5 key takeaways from Week 1 of the Marion County football season
Temperatures around Marion county dropped for the first time in weeks and it’s hard to believe the football gods didn’t have something to do with. Clear skies and mid 80 temperatures were the perfect conditions for the first kick offs of the season.
The war for Highway 40 favored Dunnellon, a team that’s won its last nine skirmishes over West Port. Forest returned to form as they trounced North Marion for the first in three seasons.
Week 1 was a filled with dominant performances and question marks. Here are five things learned from the start of the 2023 season.
Missed a game? We got you covered: Final Scores: Get Marion County high school football results here
Covid sidelines two big games: Second Marion County football game canceled because of COVID outbreak
How did we do?: 5 Bold Predictions: What could happen during Week 1 of Ocala-area high school football
Dunnellon has Talent
You can run down a list of Tigers who received offers this summer. With pads on, they look the part of college football players. There’s size at every position and each has a skillset they weren’t shy to showcase on Friday.
Dylan Donahoe is a power runner with the quickness to make you miss in space. Jeffery Vickers follows suit as a runner who can barrel through a hole. Sean Martin is a versatile offensive player who blocks like he has something to prove.
Chris Henry is a big play ready to happen who plays every phase of the game. After watching their offensive line open holes and defensive line blow up the pocket is easy to see how dangerous this group can be.
North Marion needs time
The Colts may need a few games to look like the 2022 team. It’s hard to count North Marion out when you see their athletes, but it didn’t translate to on-field production Friday night.
A much less experienced group took the field than we’ve seen from the Colts in some time. Mistakes were made, but that’s to be expected while players adjust to life under the bright lights.
A new quarterback, young receivers, and fresh faces on defense are hard to overcome early in the season. The flashes are there, but it will take a few games before they put it all together.
Forest's epic offense continues with a twist
Forest and North Marion hit the under on the 50-point line. However, they combined for 43 points. 37 came from the Wildcats offense.
Where Forest’s offense differs from last year is the defense forcing turnovers. Each time the Wildcats forced a fumble with a shortened field, they capitalized with a touchdown.
Forest's offense becomes more threatening in 2023 when the defense makes it easier for VJ Poole to advance the ball.
West Port has a not-so-secret weapon
Dedrick Grady was a person of interest going into West Port’s game against Dunnellon. His open speed field and elusiveness are known commodities throughout central Florida.
His athletic gifts and West Port’s special teams blocking were the reason the Wolf Pack scored 12 points Friday night. He totaled an unofficial 162 yards of total offense before he left the field.
When you do things like that, you turn your competition into fans. Several Tigers couldn’t help but compliment Grady for his big night as a returner.
Covid could impact the season?
The latest COVID-19 news flashes across headlines like it’s 2020 all over again. Three School districts in Kentucky have canceled in-class meetings. Mask mandates for healthcare workers in several states are back.
For the first time in months, masks were present at sporting events. Several teams around the state cancelled season openers, including two in the Ocala area, as a new wave of infections hits Florida.
Time will tell if Covid will be a major player in the 2023 season. One thing is for sure, whether the disease’s role is big or small, it’s already moving the needle in week 1.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: 5 lessons from week 1 Marion County high school football
