The Chiefs didn’t open up their first home game the way they would’ve liked to. Lake Worth’s Jeremy Kennedy took the opening game kick-off 80 yards for a touchdown and gave the Trojans a 7-0 lead. The Chiefs didn’t allow a kickoff past the 25-yard line after that touchdown.
The first half was pretty much all Santaluces. The first score for the Chiefs came from a four-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Luis Martinez tying the game at 7-7. The Chiefs defense held the Trojans to a three-and-out on their first offensive drive which led to an eight yard touchdown by senior Bernard Eberhardt and a 14-7 lead to end the first quarter. Another defensive stop lead to a 58 yard touchdown pass from Martinez to Miami University prospect, senior Darrell Langham. The Chiefs would go into the half leading 24-14.
The second half was a completely opposite game. The first touchdown of the half came after Martinez threw an interception in the end zone giving Lake Worth the ball at their own 20 yard line. The ensuing play was an 80 yard touchdown run right up the middle.
“The interception really hurt us,” said Coach Drinkwater, “we should’ve scored a touchdown. It was a huge miscommunication.”
It was the first of two second half touchdown runs by Trojan running back Donte Fils-Aime. The second gave Lake Worth a 28-24 lead.
“Defensively we pooped the bed [in the third quarter],” said Drinkwater, “we had some major let downs.”
The Chiefs came back with a 22-yard touchdown by Eberhardt with 3:39 left in the game and the defense held up on two straight drives to hold on to the win.
The final drive by Lake Worth was somewhat controversial. Instead of spiking the ball to stop the clock and kick a game-tying field goal, the Trojans went for it all and fell short on an incomplete pass in the end zone as time expired. If the game kept going into overtime, the Trojans would have had the momentum and could have possibly given the Chiefs their first loss of the season.
The Chiefs’ week four matchup will be up against district rival Park Vista. Park Vista is coming off its second straight win since losing to Ohio powerhouse Colerain. Last year, the Chiefs were shutout 14-0 when they visited the Cobras.
A big problem for the Chiefs this week was maintaining the speed of Lake Worth who broke out for two 80 yard touchdowns and 50 yard completion to set up a near comeback on their last drive. Park Vista’s Emmanuel Smith was on the other end of an 88 yard touchdown pass while Chauncey Mason (Auburn running back/Park Vista alum Tre Mason’s little brother) took a punt 77 yards for a touchdown.
“We’ve had [Emmanuel’s] cousin Javaris (senior defensive back) simulate Emmanuel’s style of play and speed all week,” said Drinkwater, “that’s as close as we’re going to get to him.”
Santaluces has always taken pride in its defense, but after nearly throwing a 24-14 lead to the Trojans, there’s a big question as to whether or not they can contain an explosive Park Vista offense. The Chiefs will look to defend their 2-0 start at home which may give the Chiefs a bit of an emotional advantage against the Cobras.
