Stokes hat trick leads Indian River

Woodside – Two by land and one by air is how Indian River’s Darnell Stokes found the endzone three times on Friday night leading his Indians to 41-17 Class A District 2 win over Polytech.

Stokes gained 148 yards on 5 carries scoring two touchdowns and hauled in 2 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Both teams came into the game unbeaten with Indian River ranked number one in Class A and the Panthers ranked number four.

Polytech opened the scoring late in the first quarter on a Noah Walker three yard touchdown run. Vasco Granitto added the kick conversion as the Panthers took a 7-0 lead with 2:52 to play in the first quarter.

After the two teams traded turnovers Dylan Grise connected with Stokes on a 55 yard touchdown pass. Nolan Staniszewski added the kick conversion as Indian River tied the game 7-7 midway through the second quarter.

Polytech took a 10-7 lead into halftime when Granitto added a 24 yard field goal with just three seconds to go in the first half.

Indian River took the ball to start the third quarter and scored three straight touchdowns including two in the first six minutes. Stokes scored on a 26 yard touchdown run, the kick was blocked giving the Indians their first lead of the game 13-10.

Two plays into the ensuing Polytech drive Michael Peranteau intercepted a pass and returned it to the Polytech six yard line. One play later Jayvion Chandler scored on a six yard run around the right end. The Indians converted the two point play as placeholder Brennan Loose pitched the ball to Staniszewski who connected with Landon Erbe in the corner of the endzone giving Indian River a 21-13 lead with 6:23 to play in the third quarter.

Davon Handy added another touchdown on a 15 yard run, Staniszewski added the kick as the Indians extended their lead to 28-10 with 1:11 left in the third quarter.

Polytech answered early in the fourth quarter with Walker scoring his second touchdown of the game with a three yard run. Granitto’s kick cut the Indian River lead to 28-17.

Walker carried the ball 22 times for 110 yards for Polytech.

On the first play of the next possession Stokes broke loose on a 62 yard touchdown run. Handy added a 35 yard touchdown run as the Indians stretched their lead to 41-17.

Handy had 101 yards on 15 carries and a pair of touchdowns while Grise completed 7 of 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.

The Indians amassed 445 yards of total offense with 327 yards rushing.

Indian River improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Class A District 2. The Indians travel next Saturday to face Class AA Delmar kickoff is at 1:30PM.

Polytech falls to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in District 2. The Panthers will host First State Military next Friday with a 7:00PM kickoff.