BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Keystone Heights High School’s Sept. 22 football game against Interlachen featured some early fireworks, with each team putting a touchdown on the board in the first two minutes, but at that point, the Indians’ defense had yet to step onto the field. When it did, that spelled trouble for the visiting Rams as Keystone won 46-8.
The Indians (2-2) got big plays offensively, with Cartez Daniels rushing for two scores and quarterback Baylor Ford throwing for another two, but the defense had its share of big plays as well with four takeaways (including an interception return for a score) and a blocked punt for a safety.
Interlachen, which scored on a kickoff return, was limited to less than 60 yards. Three of the Rams’ five first downs occurred on the game’s final drive.
After opening the season with losses of 35-0 and 49-26, Keystone now has two wins by a combined score of 95-8.
“I’m so proud of that defense,” Keystone Head Coach Steve Reynolds said. “Two great efforts in a row after having some rough times to start off with. The kids worked hard. They focused. They paid attention to the details. They got ready to play a ball game.”
Of course, the defense could’ve afforded to give up a little, thanks to an offense that averaged 11 yards per play.
It all amounted to two straight wins as the Indians now prepare to take on a tough Bradford team on Friday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Starke.
“They’ve been stacking up good days of practice and getting better every day,” Reynolds said. “I’m proud of their effort. I’m proud of their focus.”
Keystone’s Colton Hollingsworth recovered an onside kick to open the game. After two Daniels runs for a total of 12 yards, Ford connected with Jackson Parmeter for a 26-yard gain and first-and-goal at the 9. Daniels scored on a run from there at the 10:18 mark of the first quarter. Tyler Sapp added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
The Rams took the lead 13 seconds later, thanks to Raszir Phelps returning the ensuing kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown. Phelps’ successful run on the two-point conversion made it an 8-7 game.
Interlachen (0-5) forced the Keystone offense to go three-and-out on the following series, but a 65-yard Connor Guy punt pinned the Rams at their own 6.
The Keystone defense forced its own three-and-out, but the Rams’ punt was blocked by Josh Dowling. The ball rolled out the back of the end zone for a safety and a 9-8 Keystone lead.
After receiving the free kick because of the safety, the Indians put together a four-play, 45-yard scoring drive. Daniels had a 16-yard run on the first play, but was then dropped for a 4-yard loss on his next carry. Two plays later, though, Ford hit Andru Siemer in stride along the visitors’ sideline for a 32-yard touchdown pass. Sapp added the extra point for a 16-8 lead.
Approximately three minutes remained in the first quarter, but Keystone had more points to add to the scoreboard before entering the second quarter. Interlachen’s first play following Seimer’s touchdown reception was a fumble, which the Indians’ Talan Messina recovered. Keystone’s first play after the turnover was a 35-yard reception by Siemer to the Interlachen 13-yard line. Siemer finished with three catches for 77 yards.
The offense did stall after that, but Sapp kicked a 27-yard field goal to extend his team’s lead to 19-8.
Keystone came up with its second pick-six in two weeks when Kyle Perkins intercepted a pass on the Rams’ second series of the second quarter and returned it more than 40 yards to put the Indians up 25-8 at the 8:16 mark of the second quarter. Ford’s pass on the two-point conversion attempt was incomplete.
Interlachen picked up its first first down on its next series, but the Rams eventually punted after Dowling tackled a runner for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-2 play.
With the ball at their own 21, the Indians needed just two plays to find the end zone as Daniels, who finished with 150 yards on 17 carries, spun out of a tackle and made his way down the home sideline for a 79-yard touchdown with 3:02 remaining until halftime. Sapp kicked the extra point for a 32-8 lead.
The Rams recovered an onside kick to start the second half, but they ran only two plays, thanks to an interception by Hollingsworth. Three plays later, Van Zant, after a brief bobble, successfully caught a deep pass from Ford for a 52-yard touchdown. Sapp added the PAT, making the score 39-8.
Ford completed 5 of 13 passes for 155 yards.
Interlachen went for it on a fourth-and-3 play on the next series, but Messina made a tackle for a 4-yard loss. On the first play following the turnover on downs, Hollingsworth broke free for a 48-yard run to the 2-yard line. Hollingsworth, who had 74 yards on six carries, then scored on a run from there with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter. Sapp then completed his 4-for-4 night on extra-point kicks for the final 46-8 score.
Keystone’s defense created another turnover on a Parmeter interception, while Brody Stevens entered on offense and gained 26 yards on four carries.
In all, the Indians rushed for 225 yards on 31 carries.
The Indians’ upcoming game against Bradford is their first against District 6-2S competition. Bradford’s defense, which was stingy last season, is strong again. Opponents have scored a total of 20 points against the Tornadoes, with six of those points coming as the result of a special-teams play.
Bradford (4-0) had a bye last week after a 34-7 win over an Eastside team that defeated Keystone 35-0.
Last year’s meeting between the Indians and Tornadoes was a 38-0 Bradford win.
“We’re going to be going there for their homecoming,” Reynolds said. “They had a bye this week, so they’ll be well-rested. They’re a great club. We’re excited to go over there and take on the Tornadoes.”
