Head coach Johnny Hughes knew that Key West’s Sept. 5 game against Somerset Academy Canyons was a must-win if his team is to have any chance of making the playoffs. His Conchs delivered, overcoming the Cougars with over 400 yards of offense, all on the ground.
Hughes credited his offensive line with allowing the backs to stack up big numbers. “We do a great job of blocking and creating holes,” he said.
Jeff Dejean broke loose for a 53-yard run and Walson Morin’s longest was 78. Morin found the end zone three times and added a two-point conversion. Leo Batista touched the ball just twice, but made the most of his possessions. He scored the fourth touchdown of the game, finding daylight for a 24-yard Conch TD.
The win was about as exciting as they get for Key West. Down 21-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Conchs scored to take the lead. The outnumbered Conch athletes, many of whom play both ways and were exhausted, held their breath and placed their hopes on Josh Johnson. More than a two-way player, Johnson simply doesn’t leave the field, adding a triple-duty kicking role to his repertoire of skills.
“Fatigue was a factor,” said Hughes. “I was worried I left too much time on the clock.”
The Cougars had already scored on a kick return, and rather than risk them taking another one to the house, Hughes considered an on-side kick. With 53 seconds left in the game, he turned to Johnson, who reportedly said, “Coach, I’ll put it in the end zone.” Johnson delivered, blasting a 60-plus-yard bomb on the kickoff.
Key West’s defense held strong in the final seconds of play, stopping the Cougars on their last drive and securing their first win of the season.
The Conchs’ win could just be the beginning of a streak. They kick off against longtime rival Belen Jesuit Sept. 12 and hope to take advantage of the Wolverines’ new spread offense. Belen is 0-3 and hasn’t scored more than one TD in a game this season.
Marathon did not earn their first win of the season against Westminster Christian last week. The unbeaten Warriors handed the Fins a 56-0 loss to keep their record unblemished while the Dolphins were left winless. Marathon will need to turn the tide this week against Zephyrhills Christian in order to keep hopes alive for a postseason bid. Coach Sean McDonald said his team will return to basics in practice this week to catch some new roster additions up to speed and shore up some areas of weakness left exposed by their loss to the Warriors.
Coral Shores did not get a chance to play last week. Their game scheduled with BridgePrep Village Green last week was canceled due to weather, leaving the Hurricanes a game and a half down this season. The Hurricanes had already taken the field for warmups when the foreboding and all-too-familiar sound of the lightning detector horn sounded.
Coral Shores played just one half against Palmer Trinity two weeks ago and will make up the second half later this month. The team hopes to reschedule BridgePrep for later in the season. While the teams work on possible dates, head coach Ed Holly reports that his team is well-rested and blessed to be without injury for their next opponent, SmartEn Sports Academy.
“We’re looking forward to getting back on the field,” said Holly. The SmartEn Goats will make the trip to Tavernier Sept. 12 to give the ’Canes their first action since August.
Photos by Maicey Malgrat and Justice Lee
