Coral Shores and Key West met on the gridiron for the 12th time in the schools’ history on Oct. 21. The game, held in Tavernier, was a lucky break in scheduling for both teams. Key West’s division is heavily populated with schools suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and Coral Shores had a game canceled due to its scheduled opponent disbanding its football team in recent weeks.
The Conchs’ offense dominated the first half of the game, grinding out yardage against a notoriously stingy Hurricanes defense. With 5:28 left in the first quarter, Conchs quarterback Adrian Mira powered in a 25-yard touchdown run, followed by a Marco Davila kick, giving Key West a 7-0 lead. A few minutes later, Jacob Lavallee carried the ball 2 yards across the goal line for a touchdown. Davila again split the uprights, but the extra point attempt was replayed due to a penalty, and Coral Shores’ Xavyer Arrington took advantage of the second opportunity, blocking the kick. The Conchs led at the end of the first quarter, 13-0.
The second quarter highlighted solid defensive play for both teams, and Coral Shores received a spark when John Holly recovered a muffed punt, giving the ’Canes great field position and an extra offensive series. The spark was short-lived, though. Key West’s Kevon Mills picked off a pass seconds later, putting the ball back into the hands of the Conchs, who scored their third touchdown of the half, this time on a Jakari Blackman run with 2:38 left in the half.
The 19-0 deficit would not deter the ’Canes coming out of the half, and their renewed energy matched Key West in a hard-fought, scoreless third quarter. Key West penalties drove the ’Canes downfield toward the red zone in the fourth, and they took advantage of the field position, scoring on a short run which was called back on a penalty. Undaunted, ’Canes quarterback Yemcel Moreno connected with Dantay Diorio on a wheel pass for a 32-yard touchdown, putting the ’Canes on the scoreboard for the first time in the game.
Key West didn’t take long to answer back. James Reynolds scored on a short run, giving the Conchs their only points in the half and a 25-7 lead. Coral Shores continued to fight, and with less than a minute to go in the game, Moreno ran the ball in for a 3-yard touchdown. The final score was 25-13, giving the Conchs a 3-4 record as they head into their first trip out of the Keys this season to play Fort Myers Gateway on Friday, Oct. 28. Coral Shores, at 7-2, will face 5-2 Ransom Everglades on the road the same night in a conference playoff game. The ’Canes beat Ransom 21-7 earlier this season. Kickoff is 4 p.m.
