The North Marion Colts were down one score after Matt Dial’s pinpoint pass found Damir Williams streaking down the left side of the field. With that play the Colts were down 13-6, not only in striking distance but had confidence they could turn the tide of the game before halftime.
That’s when Vanguard made the needle scratch. TJ Lewis burned through his second 30-plus yard touchdown run. With 60 seconds left to go in the half it looked like the Colts would have time to gameplan for a second half comeback.
Then Vanguard’s special teams unit entered the chat. A block punt turned into Travis Smith’s first touchdown of the season. Less than 40 seconds later the Knights were in the end zone again after the defense recovered a fumble giving Desean Freeman an opportunity to score on the first play of the drive.
“They jumped out early,” North Marion coach Jerimaiha Gates said. “We weathered a storm and then self-inflicted wounds. I thought we talked about that before prior to we talked about it after the force. You cannot self-inflict and expect to win football games against teams that’s equal or better talent than you.”
The second half was much less eventful, except for defensive tackle Cameron Williams (who got his first interception of his high school football career). When the scoreboard hit double zero Vanguard stood in the winner’s circle 48-7, still undefeated.
The program seeks perfection
An old adage says practice makes perfect. While the Knights weren’t perfect tonight, they made up for it when they weren’t.
They were able to negate a second half fumble mainly because they were already up five touchdowns and it still wasn’t enough for the head man in charge of Vanguard football.
“I’m never satisfied,” Vanguard coach Edwin Farmer said. “I don’t want a single mistake.”
That message reminds us that Vanguard is on a mission that extends far beyond tonight’s game. The Knights will never hand wave a rival. With the talent in this county, you can’t. What that message conveys is whether it’s Week 7 or round two of the playoffs Farmer wants his program playing its best football.
TJ Lewis’ progression
The ceiling was always high for Vanguard quarterback, TJ Lewis. That was obvious after he was named Star Banner offensive player of the year in his first year starting.
Now 70% through the season all the work he’s done in the film room and on the practice, field was on full display against North Marion. He dissected the court defense for a pair of rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns.
That stat line has become routine night for Vanguard leaders in rushing yards in total touchdowns. It’s just as routine as him seeing an opening in a three-high defense and riding it into a Vanguard’s first touchdown of the night.
Dial deserves some love
I know we’re focusing a lot on the quarterback play tonight but that happens when we’re talking about two of the best guys under center in the Ocala-area play. Especially when one of the two quarterbacks have played for both teams.
North Marion quarterback Matthew Dial showed he can be as elusive as anyone when the pocket is collapsing. It’s one thing to do against an average defense but in the last two weeks Dial’s escaped the pocket and made plays downfield.
“I was very intentional this week with him about breaking the pocket,” Gates said. “Staying in the pocket, working the pocket. I thought he did a phenomenal job tonight working up in the pocket, extending plays, not taking off with his legs or not breaking the pocket, scrambling, and shutting down his options to pass. Kid is crazy strong.”
For many quarterbacks getting out of the pocket means tucking the ball and putting your running shoes on. Dual on the other hand is throwing deep passes while rolling to the left and right with a board of defenders on his heels.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Vanguard football stays undefeated in the battle of Marion County’s top quarterbacks
Reporting by Allen Pettigrew Jr., Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
