Florida Tech Ends Inaugural Season With 17-3 Win

By  //  November 16, 2013

Panthers hold webber to just 177 yards

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Florida Tech ended its inaugural season just like it began, with a non-conference win as the Panthers defeated Webber International 17-3 on Saturday at Palm Bay High School’s Pirate Stadium.

Florida Tech Football's first-ever seniors (in uniform, left to right) Mike Gomez, Bobby Vega and Cory Voce with FIT President and CEO Anthony J. Catanese, head coach Steve Englehart and Athletics Director Bill Jurgens (left to right). (Florida Tech image)
Florida Tech Football’s first-ever seniors (in uniform, left to right) Mike Gomez, Bobby Vega and Cory Voce with FIT President and CEO Anthony J. Catanese, head coach Steve Englehart and Athletics Director Bill Jurgens (left to right). (Florida Tech image)

With the victory, the Panthers wrap up their first season 4-7 overall, 4-2 at home and 3-1 against Florida schools. Webber International finishes its 2013 campaign at 5-5.

“It was important for us to win,” head coach Steve Englehart said.

“I feel good about where we’re at right now and heading into the offseason and the start of our conditioning program. Anytime you win your last game of the year, whether you’re a first-year program or a program that’s been around for 100 years, it always boosts your team going into the offseason. I think it will do that maybe even more so with our guys, knowing our potential. We had a good taste of our conference and what we need to do to be successful. They’re excited to start that process of preparing for next year. It was good to send those three seniors out with a win. We’re looking forward to the future of this program.”

Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart

FIT’s defense was dominant against the Warriors, surrendering just 177 yards of total offense, 12 first downs and it forced six three-and-outs out of 14 possessions. Webber International mounted 111 rushing yards and only 66 yards in the air. Warriors quarterback Billy Pavlock finished 8-for-20 with one interception and was sacked a FIT season-high seven times. Justin Arcune and Anthony Hicks corralled Pavlock two times each. Arcune also had three tackles for a loss along with J.J. Sanders. Nathan McDowell tied for a game-high nine tackles.

“All year our offense, defense and special teams have shown a lot of flashes that we can be really good,” Englehart said.

PANTHERS COMPILED 394 YARDS AGAINST WEBBER

Bobby Vega
Bobby Vega

“It was the defense’s turn today. They showed today that they can be a pretty dominant defense. It was encouraging to see the game plan our coaches put in and how it was executed.”

The offense built on a 3-0 halftime lead by scoring a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarter. Xavier Milton hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Vega with 3:05 left in the third. After Webber International’s Anthony Woythal kicked a 46-yard field goal to put the Warriors on the board, the Panthers answered with an eight-yard touchdown run by Jarvis Giles at the five-minute mark of the final quarter.

Mike Gomez
Mike Gomez

Vega closed out the game 17-for-29 for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tyler Bass was Vega’s primary target, catching seven passes for 56 yards.

Trevor Sand continued to be a bruiser on the ground, totaling 109 yards. Giles accumulated 68 yards, including his first touchdown as a Panther.

“Offensively, I still think we have the potential to be very explosive,” Englehart said.

“Unfortunately, today we had a lot of penalties that held us back. It seemed like every time we had a big gain, we had a penalty or something happen like some miscues when we got down into scoring position. Once again, I’m proud of the way our guys continue to finish until the end of the game and proud that we were able to finish strong.”

Prior to the game, the Panthers recognized the program’s first-ever seniors Mike Gomez, Bobby Vega and Cory Voce. Saturday also marked Military Appreciation Day and Scouts Day at Pirate Stadium.

florida-tech-webber-595

GAME PREVIEW

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Panthers (3-7) host Webber International (5-4) today at Palm Bay High School’s Pirate Stadium. Prior to kickoff, Englehart and Co. will recognized the team’s two seniors – Mike Gomez and Bobby Vega – and junior Cory Voce as part of Senior Day.

Saturday is also Military Appreciation and Scouts Day. Military veterans and active duty military will receive a free ticket by showing their military ID at the Clemente Center Ticket Office or on game day at Pirate Stadium. (Florida Tech image)
TODAY’S GAME is also Military Appreciation and Scouts Day. Military veterans and active duty military will receive a free ticket by showing their military ID at the Clemente Center Ticket Office or on game day at Pirate Stadium. (Florida Tech image)

Saturday is also Military Appreciation and Scouts Day. Military veterans and active duty military received a free ticket by showing their military at Pirate Stadium.

Boy and girl scouts will also received free admission by wearing their uniform.

Saturday is also Military Appreciation and Scouts Day. Military veterans and active duty military will receive a free ticket by showing their military ID at the Clemente Center Ticket Office or on game day at Pirate Stadium.

KICKOFF IS SET FOR 2 P.M.

The Clemente Center Ticket Office will be open from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for FIT faculty and staff with school ID, seniors ages 65 and above and children ages 5-16. FIT students with ID and children under five years of age are free. Tickets are available at FloridaTechSports.com, by dialing 321-674-6228 and at the Clemente Center Ticket Office.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR SATURDAY