Seasons end abruptly for Blue Darters, Mustangs
The Timber Creek Wolves rallied from a 39-27 deficit with two touchdown passes in the final six minutes, and two intercepted passes in the last three minutes to shock the undefeated Apopka Blue Darters 40-39 at Roger Williams Field. While across the county, the Wekiva Mustangs also lost to the Winter Park Wildcats 30-21. The losses end the season for both Apopka schools abruptly and in stunning fashion.
The Blue Darters got off to a rocky start when the Wolves recovered an onside kick to start the game, and two plays later senior quarterback Brandon Garcia hit Cameron Meehan on a 57-yard-touchdown pass. After an Anthony Pulido extra point, the Wolves led 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Pulido chipped another short kick over the Apopka line, which fell short and was fumbled by Apopka and recovered by Timber Creek at the Apopka 40-yard-line. Seven plays and three minutes later, senior running Peter Hayes-Patrick scored on a two-yard touchdown run. The kick made it 14-0.
Apopka rallied behind senior quarterback Demetri Burch's two touchdown passes and three touchdown runs and led 39-27 late into the fourth quarter.
However Garcia rallied the Wolves with two touchdown passes of his own - a 63-yarder to Meehan with 5:32 left in the fourth quarter, and a 23-yarder to Meehan again with 2:21 remaining to take the lead 40-39.
Apopka had two chances to rally, but interceptions by Burch ended both drives - the final one only 23 yards from the end zone.
The stunning loss ends a fairytale season for Apopka, which had come-from-behind victories over Dr. Phillips and Wekiva to preserve a perfect 9-0 regular season. They finish the year at 9-1.
The Wekiva Mustangs were also shocked after blasting Winter Park 35-7 in the regular season, only to lose in the playoff rematch 30-21. Their season ends with a 7-4 record, their first time in the class 8A post season.
