail.Â
Randall Collins met the QB at line of scrimmage and then a host of Blazers arrived to preserve the lead. The next play would be an 8-man onside kick where
Daniel Jacinto would come up with the sack to seal the game.
Jacinto lead the Blazers with 19 total tackles.
Austin Kerle and
Travis Miller each had 12 tackles.
Ben Milliken went over 3,000 yards passing on the season and
Travis Miller became a 1,000 yard receiver. A mark that
Colton Loftus should also reach this week.Â
There was a great crowd and atmosphere for the last home game of the season. The post game huddle had close to 200 people in it and was a great way to close out the last home game.
The Blazers will take on Master's Academy of Vero Beach in the 2A SSAC Championship game this Saturday at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland, FL at 2 p.m. It looks to be a great matchup between two teams that are both playing their best football down the final stretch of the season.Â
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