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Warriors dominate from opening whistle

By David Pieklik, Citrus County Chronicle, 08/27/16, 11:15AM EDT

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LECANTO — Seven Rivers’ football season began with a kickoff return for a touchdown and ended with a 42-0 shutout of visiting Eagle’s View on Friday night at Warrior Park.

With the last few seasons a showcase of an overpowering running game with a struggling defense, it was the defense that helped set the tone Friday. After Dakota Pace returned the opening kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, the Warriors kept relentless pressure on the Class 2A Warriors from Jacksonville. 

Seven Rivers picked off four passes, forced a turnover on downs on three Eagle’s View possessions, and made the visitors punt on three other possessions. Eagle’s View was limited to minus-3 yards rushing and 78 passing yards.

It was the first official shutout for the Warriors at their stadium since it opened last season.

“Usually, it’s been our defense holding us back, but I’m confident in our coaches in what we’re doing this year and I’m just excited to see what we do,” senior running back Dakota Pace said after the game.

Outside linebacker Will Ellis, with an interception returned for 27 yards, added, “It’s just really good to know we have a defense this year. Our offense, we’ll keep building on it, we’ll keep improving and by the end of the year, we’ll be a machine.”

Coach Rayburn Greene said entering the spring, the team began working on its 4-3 defense, hoping it would shut opponents down and take some pressure off the offense. Those hopes were realized with a dominating performance that kept Eagle’s View out of the end zone.

“I was really proud of them; they really swarmed the ball,” Greene said of his defense. “It was one of the best performances I’ve seen.”

Seven Rivers notched two sacks to go with the interceptions — including two picks from Brendan Rooks — and racked up several tackles for losses. With a program that has produced numerous 1,000-yard rushers the past few seasons, its offense didn’t have to put in as much work to pull out the win, given great field position throughout the contest.

Pace ended the night with 14 carries for 63 yards and one touchdown, while senior quarterback Broughton Martin completed five of 10 passes for 89-yards and two touchdowns, running the ball in for another score.

Also scoring for Seven Rivers were Noah Bresson, Josh Iwaniec and Logan Fulford. The Warriors finished with 259 total offensive yards, with 89 passing and 170 rushing yards.

The team remains at home for their second game of the season next Friday with a matchup against Seffner Christian.