Wellen Park’s inaugural varsity football season hit its first real wall Thursday night in Sarasota, where Cardinal Mooney rolled to a 67-10 win over the previously unbeaten Eagles. Wellen Park came in 3-0 and even grabbed a 3-0 lead on a Donovan Childers field goal, but Seneca Hawthorne returned the ensuing kickoff the length of the field, and the defending Class 2A state champions took control from there.
Mooney leaned on senior running back Connail Jackson, who found the end zone on the ground, and senior quarterback Davin Davidson, who added a keeper. The Cougars built a 46-3 halftime lead and never eased up. Wellen Park sophomore quarterback Noah Wireman and the Eagles offense couldn’t find an answer against a defense built for a deep playoff run.
It was a tough night, but it doesn’t erase what Wellen Park has already done in year one. Other Thursday results around the Suncoast: Sarasota beat North Port 56-13, Venice shut out Lehigh 69-0, and Riverview blanked Lakewood Ranch 46-0. What do you think, Suncoast? Can Wellen Park bounce back and finish this first season with a winning record?
