The Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team pulled out a 35-31 win in the regional quarterfinals over Park Vista High School on Friday, Nov. 16 at Callery-Judge Grove Stadium.
With the win, the Hawks remain in the running for a state championship title, advancing to the regional semifinal game against Palm Beach Central High School on Friday, Nov. 23.
Though the Cobras maintained a lead for most of the game, the Hawks staged a comeback with mere seconds on the clock to edge Park Vista out of a state title.
Park Vista scored early in the first quarter and was able to hold back the Hawks from making any moves on the field. At the beginning of the second quarter, the Cobras put in a field goal to make the score 10-0.
But midway through the second quarter, the Hawks turned the momentum when Silas Spearman caught a long pass from quarterback Zach DeCosta and ran into the end zone. An extra-point kick by Derek Falk put the Hawks on the board at 10-7.
Seminole Ridge kept up the momentum on their next possession when Spearman grabbed the ball again and ran 40 yards, breaking through several tackle attempts to land in the end zone. Another extra-point kick by Falk gave the Hawks the lead at 14-10.
In the second half, both teams traded touchdowns, edging one another out of the lead. But with about three minutes left on the clock, the Hawks were leading 28-24 as they brought the ball to the 3 yard line, looking for another touchdown.
As the clock ticked down, Spearman fumbled the ball, and it was picked up by the Cobras, who ran 97 yards to put in a touchdown. An extra-point kick put the Cobras ahead at 31-28 with less than two minutes left. But the Hawks weren’t done. With about 20 seconds left in the game, a 45-yard pass from DeCosta found Omar-Pierre Louis, and he ran in the ball for a last-second touchdown. An extra-point kick brought the Hawks to a 35-31 win as the clock ran out.
Seminole Ridge will continue its battle for the state title Friday, Nov. 23 when they host Palm Beach Central High School at 7:30 p.m.
Above: Hawk Silas Spearman hangs onto the ball as he’s taken down by the Cobra defense.
