Seahawks start season with blowout win against Bulls
By Kyle LoJacono
The Sunlake High football team was able to run up and down the field en route to a 43-6 road win against Wiregrass Ranch High.
The Seahawks (1-0) scored on the opening drive of the year and never let Wiregrass Ranch (0-1) get closer than two points.
“We got up early and were able to control the clock by running,” said Sunlake coach Bill Browning. “The defense shut them down after they scored on their first drive and really everyone did just what they needed to do for us to win.”
Before the season Browning said the Seahawks would be more have a more balanced offense after relaying on the run last year, but that did not take place in the first game. Sunlake ran the ball on 47 plays while throwing just 13.
The Seahawks scored touchdowns on their first three drives, including a two-point conversion on the first drive of the season. The Bulls scored on their opening drive, but missed their attempt at two points.
“We’ve got to get a lot better,” said Wiregrass Ranch coach Jeremy Shobe. “Sunlake did a great job and I give them a lot of credit. I wish them luck in their district because it’s a tough one. They’re strong and they executed while we turned the ball over and didn’t play very fundamental defense.”
Shobe said he saw his team start playing better on defense in the second half sacking Sunlake quarterback Jacob Jackson twice, but by then it was too late. Wiregrass Ranch also lost two fumbles and turned the ball over on downs on an attempted fake punt and going for it on fourth down in the second half.
The number of possessions for Wiregrass Ranch was reduced thanks to the effectiveness of the Sunlake rushing attack. Every touchdown for the Seahawks was a rushing score, including three for junior running back Rashaud Daniels.
“It was a team effort,” Daniels said. “We came out with a mindset of winning and that’s exactly what we did. We’ve worked so hard this summer and it made us closer as a team.”
Daniels finished with 103 rushing yards. The running back had to fight through cramping that forced him to go in and out of the lineup to stretch his legs all night.
“It was bad, but I couldn’t let my teammates down,” Daniels said. “I had to go out there and step up and fight through it.”
Browning said of Daniels, “He showed a lot of heart out there tonight. The offensive line was able to open some big holes and gave Jacob (Jackson) time to work in the pocket.”
Also making big contributions in the running game was senior fullback Craig King, who had rushing scores of 21 and one yards. He had never scored a touchdown before.
“It’s awesome man,” King said. “We’ve never beaten this team and this is the greatest feeling in my life right now … The offensive line had a lot to do with our running attack being so good. They are so big and strong and make it easy to pick up big chunks of yards.”
The last Seahawks score was on an 18-yard run by junior Jerome Samuels. Sunlake had 279 rushing yards against the Wiregrass Ranch defense.
Bulls senior quarterback James Tringali started the game off efficiently, completing six of seven passes for 38 yards in guiding his offense 80 yards on Wiregrass Ranch’s first drive. He capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Nick Lomba.
Tringali and the offense could not muster much more on offense in the first half, going three and out on the next three drives.
It is first time the Seahawks have won a season opener in program history. Sunlake has a bye next week before playing at Hudson High Sept. 17.
