Hagerty, Tohopekaliga shine in shortened spring football game
OVIEDO, FLORIDA – Not even a 1-1/2-hour lightning delay could stop the stars from shining on Thursday night when Hagerty hosted Tohopekaliga for a spring football game.
The Huskies, fresh off an impressive 8-3 playoff season, showcased a fast and impressive run game, while Tohopekaliga, coming off a 6-4 season, put on a passing exhibition in a 14-14 tie of a weather-shortened contest.
Anthony White, a rising junior running back, zipped 3-yards for a touchdown, and Jalon Lewis sprinted 13 yards for a score to lead a dynamic running game for Hagerty. Both showed great acceleration off the handoff and hit the holes hard.
The rushing attack is a marked contrast to last year’s Huskies team that shined behind the passing of record-setting quarterback Anthony Benzija, who is now at Stetson, and multiple talented wide receivers.
“I was extremely proud of our running game,” said Hagerty coach Steve Mikles. “We really have basically five new starters on the offensive line. I thought the way we ran the ball with Jalon Lewis and Anthony White, I think that’s going to be one of our strengths next year.
“We have a quarterback (Caden Mitchell), that’s his first varsity experience,” Mikles said. “He had some jitters. But I think he threw some good balls at times. I think we’re just going to get better over the summer.”
The schools traded touchdowns throughout the game, and overcame some expected penalties with big-play ability.
Tohopekaliga, out of Kissimmee, showed it will feature a lethal passing game again with Meassick, who already has offers from Florida, Marshall and Wake Forest, to name a few. He showed great poise in the pocket and perfect touch on numerous deep balls.
Last year, Meassick passed for 3,044 yards and 38 TDs.
He lofted a beautiful TD pass to Delvin Pryor down the left sideline early in the game, and repeatedly showed nice accuracy for the Tigers.
“He did a phenomenal job last year,” said Tohopekaliga coach Anthony Paradiso of Meassick. “The receivers were a little off, but we made some plays. We just got to clean a lot of things up. But, you know, I’m proud of the kids. Everyone is healthy; that’s all we can ask for.”
Tohopekaliga quarterback Sabby Meassick (8) showed off his big right arm, which 3,044 yards and 38 touchdown passes last fall, in Thursday's spring game against Hagerty.
Photo by Jeff Gardenour
Meassick seemed ready for more after the game concluded. “I thought we played great,” he said. “We came out a little bit shaky but tightened up towards the end. I’m glad we scored 14 points.
“Our defense played really great,” Meassick said. “I’m looking forward to the fall.”
Tohopekaliga proved opportunistic on defense, for sure. Linebacker Luis Figueroa raced to the end zone on a 50-yard scoop and score to highlight an aggressive showing by the Tigers, who appear to be one of Osceola County’s top teams heading into the summer.
“Coach Mikles did a great job setting it up,” Paradiso said. “We got out here and got to play a little bit. That’s all we could ask for. It wasn’t a normal football game. But we treat it as it gives the kids some opportunities.”
