KEY WEST WASHES OUT BELEN IN WEEK FOUR GRIDIRON ACTION

Key West was the lone Keys winner on the gridiron last week, with a victory over Belen Jesuit on Sept. 12. The Conchs outscored the Wolverines 22-15 to even their record and keep their hopes of a playoff game alive. 

Walson Morin ran for over 250 yards against the Wolverines, scoring two of Key West’s touchdowns. Jeff Dejean scored the third and amassed over 100 yards. All three TDs came in the first half. In the second, the Conchs only had three drives in total and were not able to capitalize on them.

Defensively, Key West was able to get in a lot of practice against a high-caliber passing game. The Wolverines threw 25 times against the Conchs, setting up Noah Mercer for three sacks in a single game.

Now 2-2, Key West will head to Gulliver Prep on Friday, Sept. 19 for a 4 p.m. kickoff, but if anything has been made apparent over the last month, it is that an afternoon game in Miami will be fraught with delays. 

Ninety miles away from the Southernmost City, the Goats of SmartEn Sports Academy were sure-footed through the sloppy field and weather conditions last week. The Goats defeated the Hurricanes of Coral Shores 24-13 in a wet, muddy meetup in Tavernier. 

The Goats led 6-0 at the half after some excellent displays of defense from Coral Shores. Coach Ed Holly praised SG Paul, Marco Gudino, Nick Calderon and Glade Harrelson for their performance on defense and in keeping the game close through all four quarters.

Sterling Keefe called the plays, running for nearly 50 yards in addition to running the offense for the ’Canes. Keefe and the rest of the Hurricane offense got within a point of the Goats early in the second half, but sloppy weather and some feats of athleticism from SmartEn sealed the deal for a Goats win. Ekon Edwards and David Beltran had some big gains running the ball for the Hurricanes. Beltran walked into the end zone once after a three-yard run. The other TD was off a 17-yard run by John Oughton. 

Marathon came out of the gates against Zephyrhills Christian Academy with an intensity head coach Sean McDonald has been looking for all season, and the Dolphins were able to string together some explosive plays on both sides of the ball. The first half of their Sept. 12 game was a defensive battle, with Zephyrhills leading 6-0 with just over a minute to go before the half. The Warriors punched one in to lead 12-0 when the second quarter buzzer sounded. 

Westminster added enough points early in the second half to put a win out of reach for the Fins, but the increased intensity and some big plays give the Dolphins hope heading into week 5. Mathew Machado scored the Fins’ lone TD and defensively, Marathon had some bright spots, including a goal-line stand to stop Zephyrhills early in the game and a Charlie Buttner interception. 

Marathon will look for win number one against a formidable Palmer Trinity on Sept. 19. Palmer will then play Coral Shores three days later to complete the second half of their game, postponed earlier in the season due to weather conditions. Palmer will start the game against the Hurricanes with a 16-point advantage, scored in their earlier engagement. 

Before the Hurricanes finish their business with Palmer, they will play a full game at Glades Day Thursday, Sept. 18, then Florida Christian on Friday, Sept. 26, giving them three opponents in nine days’ time.

Photos by Doug Finger, Maicey Malgrat and Tracy McDonald

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