by St. Francis Academy needed just one half to remind everyone why they’re ranked No. 2 in the country, cruising to a 38-6 win over the Vero Beach Fighting Indians in a game that saw a heavy dose of explosive plays, a typical Florida weather delay, and a Vero Beach squad forced to adjust on the fly.
The Panthers didn’t just win, they showed why they are one of the best teams in the nation from the opening whistle, overwhelming Vero Beach with speed on the perimeter and a defense that made life miserable for a Fighting Indians offense already dealing with a shakeup at quarterback.
The Fighting Indians came into the night already dealing with problems. Notre Dame commit and star quarterback Champ Monds was ruled out just days before kickoff with a shoulder injury, putting the spotlight on freshman Makai White into his first varsity start under the lights against a Panthers defense that had no intention of taking it easy on the newcomer.
And in true Florida fashion, the action was interrupted before it ever really got going. After the opening drive of the game, a lightning delay halted play for roughly an hour, sending both sidelines scrambling for cover before the two teams could settle back in.
Once the game resumed, it was all Panthers, and it was clear one of the best teams in the nation wasn’t going to let a long stoppage cool off their intensity. St. Francis wasted little time building a lead, as Nicco Giovanni opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal to make it 3-0. Quarterback Justin Merriman, who would go on to finish 12-of-20 for 199 yards and three touchdowns, then found Samir Edwards for a 15-yard touchdown to push the margin to 10-0.
The Panthers kept the big plays coming, as a 44-yard jet sweep to Vegas Brown made it 17-0. Moments later, the St. Francis defense got in on the action when Cary Spires housed a pick six to stretch the lead to 24-0. Vero Beach almost got on the board when a 37-yard field goal attempt from Jackson Barsalou sailed short, keeping the score at 24-0, but St. Francis made the Indians pay immediately. On the very next play, Merriman connected with Amir McBride on an 80-yard screen pass that McBride took to the house, extending the lead to 31-0.
Daz’mir Giles capped the outburst with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to make it 38-0, and it looked like the Panthers might pitch a shutout. Vero Beach finally got on the board late, powered by freshman Ryker Ellis, who threw a 29-yard fade route to Sebastian Cabrera down to the one-yard line. On the very next play, as time expired, Jermonty Kimbrough punched it in from a yard out for the Fighting Indians’ only score of the night, setting the final at 38-6.
Player of the Game: Justin Merriman
Merriman put together a masterful performance under center for the Panthers. He finished 12-of-20 through the air for 199 yards and three touchdowns, leading an offense that put points on the board nearly every time they touched the field. Even with an interception on his ledger, Merriman’s ability to push the ball downfield and find his playmakers in space was the driving force behind the Panthers’ dominant night. For a St. Francis squad that showed no signs of a letdown after an hour-long weather delay, Merriman set the tone from start to finish, and reminded the country, exactly why this Panthers team is one of the best in the nation.
