High School

Alonso cruises past Gaither in rare afternoon game

The Ravens score 27 second quarter points in rout
Andy Villamarzo|
Alonso cruises past Gaither in rare afternoon game
Alonso cruises past Gaither in rare afternoon game

TAMPA, FLORIDA- The defending Class 2A state champion Alonso Ravens are looking a lot like themselves from last season: Dominant. 

In a rare Thursday afternoon game due to lights being inoperable at the school’s stadium, Alonso took on Gaither and showed why they’re on the right track in 2024. 

The Ravens were powered by 27 second quarter points as they cruised to a 55-0 victory over Gaither. With the win, Alonso improves to 2-0 on the season. 

“Our kids are playing really hard,” Alonso head coach Matt Hernandez said. “They’re doing everything right as far as attitude wise. We’re in a process here with new quarterbacks and a new group, they’re keeping perspective.” 

After taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Gaither’s defense was able to hold Alonso to just the lone touchdown. 

It wouldn’t be for long, however. 

The Ravens (2-0) scored their second touchdown of the game when quarterback Gabby Werr connected with wide receiver Carina Annunziata on a 20-yard pass. 

Up 13-0, that’s when Alonso started to really take control of the game. On the very next Gaither possession, Alonso would get on the scoreboard again when senior defensive back Autumn Evans intercepted a pass and returned it back for a touchdown. 

On Alonso’s next offensive possession, Werr would find wide receiver Makenna Sturgis on a long touchdown pass to push the Ravens ahead 27-0. There would be no looking back from there. 

Werr finished the game completing 13-of-19 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns. Annunziata had six catches, 83 yards, three scores and Sturgis added three receptions, 57 yards and two touchdowns. 

“Gabby (Werr) is such a motivated kid,” Hernandez added. “She is the leadership, motivated, I want to be great and do everything I can to be great kind of kid. She’s been great.” 

The next time Alonso takes the field is next week on Wednesday when they go on the road to face Riverview. Gaither (0-2) doesn’t play again until March 5th when they face Hillsborough. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl 

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Andy Villamarzo
ANDY VILLAMARZO

Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.

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