By Cameron Valdez
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Academy at the Lakes seven-man football team dispatched Fort Pierce Golden Rule 68-14 at home Nov. 2 in the first round of the seven-man playoffs
The Wildcats (6-0) scored on the game’s opening play when cornerback Tony Arrington intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.
The academy defense didn’t let up from there, allowing only five first downs in the contest and giving up just one score. The unit set up the Wildcats’ offense inside the Golden Rule 20-yard line on four consecutive drives, all of which ended in touchdowns.
“We practiced for the skilled people (Golden Rule) has over there,” said academy coach John Castelamare. “They like to run a lot of reverses. I told them if they disciplined themselves and not attacked then we would be OK because we have pretty good athletes.”
The Wildcats offense was led by running back Evan Gordy, who had touchdowns on each of his first three carries of the night and racked up 97 rushing yard.
The academy went into the locker room ahead 49-7 and went to backups for much of the second half.
Not that the Wildcats slowed down.
The academy put up 19 more points to win the regional championship.
“It’s an honor,” Castelamare said. “We worked hard for this. Each step is going to be even harder. We will keep right on it.”
The Wildcats hosts Kissimmee City of Life Academy Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the state quarterfinals.
