By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

A 21-13 loss to Orlando First Academy in last Friday’s Kickoff Classic might not show a lot of momentum for the Harmony Longhorns, but those who were there, like an exasperated Coach Jerrad Butler, will understand.

The game was called midway through the third quarter when the lights went out at the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex. At the time, the Longhorns were driving after stopping the Royals on their first third-quarter drive.

“I think we all would have liked to see how it played out,” Butler said. “We have a lot of young kids who are learning what Friday nights are all about. It would have been good to see them react to that situation.”

He’ll just have to wait until Friday, when Harmony hosts Citrus for what he hopes is four quarters that will kick off at 7:30 p.m. That is, if Harmony’s lights are working. Athletic Director Chuck Hitt said that three banks of lights at Longhorns field were knocked out by lightning recently. Repairs should be completed in time for today’s JV game, he said.

There are things from last week that Butler hopes to see again Friday, like Michael Santiago returning the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. Other things, like three turnovers by the offense that First Academy used to build a 21-6 lead, can stay in the preseason.

“Overall, we got out of it what we needed,” Butler said. “We’ve got good kids filling the void of those who have left. I was pleased with aggressiveness they showed late in the game.”

Right before halftime, the Longhorns recovered a muffed punt deep in Royals territory, and a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sterling Hicks to Tristen Reaves pulled Harmony within one score. The defense posted a three-and-out to start the third quarter before the Longhorns got the ball prior to darkness.

Citrus, out of the west coast town of Inverness, played a half of scoreless football at last week’s jamboree at Poinciana.

Butler said he expects a fair and balanced test.

“I only saw about 15 minutes of film on them at Poinciana because they used a running clock, but they’ve got good-skill kids and look big up front,” he said.

“They run a split-back veer with the option, so our kids are going to have to play good assignment football on defense.”