LIVE OAK, Fla. — Suwannee High School looked pretty comfortable in its new offense, at least for one half.  

The Bulldogs, going no-huddle during Friday’s Kickoff Classic, scored on four of their first six possessions to take a commanding lead against Santa Fe. 

Penalties and self-inflicted wounds kept SHS from scoring in the second half, but the Bulldogs still walked away with a 29-15 win in front of the home crowd. 

Suwannee 29, Santa Fe 15

Santa Fe	0	7	6	2	—	15
Suwannee	17	12	0	0	—	29

First Quarter

SHS — Taylor 2 run (LeNeave kick)

SHS — Safety

SHS — Taylor 2 run (Taylor run)

Second Quarter

SHS — Hall 15 run

SF — Watkins 11 run

Third Quarter 

SF — Odom 11 catch from Reid

Fourth Quarter 

SF — Safety 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Passing 

Taylor 5-10-60, Moore 0-2

Rushing 

Taylor 16-85-3, Hall 18-64, Moore 6-29

Receiving 

Pratt 1-32, Brantley 2-14, Antonio White 1-8, Henry 1-6

“It started with defense giving us some good field position,” said Suwannee coach Kyler Hall, whose team began five drives inside Santa Fe territory. “We put up a lot of points early. 

“There were some things we left out there. But the good thing about the (Kickoff) Classic is there a lot of teachable moments. It’s great to start out the year with a win. It’s the first time we’ve done that in the last couple of years.”

SHS quarterback Tyree Taylor ran for a team-high 85 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor, working mostly out of the shotgun with running back Carlton Hall by his side, was able to find running room with the defense focused on Hall.

Taylor’s final rushing touchdown — a 16-yard keeper on a zone read —  came with less than a minute left in the second quarter and gave the Bulldogs a 29-7 lead going into the half. He scored Suwannee’s first two touchdowns on quarterback sneaks.

Taylor also had a solid night in the air, completing 5 of 10 passes for 60 yards. He connected with four different receivers, including a 32-yard bomb to Jaquary Pratt and a 13-yard strike to Dylan Brantley.  

Suwannee’s defense came out strong and finished strong. Santa Fe didn’t pick up a first down until late in the second quarter.

Then with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Suwannee’s defense came up with a goal-line stand to seal the game. Santa Fe had two opportunities from the 1-yard line to score, but Suwannee shut the door.  

UP NEXT

The regular season begins next week as Suwannee hosts Fort White.