By Justin Baltes, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
In Summary:
After a scoreless opening quarter, Apopka built a 14-0 halftime lead and added two more touchdowns in the third quarter. Goodling connected with Aiden Bolden and Jaylen Laster for scores, while Jakyvion Kemp contributed a rushing touchdown. The Blue Darters improved to 2-3 and will face Seminole High School next Friday.
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The Apopka Blue Darters turned a scoreless first quarter into a 28-7 win over the Horizon Hawks on Friday night, leaning on their running game and a big second quarter to take control. The Darters scored twice before halftime and added two more touchdowns in the third quarter to pull away.
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The game remained scoreless after the opening quarter, but Apopka found its rhythm in the second quarter and never looked back. The Blue Darters scored twice in the quarter to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.
Apopka opened the scoring when freshman quarterback Kai Goodling punched in a 1-yard touchdown run. The Darters then capitalized on a Horizon fumble when Le'Melle Griffin recovered at the Hawks' 33-yard line. Goodling quickly turned the takeaway into points, connecting with Senior Wide Receiver Aiden Bolden on a 33-yard touchdown pass to give Apopka a two-touchdown advantage.
While Apopka's offense began to click, penalties repeatedly stalled drives. The Darters were flagged eight times by late in the second quarter, including holding and defensive holding penalties. Apopka also turned the ball over on downs before halftime.
The Blue Darters came out of halftime and continued to lean on their running game. Horizon briefly created momentum with a blocked kick early in the third quarter, but Apopka answered with a long run from Sophomore Jaylen Laster, setting up another scoring opportunity.
Junior running back Jakyvion Kemp finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, extending Apopka's lead to 21-0. After an Apopka interception, Goodling connected with Laster for a 23-yard touchdown, pushing the advantage to 28-0 before the third quarter ended.
Goodling led Apopka's offense, contributing both on the ground and through the air. The Blue Darters also rotated quarterbacks throughout the game, with No. 7 Jaylen Laster seeing time under center and sparking the offense with his legs. Laster's first play in the wildcat package resulted in a 20-yard run.
Apopka's defense continued to make plays in the fourth quarter when junior David Wimberly intercepted a Horizon pass at the Hawks' 34-yard line.
Horizon finally broke through late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Anazia Woods connected with Christian Massanet on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Horizon added the extra point, cutting the deficit to 28-7, but Apopka closed out the game to secure the victory.
For Apopka, the victory showcased the team's ability to control the game with its ground attack while still creating explosive plays through the passing game. The Blue Darters also benefited from a defense that recorded multiple takeaways and kept Horizon off the scoreboard until the final minutes.
Apopka improved to 2-3 with the victory, while Horizon fell to 2-3. Apopka will be in action next Friday against a top-30-ranked team in the state, Seminole High School.
Key Points:
- Apopka defeated Horizon 28-7 to improve its record to 2-3.
- Goodling produced three touchdowns—one rushing and two passing.
- Bolden caught a 33-yard touchdown pass following a Horizon fumble.
- Kemp and Laster added second-half touchdowns as Apopka pulled away.
- Apopka’s defense forced multiple turnovers and held Horizon scoreless until late in the fourth quarter.
