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Zephyrhills Christian Academy 20, Orlando West Oaks Academy 8
By Alejandro Tamayo
PascoCountyFB Staff Writer
August 29, 2018
Ever since joining the FHSSA in 2017 ZCA has always accomplished its goal of making this playoffs. This year is already off to a rough start dropping the opening game 47-20 and having to grind out a gritty 20-8 victory over Orlando West Oaks Academy.
The Warriors got off to the start they wanted. Recovering a pooch kick to start the game inside West Oaks territory. For majority of the game the Warriors relied on the legs of senior RB Tyler Davis and on the first drive that was evident with 5 carries getting inside the 10. Two more hard runs got ZCA to the Flame 1-yard line, but still that’s when ZCA encountered the first of many penalties. With 4th-and-goal the 1 the Warriors were flagged for False Start and proceeded to throw an incompletion.
It took until the 2nd quarter for ZCA to finish a drive, but it nearly ended the same of the opening possession. Once again Davis brought ZCA to the 1-yard line and once again they were flagged. Only difference the drive finally ended in pay dirt with Davis scoring on a 6-yard toss. The ensuing West Oaks possession gave ZCA more cushion with Andrew Felder running back a blocked punt for a 12-0 lead.
“They’re good kids, but that doesn’t make them discipline kids. And that’s on both sides of the ball. Doing what they want to do.” - ZCA coach Mike Smith
Coming out of the half is when momentum slowly went West Oaks way. Following a botch punt attempt in which Elijah Brown had the ball go over his head for a safety. That’s when West Oaks found their sense of urgency and slowly clawed back into the game. After only managing 44 first half yards. West Oaks nearly doubled that in the second half with 88 yards (53 passing). The Flame cut the deficit to 20-8 thanks to Rashad Green’s 14-yard TD catch with 10:23 remaining. West Oaks had a chance to cut into even further with 4:00 remaining at the ZCA 1-yard line thanks to two big pass plays by Josh Williamson to George McGhee. However a 4th down stop by FAU commit Malik Jones thwarted any chance of a comeback.
“Malik knee what they were gonna do by filling the gap. That was awesome. Cause if they score it’s a four point game with onside to ensue.” - exclaimed Smith
Jones contributed big on both sides of the ball with 2 TFLs, a sack and many pancakes. Davis set career highs in carries (28) and yards (158). To go along with 2 TDs, and a TFL and sack on defense. Total of 27 penalties were called Thursday night - 10 being called on ZCA.
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