Big Lake Athlete of the Week: Dylan Wilkins

Posted 8/31/21

Glades Day senior Dylan Wilkins is this week’s Athlete of the Week for his performance in the Gators’ 41-7 win over the Westminster Academy Lions on Aug. 27.

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Big Lake Athlete of the Week: Dylan Wilkins

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Glades Day senior Dylan Wilkins is this week’s Athlete of the Week for his performance in the Gators’ 41-7 win over the Westminster Academy Lions on Aug. 27.

Dylan played a key role on both sides of the ball for the Gators in the victory.

The Lions won the coin toss and elected to receive, but Glades Day caught them off guard with a onsides kick, which they recovered. As quarterback Wilkins then helped guide the Gator offense down field, with the drive ending in a 3-yard touchdown run by Damian Cunningham.

Then, when the Lions offense took the field on the following possession, Wilkins switched to his free safety role on defense.  Westminster Academy moved the ball downfield on their opening drive, and with the Gators missing the extra point on their touchdown, the Lions had the chance to quickly answer Glades Day’s touchdown with one of their own to take the lead.

At the point, with how the Lions were marching down the field, it felt like the game was headed for a tit-for-tat offensive battle. But a big play by Wilkins on his own goalline changed that narrative.

Westminster quarterback Anthony Barbar dropped back to back on the Gator 25-yard line, attempting to hit wide receiver Gavonni Rivera on a corner route in the endzone. Wilkins made a leaping interception of the attempt, putting the Gators back on offense. And putting him back under center.

Dylan got up from that interception, switched to the offensive side of the ball  kickstarted the Gators’ drive with a big completion to Xavier Bryant. Wilkins and Braynt connected on a slant route between two Westminster Academy defenders that went for 25 yards. A few plays later Glades Day ended the drive with another touchdown.

By the third quarter the Gators were up 27-0 when Wilkins made a great play that won’t stick out on the stat sheet, but did turn a few heads, even on the Lions sideline.

Wilkins had just thrown a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jenorris Wilcher, and lined up as the holder on on the extra point attempt. But the snap sailed too high, forcing Wilkins to stand up to catch it. Quickly, Wilkins flushed out to the right, running back to avoid three Lions players in pursuit.

Marvin Curry saw his teammate in trouble, and ran to the corner of the endzone to give Wilkins an out. While still running full speed and avoiding the rush, Dylan kept his eyes downfield and managed to see Curry get open. Wilkins let the ball loose seconds before being tackled, hitting Curry in the endzone for a successful two-point conversion.

Wilkins threw for 140 yards on the night completing 70% of his passes, and had two touchdowns.

If you have someone you’d like to nominate for Big Lake Athlete of the Week, email Lake Okeechobee News sports reporter Richard Marion at rmarion@iniusa.org

Athlete of the Week, Glades Day

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