Timber Creek continued its mastery over an east Orange County neighbor on Monday night, pounding previously unbeaten East River 31-6 in a game that was postponed from Friday because of Hurricane Dorian.
Adrian Florez ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns, Jonathan Cabral rushed for two scores and Josh Sink had a 48-yard kickoff return off an onside kick to lead the Wolves (2-1). Cabral ran for two TDs and Florez had one in staking the Wolves to a 19-0 halftime lead.
Timber Creek won against the Falcons (2-1) for the ninth consecutive time on the field behind a powerful running game and tenacious defense and special-teams play that combined to force three turnovers.
‘I thought we did some good things,” Timber Creek coach Jim Buckridge said. “We were a little sloppy at times. They were tough after missing last week. Coming out on a Monday night this time of day and with only three days of practice … they did some good things. But we got some things we can work on.”
Timber Creek officially leads the series 8-1, with the one loss a game that it forfeited in 2017 due to an ineligible player.
The Wolves scored their first two touchdowns following East River miscues. A muffed punt return by East River set up the Wolves at the Falcons’ 29-yard line. Four plays later, Cabral scored on a 1-yard run.
The Wolves’ Trey Lubin then intercepted a pass on East River’s next possession. Three plays later, Florez took a direct snap and scored from the 2-yard line for a 13-0 lead with 3 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first quarter. Florez added a 3-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Timber Creek quarterback Jake Johnson completed 7 of 16 passes for 107 yards.
The Wolves Creek intercepted two passes and held the Falcons to 163 total yards, just 47 in the first half. East River got 56 yards rushing from Graylann Holland.
Monday’s game marked the second consecutive season that East River started 2-0 but then lost to Timber Creek.
Timber Creek 31, East River 6
At Timber Creek High School
FIRST QUARTER
TC: Jonathan Cabral 3 run (Alex Davis kick), 5:55 left.
TC: Adrian Florez 2 run (kick failed), 3:11.
SECOND QUARTER
TC: Cabral 1 run (pass failed), 4:06.
THIRD QUARTER
TC: Florez 3 run (pass failed), 6:09.
FOURTH QUARTER
ER: David Rainey 9 pass from Jason Dozier (kick failed), 2:13.
TC: Josh Sink 48 KO return (kick blocked), 2:03.
Next games, Sept. 13: East River, home vs. Wekiva; Timber Creek at Hagerty
