Two teams enduring winless seasons battled it out Friday night with Bishop Verot coming away a 37-7 winner over North Fort Myers at Moody Field.
Sophomore quarterback Quinn Farrell provided a solid game with his arm while the runningback committee of Leslie Green, Marc Kripinsky and D.J. Oceant-Kelly provided ground support with a combined 216-yard rushing effort.
North was unable to get any offense going with three possessions each resulting in a punt in the first quarter.
The Vikings, whose initial drive showed power football with the offensive line clearing holes for Kripinsky six times and capping the drive with a five-yard rumble into the end zone for the first score.
The Red Knights began the second quarter much the same as the first, with a punt. Once again the Vikings ground game advanced the ball, but stalled at North's 11-yard line. The Vikings settled for a Jimmy Dwyer 27-yard field goal to go up 10-0.
After an onside kick attempt, North squandered excellent field position when junior quarterback Brandon Makar threw an interception by junior Michael Johnsrud.
Verot wasted little time in capitalizing as Farrell threw in to double coverage, but found Oceant-Kelly who pulled away from his pursuers and in to the end zone. Dwyer's extra-point made it 17-0.
The Vikings drove 70 yards in four plays, featuring a cutting 45-yard run by Oceant-Kelly that set up a simple four-yard TD for Kripinsky. Verot went to the locker room leading 24-0 at the half.
The Vikings went into ball control mode in the second half and methodically advanced via the run. The first lengthy drive ended with Kripinsky going in from three yards out.
The lone bright spot for North came in the third quarter. Aided by a couple of penalties and strong play by junior Brian Byrd, Makar found sophomore Jake Duff open over the middle for a 36-yard TD pass for their only score.
The Vikings continued to pound the ball and after four straight carries, Green found the end zone to close out the scoring.
North continues to try for that elusive first win hosting Riverdale next week. Verot, meanwhile, hosts Fort Myers.
Bishop Verot 7 17 7 6 - 37
North FM 0 0 0 7 - 7
1st Quarter
BV - Kripinsky 5 run (Dwyer kick)
2nd Quarter
BV - FG, Dwyer 27
BV - Oceant-Kelly 65 pass from Farrell (PAT Dwyer)
BV - Kripinsky 4 run (Dwyer kick)
3rd Quarter
BV - Kripinsky 3 run (Dwyer kick)
4th Quarter
NFM - Duff 36 pass from Makar (Black kick)
BV - Green 1 run (kick failed)
