When facing the Dr. Phillips Panthers, the Wekiva Mustangs mounted enough scoring threats for an outcome to be decided during the latter stages. Enough scoring threats for the first time this season never materialized into points though. Combined with the opponent consistently starting possessions with better than average field position continuing, Wekiva lost by a score of 35-6.

“Another game with a lot of mistakes and the scores are always hard to deal with,” Mustangs coach Doug Gabriel said. “However, progress is being made. This was the first contest we moved the ball with some consistency. When a team is starting form the ground, running plays in the opponent’s territory during the first half is noticeable and a difference from the previous four games.”

Turnovers directly ended four possessions inside the Panthers’ 40-yard line, including the red zone twice. A recovered fumble by Wekiva was partially responsible for the end of a fifth possession inside Dr. Phillips territory as well.

“This team is no different than any other with little experience and lots of youth,” Gabriel said. The team is listening to how. Yet, the actual application isn’t being executed. The ability to carry what is learned and executed properly during practice to the games and the much more intense environment develops over time. The team is thinking about the listening and in terms of a checklist, not acting and deciding based on repetition. 

"Moving the ball into the opponent’s territory more often is the result of reducing the mistakes though. Hopefully and most importantly, the team will learn the lesson of why the more consistent positive results. Understanding why works hand-in-hand with improvement.”

The Panthers have made a living throughout its history by focusing on creating damage after the initial contact during rushes and pass receptions. Success originates with snapping the ball quickly, usually less than seven seconds after the ball is placed on the field by the referees. Then the defense secures victory with a focus on playing to the situation of the onus is on the opponent to make plays and from ahead. The most recent contest against Wekiva was another in the long line of demonstrating how to execute the style and philosophical design to near-perfection.

Total yards were 270-141 in favor of the Panthers. Only 33 plays were run by Dr. Phillips though, gaining an average of 8.2 yards per carry. Up to the initial contact on rushes and reception, roughly 3.5 yards were gained on about half of the plays. Or a more direct measurement as far as the impact on Wekiva, an average of roughly 4.7 yards and 155 in total after the initial contact or reception was gained by Dr. Phillips. Yards gained after the initial contact or reception accounted for doubling the Mustangs’ amount of total yards gained.

A 7-0 lead was taken by Dr. Phillips only 1:20 into the contest, marching 45 yards on six plays. Zion Matthews rushing the last five yards and behind the center of the line, with a pounding effort.

Phynx Taylor turned the youth and inexperience facilitate mistake nature of the Mustangs’ roster into the next touchdown. A screen pass into one-on-one coverage and the right sideline was attempted. However, the ball was thrown behind the intended receiver instead of in front, thus a lateral and a rushing attempt. The receiver assumed the result was an incomplete pass, the play over and began walking back to the huddle. The loose ball was tracked and scooped up by Taylor. With no Wekiva defenders behind the line of scrimmage Taylor then ran 33 yards for the touchdown.

“Injuries have been a huge part of the story as well,” Gabriel said. “We seem to have bad juju. Way to many for a good team to overcome, let alone a team starting over.”

More than two-thirds of the 22 Mustangs starting the first contest have missed significant amounts of time due to injury.

Two touchdowns were scored by Matthews and via the ground game. The passing of two quarterbacks produced the two other touchdowns.

Isaiah McNish accounted for the Wekiva touchdown, bulling into the end zone at the end of a three-yard rush. One of the few players possessing experience playing at the varsity level, McNish was debuting for the 2025 season.

Wekiva hosts district rival Oviedo next. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, September 26 at Mustang Field. The contest is also during homecoming week.