SATELLITE BEACH — Two years ago, Satellite endured a 1-9 season leading to a move to the SSAA from the FHSAA.
On Oct. 22, the Scorpions completed a remarkable turnaround with their ninth win of the season defeating Tradition Prep 53-0 for their first undefeated season in school history.
"For a team that was 1-9 two years ago, I think it’s great for these guys to complete a season like they just did,” Satellite head coach Dan Burke said. “On the practice field and in games, there’s always a lot we can get better at but the consistency, we’re proud of them. They’ve come through every week. We’ve been challenged and they've answered every single time.”
Satellite scored 37 points in the first quarter as the JV players entered the game in the second quarter.
The Scorpions saw seven different players score touchdowns. Senior quarterback Brody Grennan punched a QB sneak into the end zone for a 2-yard score. After a safety, Grennan tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior Noah Corriveau to make it 16-0.
Satellite scored its next two touchdowns off takeaways as senior Kaden Whitworth intercepted a pass that led to a 31-yard touchdown run by senior Raiden Kerr on the next play from scrimmage.
Whitworth scored on the next play from scrimmage, recovering a fumble on the goal line for a touchdown. Whitworth finished the game with one interception and two fumble recoveries.
The Scorpions capped a 44-point first half with touchdowns on a 13-yard touchdown run by junior Cayden Jackson and a QB sneak by junior Grady Tipps.
Their win over Tradition Prep marks their fifth shutout win of the season and their third of at least 50 points.
“We got to play a lot of the JV players,” Burke said. “That’s kind of how you build a program. If you’re playing this late in the year and those guys are getting a lot of reps, we fill it, we coach from it, we get better and next year you got some experienced players. That’s what we want to have.”
Satellite returns to the SSAA Atlantic state playoffs for the second year in a row. It hopes to progress further after losing in the state quarterfinals last year.
“We lost to the eventual state champion at their field. First thing we did when we came back in January was watch the game film again and kind of refreshing their mind. It was 13-3 at the half and we’re right in it,” Burke said. “That kind of fuels you for the offseason, for the spring and right into the summer. It’s a year-round deal now. These guys love each other. They love the game.”
The Scorpions will likely host at least a first-round playoff game. Entering the final week of the regular season, they were ranked fourth in the South Division.
“I think because our senior class has played together so long, I think they’re prepared to make a run,” Burke said. “Take it week by week and see how it goes.”
Real Life Christian Academy 26, Calvary Chapel 12
Calvary Chapel enters the SSAA Atlantic 8-man state playoffs on a three-game losing streak after its second two-score defeat of the season.
Eagles sophomore Micah Lee scored on a 60-yard scoop-and-score to cut the deficit to 12-6 at halftime. Real Life opened the second half with 14 unanswered points before a 75-yard touchdown run by sophomore Zach Wolfe in the fourth quarter.
Calvary Chapel finishes the regular season 6-3 and will await to see its seed and opponent in the first round of the state playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Satellite caps first undefeated regular season with 53-0 rout