Last season, Vanguard football walked off the field, reaching heights that the Knights hadn't reached since Dante Culpepper had walked the halls. In Vanguard's season opener Friday night, the Knights lost 24-7 against top ten class 3A ranked Buchholz.
It's Vanguard football's first season-opening loss since 2014. They haven't lost a home opener since 2008's winless season.
On paper this team was not poised to end week 1 with what foreshadows like a bad omen. This team barely has grass stains on its jersey. Let's dissect week one for what it is moments after the final buzzer sounds.
“We’re coming together, it’s slow, but it’s a project,” Vanguard head coach Edwin Farmer said. “Of course, Buchholz is a good team and we’re a very competitive team too. We’ve got something we’ve got to pull together.”
Into the fire
It's human nature to compare one thing to another. Last year's defense was akin to a college team and spilled out of the backfield with talent. Seven of them will suit up for their first game next Saturday.
They were seven battle-tested seniors with years of deep playoff runs under their belts. Players like James Bethea and Dominic Burgess made their varsity debuts. Amani Armstrong and Lazaro Abuin both have varsity experience, but neither played in Vanguard's system last year.
"When you get here, it’s loud, and you have to figure it out, but they will," Coach Farmer said. “Freddie (Fred Gaskin III) was great to have. Can Powell, Zamarian Farmer, Johntavious Davenport, Jamir Watkins, Chris Allen, those guys were good but they too were at a point where they struggled.”
There’s talent here. It may be young, but it's talent ready to be molded by the opponents they'll face. Williams and Trace Jackson deserve hat tips today for their play. These young knights won't forget this feeling. The seniors who experienced last year's ride won't let them.
Bright spots
Vanguard had a hard time finding the end zone. The Knights had several drives that looked golden but were short of pay dirt. On the bright side, when Vanguard's athletes touched the ball, they moved the chains.
King James slipped away for a beautiful catch. Nasir Allen had flashes and scored the Knights's lone touchdown by diving on a fumble. Matthew Dial reminded the county he could make plays with his legs in his first game under center with the Knights.
On the defensive side of the ball, this team made impressive stands at the goal line. In the open field, Buchholz had success moving the ball. Within ten yards, a battering ram named Bernard Little made a splash with two tackles for loss.
Special teams had their moments as well. Gerald "Juice" Walton and the returning team had several carries of 15-plus yards. Daniel Lee Johnson Jr. looked menacing, rushing down the field at gunner. Johnson is listed at 6'2, 265 pounds, and it might be time to update the height.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Vanguard drops first season opener in a decade against Buchholz
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