St. Cloud Bulldogs Dominate In 45-0 Win Over Innovation Bulls

St. Cloud High School’s Logan King fired three touchdown passes in just over a quarter and a half of work and the Bulldog defense pitched a shutout in a 45-0 win over Innovation High School in Friday night’s exhibition Kickoff Classic at Tom Gannarelli Field.

“A lot of good, some not so good,” St. Cloud coach Mike Short, who led the Bulldogs to an 8-3 record last season, said of the contest.  “The dropped passes, penalties and three touchdowns called back in the first half were a little discouraging, but our offensive production was pretty good and I was pleasantly surprised by the play of our defense – especially the D-Line.”

It took just one play for the Bulldogs to set the tone in the game.  

King completed a short shuttle pass to wide receiver Alex Springs, who got around end and raced 75 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. A Bryce Williams interception three plays later set up St. Cloud’s next score, a 15-yard run by junior Cameron Dalton.

St. Cloud’s next drive stalled on penalties, but kicker Daniel Elizondo booted a 21-yard field goal on the last play of the first quarter to make it 17-0.

Tyler Green would follow with a 17-yard touchdown on an interception and basketball star Josiah Cotto—playing his first season of football — would get into the act with a 7-yard touchdown grab midway through the second for a 31-0 lead.  Owen Sullivan (50-yard touchdown reception) made it 38-0 and back-up Michael Culver closed out the varsity scoring with a 14-yard run right before half.  The third quarter was played under a running clock with St. Cloud getting just one possession.

Defensively, the starting 11 dominated for St. Cloud.  The first team had four interceptions, five tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and five quarterback pressures in the first half in limiting Innovation to just six total yards on 25 first half plays.  Overall, the varsity allowed just 46 total yards in three quarters, with 36 of those yards coming on two passes against the second team late in the third period.

“Defensively, we were stout tonight,” Short added.  “We had some questions about our defensive line heading into the season, but they played really well tonight and dominated up front.  It made it pretty easy for the guys on the backend to make some plays.”

Short said that his team would need to clean up the penalties before next week’s season opener.  In the first three quarters, the varsity was called for 11 total penalties for 130 yards and overall,  five St. Cloud touchdowns were called back by penalties.  “It something we definitely need to cleanup,” the third-year coach said.  “But in all fairness, it was the first time all year we had officials on the field and our guys need to get used to how the game is going to be called.”

The fourth quarter was reserved for the junior varsity, which St. Cloud won 14-0.  Freshman Matt Blenman added a fifth interception for the junior varsity portion.

St. Cloud opens the 2024 regular season on Friday night at home against Freedom, a team that went 3-7 last season.   “I don’t know a lot about their personnel but I do know they will be well-coached,” Short added.  “We’re expecting a challenge from them.”

St. Cloud 45, Innovation 0

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

• SC:  Alex Springs 75 pass from Logan King (Daniel Elizondo kick)
• SC:  Cameron Dalton 15 run (Elizando kick)
• SC:  Elizando21 FG

Second Quarter

• SC:  Tyler Green 17 Interception Return (Elizando kick)
• SC:  Josiah Cotto 7 pass from King (Elizando kick)
• SC:  Owen Sullivan 50 pass from King (Elizando kick)
• SC:  Michael Culver 14 run (Elizando kick)

By:  J. Daniel Pearson
For Positively Osceola

Week 1: Aug. 23
Treasure Coast at Osceola at  7 p.m.
Windermere at Harmony at  7 p.m.
Poinciana at Celebration at  7 p.m.
Freedom at St. Cloud at  7 p.m.
Space Coast at Gateway at  7 p.m.
Windermere at Harmony at  7 p.m.
Liberty at Innovation at  7 p.m.
Tohopekaliga at Melbourne at  7 p.m.