On Thurs., Aug. 21, at 6 p.m., the varsity football team opened their 2025 season against Cypress Bay High School at Cumber Stadium. After a disappointing 2024 season, in which the team went 1-9, they were eager to start the year off strong. Cypress Bay, on the other hand, was coming off a 6-4 season.

“The team was feeling pumped and like we were going to win,” quarterback Sampsen Orlinsky (14) said.

The game started with a kickoff to Cypress Bay. Cypress Bay began by utilizing their ground game, letting the running back power the ball forward and bleed the clock. On the goal line, Cypress Bay capped off their drive with a short rushing touchdown; however, they failed to convert the extra point, leaving the scoreboard reading 6-0 in their favor.

To begin the second quarter, the varsity team attempted to establish a ground game of their own, with running back Jonah Lenamon (10) converting first downs. Unfortunately, the drive stalled out and the team was forced to punt.

After getting the ball back, Cypress Bay continued their ground assault. Despite the home team’s defense forcing third downs, Cypress Bay marched down the field, scoring a short rushing touchdown with eight minutes left in the quarter. Following this, Cypress Bay attempted a two-point conversion, but the ball was swatted away by defensive back Shane Zoberg (6), increasing Cypress Bay’s lead to 12-0.

On the kickoff, defensive back Aidan McIntrye (2) exploded for a kick return touchdown, which was called back for a block in the back penalty. The team was unable to generate any offense though, and their drive ended in a punt.

With under six minutes left in the half, Cypress Bay turned to an air raid attack. Despite the efforts of the defense, Cypress Bay quickly moved the ball down the field with a series of passes, concluding their drive with a touchdown pass. The extra point was converted, leaving the team down 19-0 in the dying moments of the first half.

In the two minute drill, the offense aimed to spark some momentum going into halftime. However, following a pair of first downs, the team fumbled the ball, giving Cypress Bay possession in the red zone with one second left. Cypress Bay capitalized on this, scoring another passing touchdown with no time left in the first half. The extra point was good and the team faced a 26-0 deficit going into halftime. While the Eagle Regiment marching band and color guard performed, the team regrouped and prepared for the second half.

“I think I played decent, I have a lot to fix, but I’m dedicated to my team,” defensive lineman Jacob LaPaglia (72) said.

However, the first drive of the second half proved no better for the offense. Just a couple minutes into the half, quarterback Jaxon Anger (18) threw an interception, which was returned for a touchdown, increasing Cypress Bay’s lead to 33-0.

On the following possession, the team failed to move the ball with both the run and pass game, and was once again forced to punt the ball away.

On defense, the team stood tall, with linebacker Keegan Lake (45) making a big hit on the third down to force a punt. On the offensive side, Lake switched gears, taking snaps at the running back and breaking multiple tackles to fight for extra yards. Still, the offense was unable to get any other offense going and the team was consequently forced to punt.

With a little over four minutes on the clock, Cypress Bay’s rushing attack commenced, as their running back broke free off the line of scrimmage and ran to the endzone for a long rushing touchdown. No other offensive action took place for either team the rest of the quarter, and the team went into the fourth quarter trailing 40-0.

In the fourth quarter, the team came out strong. Within the first two minutes, the offense faced a fourth down and goal in the red zone, and passed on a field goal to attempt the touchdown. This call paid off, as Anger found wide receiver Alaka’i Henderson (19) in the back of the endzone for a passing touchdown—the first of both the game and the season. Then kicker Brody Kefford (9) stepped up and nailed the extra point, making the score 40-7.

The Eagles’ defense also stepped up, forcing a punt on Cypress Bay’s next drive. The varsity team was not able to generate any more late offense, forcing them to punt back. The defense finished strong as defensive back Max Troy (31) intercepted a pass to end the game.

“For our next game, I’m going to be working with my hands more. I need to use my moves more with them. We’re ready to win,” LaPaglia said.

It was a difficult first outing for the varsity football team, falling to Cypress Bay by a score of 40-7. Despite the loss, the team showed flashes of their talent, and they remain confident going into the rest of the season. On Fri., Aug. 29, the team will seek their first win on the road at Cooper City High School.