WYATT SISE

OPINION EDITOR

   The last few weeks have been tough for our varsity Dolphin football team, but we have got plenty more games to play, and plenty more opportunities to win. 

   The Dolphins suffered a major loss to Escambia, the number one ranked team in the area, in week four. The Escambia Gators defense won the game with four forced turnovers, including two pick sixes. The Gators locked down Trever Nelsen to under 100 rushing yards, and set up the Escambia offense to score 42 unanswered points by the end of the game. Escambia won, 42-0. 

   The Dolphins managed to slow the roll of the rampaging Wildcats at their away game on Friday the 13th. The Wildcats, who still hold a 3-0 record, had been on a scoring spree of 43-0 from their previous game, which was finally stopped by the Dolphins. The first half started off with Washington putting up 21 unanswered points, but a long touchdown pass from quarterback Ryland McCurdy to Devon Baldwin served to put the Dolphins on the board. The Dolphins were the first team to score against the Wildcats. Gulf Breeze ended up scoring 14 points in the third, with an unfortunate answer of 14 by Washington. The Dolphins put up 15 in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Wildcats, who won 42-29. 

    Solace came for the Dolphins at the away game against Choctawhatchee with one simple word: turnovers. The Dolphins managed to hold Choctaw to 7-7 with four minutes left in the first half, but then, according to Northwest Florida Daily News, Choctaw’s “wheels fell off.” 

   In the final four minutes of the half, the Dolphins were able to capitalize on two turnovers to score two touchdowns, bringing the score to 21-7. Senior Trever Nelsen was given the ball 34 times during the game, and single handedly scored three touchdowns.The Dolphins shut the Indians down late in the 4th to secure the first win of the season, 27-24.     

   At our home game against the Catholic Crusaders, the Dolphins fought hard against their visitors. The first quarter started close, but ultimately was a loss for Gulf Breeze.   

   In the last 4 weeks, Gulf Breeze has gone 1-3. On the surface, this may look discouraging, but the numbers say otherwise. Every one of the teams that  bested Gulf Breeze is undefeated. With the exception of Escambia, our team has consistently held opponents to a 2-score lead or less, and there is no telling what’ll happen in the coming weeks. 

   Our next varsity game is on October 4 against Fort Walton, a team that’s 0-3 in district match ups. 

   As long as our Dolphins can control the ball and avoid small mistakes, we should be able to win with strength. Besides, it is our homecoming game, so the student section will be in full support. 

   If you’re a football player, get hyped. If you’re a student, get loud. We can win this.