The Winter Park Football Team Celebrates Senior Night and a Win

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Alexandra Miller, Sports Column Editor

The Winter Park Wildcats took the field for their last regular season home game and senior night Thursday night. The Wildcats took the win by crushing Colonial 49-0. They are now 6-2, and are preparing to face off against the Timber Creek Wolves, who are also 6-2 , this Thursday night at Timber Creek. The Wildcats have to bring the same energy they brought against Colonial to Timber Creek this Thursday in order to win.

The Wildcats deferred in the first quarter and from that moment on they meant business. Jamari Shaw #4 was not stopped by Colonial’s defense, and put his legs to work with some long runs. TJ Shifflet #11 played a valuable role on the offensive side by positioning the team to land a number of touchdowns during the first quarter. Torian Roberts #8 was the next to get a touchdown followed by an interception executed by Wil Watson #20, which ended the first quarter with a score of 21-0.  

The second quarter was led by yet another interception that resulted in a touchdown by Torian Roberts #8 – his second of the night. That finished the first half with a score of 28-0.

The second half started with Colonial punting the ball to the Wildcats. Jamari Shaw’s #4 run-game came to his benefit when he scored the next touchdown. That ended the 3rd quarter with a score of 42-0.

In the fourth quarter, Colonial was set to punt when Neil Vertilus #15 blocked their attempt and secured a return from it, which allowed the Wildcats to tack on yet another touchdown. Two caught interceptions followed with one by Jackson Winberg #81 and another made by Walker Adkinson #10 resulted in another drive – bringing the game to a close with a score of 49-0. 

Coach Miller, the Wildcats Offensive Line Coach, stopped by to answer a couple of questions. When asked who he was the most proud of and why, he said, “I am proud of the seniors because this is their night and they’ve been very focused.” Next, he was asked what he has to say to the seniors about their final home game and he replied,” As an alumnus from Winter Park High School and as a person who’s been able to enjoy senior night before that, it’s all about being a senior and a Winter Park Wildcat.” 

The regular season might be coming to an end but the Wildcats are focused on the playoffs and what’s to come. They have the dedication to go the distance, and with the rest of Winter Park High School behind them, hopefully they will do just that.