Winter Haven gave up the first points on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They came out on top against the Sarasota Sailors by a score of 19-12. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Blue Devils.
Winter Haven's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Matwain Bryant led the charge by rushing for 57 yards and one score. An impressive showing, but Bryant really ramped things up playing D: he made six total tackles (3.0 for loss) and defended three passes in addition to snagging an interception which he returned one-yard for a touchdown.
Wins are hard to come by when you can't run the rock, something Winter Haven proved: they limited Sarasota to a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. The team can thank Vario McBride for the heroic effort on defense: he. Winter Haven didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 9.1.
When it comes to explaining why Sarasota lost, don't look at Jayden Rivers. Despite the final result, he picked up 30 receiving yards and one TD, and also punched in one rushing score.
Winter Haven's record now sits at 6-2. As for Sarasota, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 4-4 record this season.
Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Winter Haven will challenge Ridge Community at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The Blue Devils will be up against the Bolts' rather soft defense (which has allowed 28.13 points per matchup), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance. As for Sarasota, they will square off against Venice at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
