CRESTVIEW — If Shoal River Middle School’s football team repeats as Okaloosa County champions the Mustangs will be able to look back on Thursday’s game against cross town rival Davidson as a strong starting point.
In what can only be considered a complete effort Shoal River forced five Panther turnovers turning four into touchdowns on the way to a 40-0 win.
“That (the turnovers) were unfortunate for them, but fortunate for us,” Mustang Coach Ryan Gillis said. “They (the Mustangs) took advantage of every opportunity. When you give a pretty good football team opportunities like that we capitalize.
“Hats off to them (the Panthers). They are going to be a force to be dealt with later in the season. We are going to get back to work Monday and try to get ready for the Ruckel Rams.”
Davidson’s turnover woes started on the first Panther possession when a fumble that was recovered by Shoal River’s Patrick Dale stopped a drive at the Mustang 29-yard line.
Shoal River’s first possession was unsuccessful as the Mustangs picked up one first down before having to punt. It was the only time in the game that Shoal River failed to score.
The Panthers proceeded to turn the ball over on downs inside their own 40. Two plays later Mustang quarterback Aaron Schlipp hit Rawson Mack with a 37-yard touchdown pass. Schipp converted the 2-point conversion and the route was on.
One Davidson turnover after another led to Mustang points.
The Panthers fumbled on their ensuing possession after Shoal River’s first score. Jaheim James recovered the lose ball for the Mustangs at the Shoal River 32 setting up a 68-yard drive to the end zone.
Chris Johns, who was the game’s leading rusher, took the ball 39 yards for Shoal River to flip the field and move the ball to the Panther 30.
Six plays later Jace Accurso scored from a yard out Johns added the 2-pont conversion.
Rawson Mack intercepted a Chase Moulton pass and returned it inside the Davidson 30 to set up the next Shoal River touchdown.
Schlipp hit Johns with a 21-yard touchdown pass and Johns converted the 2-point conversion on a run that had to be seen to be believed.
Cade Kootsouradis intercepted a pass from his position on the Mustang defense line and returned it to the Davidson 15-yard line. Five plays later Tyron Washington barreled across the goal line from a yard out. Mack scored on the 2-point conversion as Shoal River led 32-0 at the half.
Davidson rolled the dice and went for an onside kick to open the third quarter. The Panthers recovered the kick, but that was about the only thing they did all night. Two plays later a Taylor Scarbrough fumble was recovered by Dale at the Mustang 27 with 8:02 left in the third quarter. Sixteen plays, 73 yards and 10 minutes later later
Washington scored the final touchdown of the game.
Playing on a short field most of the game, the Mustangs managed 223 yards in total offense on 40 plays.
Schlipp was 3-of-4 passing good for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
Scarbrough led the Panthers in rushing and receiving. He gained 22 yards on the ground and another 55 through the air on three catches. Moulton was 5-of-16 passing with 85 yards and two interceptions.
Davidson Coach Chris Small didn’t have much to say after the disappointing loss.
“We are not as good as I thought we would be,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mustangs take advantage of Davidson turnovers (PHOTOS)