On their very first offensive play in the 56th Battle of the Keys, the Coral Shores Hurricanes handed the ball to sophomore back John Oughton. In what became a preview of the rest of the game, Oughton broke free for a 49-yard touchdown, handing the ’Canes a lead they never relinquished.
Oughton was good for two more rushing TDs and David Beltran tacked on a 50-yard score of his own. Sterling Keefe connected with Kristers Vutnans for a 16-yard touchdown reception and William Judson tacked on four extra points to bring the Hurricanes’ tally to 34 points in the rivalry matchup.
Marathon had some bright spots, but early miscues stalled their offense.
“When you run the single wing, you can’t make mistakes, you can’t be offsides or hold. We worked for every inch and penalties killed us,” said Fins’ coach Sean McDonald. The Dolphins did manage a late-game touchdown on a drive that approached the goal line, then receded multiple times before Jesus Gonzalez willed the ball into the end zone. Gonzalez did the same the following play on a successful two-point conversion to make the final score 34-8.
“It was another opportunity for two great teams and communities to have an exciting competition and great spirit,” said ’Canes coach Ed Holly. “I don’t think the score was indicative of how hard-fought this contest was.”
Key West had a bye last week, and it could not have come at a better time. The Conchs face a formidable Miami Northwestern on Oct. 11 on the mainland. The Bulls are the district heir apparent this season, leading FHSAA’s 3A District 16 with a 5-1 record. Northwestern’s only loss of the season came in August to California’s Orange Lutheran, a team consistently ranked in the top 100 in the nation.
Since week one, the Bulls have been on a rampage, outscoring opponents 157-54, with fellow district team Miami Jackson opting not to play them at all. Despite the imposing force Miami Northwestern represents, the Bulls have not faced a hard-hitting, run-heavy offense like Key West’s, and if the Conchs can lock down the Bulls on defense, their strength in the backfield may just shock the division leaders.
The Conchs are not the only team facing formidable opponents. Coral Shores faces a 4-1 Archbishop Carroll, a team whose only blemish came on Aug. 22 when they tied Florida Christian. The Fins face a 7-0 Mount Dora Christian Academy, whose punishing single wing offense has outscored opponents by a ridiculous 339-64 margin. In Marathon’s favor is their understanding of the Mount Dora offense, as it mirrors their own.
