The boys varsity football team has started off the year with a solid 4-2 record with four more games on the schedule. Despite a frustrating 52-3 loss to Lake Mary on Sept. 27, they’ve had some high points this season, including a 46-29 victory on the road against Timber Creek the week before.
Heading into the Timber Creek game, their third win in a row, offense has been a big strength for the team as they put up a total of 46 points. They started off the first quarter scoreless, but jumped out to a 21-14 lead to finish off the first half. After scoring a touchdown in the third quarter, they put the nail in Timber Creek’s coffin in the fourth quarter, adding on 21 more points for the victory. The running game was an especially bright spot, led by senior running backs, Porter Williams and Jalon Lewis. Williams rushed for 146 yards and scored two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Lewis ran for 147 yards and also scored two touchdowns.
“I’ve been very focused on just doing my job and winning, one game at a time,” Lewis said. “As long as everybody stays focused, we’ll be good.”
Head coach Steve Mikles points to Williams, who leads the team with nine touchdowns, as one of the biggest surprises this year on the team.
“Basically all spring he was hurt, so we didn’t really know how he was going to be, and he’s turned out to be probably one of the best backs in Central Florida,” Mikles said.
Williams put on a show in the season opener against Lake Howell, which included an impressive 74-yard run. He rushed for a total of 161 yards and scored two touchdowns on two carries to help lead the team to victory.
“I think from here, as we face more difficult teams, you really have to take it up a notch with the intensity. But other than that, I would say we’ve started off pretty good,” Williams said.
Adding to the overall strength of the offense is quarterback Caden Mitchell. The senior has thrown ten touchdown passes this season. Mitchell said that the team has been “exceeding expectations” this year. He has been excelling this season, throwing over 1000 yards, while averaging 202.2 passing yards per game.
The offense shined as Hagerty won three in a row against Tohopekaliga, Pine Ridge, and Timber Creek. This was highlighted by back-to-back 49 point wins over Pine Ridge and Timber Creek. Mitchell led the victory against Pine Ridge, syncing with senior wide receiver Bryson Bock for three touchdowns and 101 receiving yards.
While the offense has been strong, the defense is working to improve.
“We have a lot of people on defense that are first-year starters, that haven’t been out on the field that much, so just getting them experience would be beneficial,” Mikles said.
The inexperience of the defense showed in a district match against Lake Mary on Friday night, as Lake Mary scored 52 points in a blowout loss. Starting in the first quarter, Hagerty allowed 31 points. Hagerty’s defense was able to keep Lake Mary in check, but this did not last. The defense was unable to hold them down in the second half as Lake Mary scored 14 points in the third quarter and seven more points in the fourth. Lake Mary quarterback Noah Grubbs, a Notre Dame commit, threw for five touchdowns in the first half. Although the defense struggled, a game highlight was senior Noah Mecabe intercepting the Notre Dame commit’s throw in the second quarter.
In addition, despite the defensive woes, the team has yet to have had back-to-back losses.
“I think our team has played with a lot of unity,” Williams said. “We’re doing a good job facing adversity and staying resilient.”
The team looks to put this loss aside and get back on track for their game against Oviedo on Friday. This will not be easy, considering Hagerty’s poor track record against Oviedo historically. With a disappointing 3-14 record against Oviedo in past years, and Oviedo’s recent 52-27 victory over Wekiva, Hagerty definitely has their work cut out for them.
