By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

For those puzzled over St. Cloud’s 0-2 record two weeks into the football season, look no further than this for an explanation: week 1, St. Cloud went to Lakeland, where almost nobody wins. Week 2, the Bulldogs’ all-everything quarterback, senior Phillip Steinmetz, was on the sideline, watching receiver Cole Harvey play his position. The result: Rockledge 14, Bulldogs 7.

Indianapolis Colts fans can sympathize. Without Payton Manning Sunday for the NFL opener, the Colts lost big at Houston.

St. Cloud Coach Mike Short said Steinmetz’s absence affected his team much the same way.

“That is the comparison I made to people who saw the score and wondered what happened,” Short said. “Phillip knows the offense probably better than I do.”

Steinmetz was out with a shoulder sprain suffered at Lakeland two weeks ago.

“He probably could have gone, but we figured this is week 2 and it’s not a district game. We’re going to need him in week 4 and week 6 (for district games),” Short said.

The good news is that Steinmetz might return for the 7 p.m. game Saturday at Agape Christian.

Harvey did a solid job against Rockledge, Short said. He passed for 124 yards and ran for St. Cloud’s TD in the third period, tying the score at 7.

“I can’t be upset at all with the job Cole Harvey did for us. It was admirable,” Short said.

Credit Rockledge, 1-1, for playing well, Short said.

Losing Steinmetz caused the Bulldogs to play without their best quarterback and took one of their best receivers (Harvey) out of position. The team also lost running back Eric Pfeifer in the second half with a hip injury. Pfeifer ran for 125 yards before leaving.

“Guys stepped up. Mackendy Atubel, E.J. McKenzie and Austyn Jandrew all filled in, and it’s nice to have Brett Biller (the team’s leading receiver with 17 catches this season) out there,” Short said.

The promising aspect of the game was the continued improvement of the offensive line, Short said.

“We didn’t give up a sack, and we moved the ball pretty well,” he said.

Agape Christian, 0-2, lost to No. 3 Class 2A  Florida Christian, 49-8, Friday. The Saints also fell to Ware County, Ga., 43-18.

The Saints do not play in a district.

The go-to players are receiver Drico Johnson (6-2, 205) and running back Serge Trezy (6-2, 200). Johnson has committed to UCF.

“He’s a big, powerful player,” Short said.