The Steinbrenner High football team picked up the first varsity win in school history in a 13-7 defeat of Bloomingdale High. The victory was a little more special for the Warriors (1-4) because it came in front of their home crowd.
“It was great,” said Steinbrenner coach Floyd Graham. “The kids worked really hard for this and we got to do it with our fans … No one player made it happen. They all stepped up.”
For the majority of the season the Warriors defense had been ahead of the offense in execution, but that unit upped their play against Bloomingdale (1-4). Steinbrenner got on the board in the final seconds of the first half when quarterback Christian Carriere hit wide receiver Tobi Antigha with a five-yard touchdown pass. Carriere added a one-yard rushing score to put his team up for good.
“It was kind of a surprise that they stepped up so much,” said Graham about the offense. “We have a bunch of injuries on the offense and it was a lot of younger players doing the job.”
The Warriors defense held Bloomingdale to 78 offensive yards, 0 rushing.
Graham started the football program at Newsome High and knows how the first win can propel a team.
“Getting over that first win is a big step,” Graham said. “Things should get easier now because they don’t have to worry about when they’re going to get that first one.”
Steinbrenner next plays at St. Petersburg Catholic High Oct. 8.
