Nova @ Cypress Bay
WEEK 5 | 2023 SEASON
September 22, 2023
by Josh Zedner
Weston, Fla. | “Lightning Strike Down Titans”
Florida Man Sports is back with another edition of Friday Night Lights! After a lengthy weather delay, highlighted by some classic weather-themed tunes over the PA from the Cypress Bay MC, the Nova Titans faced off against the Cypress Bay Lightning. An ironic delay, since it was at the home stadium of the Lightning.
The game started slow as the two squads traded empty possessions throughout the 1st quarter. Nova 2026 DL Jayden Jackson consistently came through with pressure for the Titans, while Cypress Bay 2024 K/P Kai Bandy kept the Titans pinned deep in their own territory with multiple booms off his boot. In the 2nd quarter, 2025 QB Devin Gonzalez and the Lightning offense took control of the game. Gonzalez threw a couple of dimes to 2024 WR Deron Latson and 2024 ATH Ryan Geary to drive the ball down the field. The drive eventually culminated in a shovel pass touchdown to Geary to get Cypress out to a 7-0 lead.
After a Titans turnover on downs, Gonzalez was in control once again. He showed excellent mobility and bursts of speed, and dumped some screen passes to 2025 WR Santi Paz, who showed off his agility to put the Lightning into Nova territory. On a long 4th down, where the Titans could have gained some momentum, Gonzalez delivered another wonderful pass to 2024 ATH Joaquin Edie into the endzone for another score. It left the score at 14-0 going into the half.
The 2nd half was all Lightning, as Cypress Bay took the ball right down the field through runs from Paz and Gonzalez, and an eventual score by 2024 RB Roy Moore. It electrified the crowd. There were several questionable unsportsmanlike conduct penalties charged to the Lightning after their second and third scores of the game. Many alike reacted with disagreement, as how could you not celebrate after scoring a touchdown in front of a great crowd?
Then came the fumbles for the Titans offense, one of which was a ridiculous play by Cypress Bay 2024 ATH Sebastien Graham in which he stripped the ball out of 2025 ATH Brandon Natson’s hands and came up with possession of the ball all on his own. Both fumbles resulted in touchdown passes by Gonzalez to Edie: one on a precise RPO dime in the back of the endzone, and then Paz on a catch-and-run that was highlighted by a couple of broken tackles. The score was 34-0 at this point.
Just when the Titans were attempting to gain some momentum into next week, Natson threw an interception right into the waiting hands of Edie, who was solid on both ends of the field tonight. Gonzalez stat-padded one more time with another accurate toss to 2025 WR Eain Hersh, getting the Lightning out to a whopping 40-0 lead and eventual win by that margin.
This showdown was not much of a showdown. The Lightning clearly came ready to dominate and the Titans just were not ready for that. The Nova Titans have a dynamic D-line piece in Jackson to keep them in games defensively, but the offense doesn’t seem to have much going without 2025 QB Jamari Jenkins in the lineup. They never established anything offensively besides a couple of dynamic returns and shifty runs by Natson in the first half. A lot of work to do for them in the near future.
For the Cypress Bay Lightning, another great performance on both ends as they move to 4-1 on the season. They have a couple upcoming road tests on the way before their big rivalry showdown against the Western Wildcats on October 13th. Gonzalez’s composure and rushing ability should keep them rolling in the weeks ahead. Although there were some drops from their receivers, Cypress Bay has a solid enough offense to hang with anyone, as they look to continue their winning ways.
FINAL SCORE:
Cypress Bay beats Nova 40-0
About Josh Zedner:
Joshua Zedner is a beat writer covering high school football for Florida Man Sports. A native of Miami Beach, he attended Florida International University before finishing his undergraduate Business Administration degree at the University of Florida. Josh is an avid Miami sports fan, and he also writes a music review blog as a passion project under the @AlbumAnalysisWithZ handle on Instagram.
