Two touchdowns from Jaccorion McCracy and a strong effort from the Sharks defense gave Spanish River win No. 4 on the season.
Spanish River scratched and clawed past Seminole Ridge in high school's version of Monday Night Football, defeating the resilient Hawks in overtime, 17-16, following a crucial goal-line stop and a must-have score.
Jacorrion McCrary fumbled late in the fourth quarter, but when the Spanish River (4-2) defense got him another opportunity, he made the most of it, pounding the ball in from the one-yard line for the game-winning touchdown.
The Sharks' success on the winning play was the antithesis of the Hawks' own opportunity just minutes before, when Spanish River's line pulled back Caelin Argue from the one yard-line on a two-point try — armed with a false start pushing the Sharks back, Seminole Ridge opted to go for two following the score.
"We knew we were getting into a dogfight," Spanish River head coach Nick LaSala said. "Playing a Monday game is weird in general. We turned the ball over three times, and it's hard to win football games when you do that. Tonight, we found a way to be resilient and not flinch. I'm proud of the kids for finding a way to dig this one out."
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Just three days after facing off against Benjamin on Friday, Oct. 3, Seminole Ridge (2-5) lined up on short rest to face a gritty Spanish River defense, and they very nearly accomplished the feat.
The Hawks' defensive line made several big plays, and LaSala even suggested that the Hawks' defensive scheme threw them a few surprises intended to stuff their running game.
Facing the wrench in the plan, LaSala preached "patience" to McCrary, who finally saw his efforts throughout the night pay off, not once but twice in the end zone.
"He stuck through it, he was patient, and he made plays when it really mattered for us," LaSala said. "I know one play he's thinking about was his fumble late in the game, but the defense bailed us out and we gave him an opportunity to make up for it in overtime and he certainly delivered."
Seminole Ridge did not make things, easy, though, with Luther Howard securing an interception after the Hawks' field goal tied the game at 10-10 with just over three minutes to play in the game.
"They're a really tough football team that literally just beats teams by running the football, so to get in that type of game with them and be able to play it their style and win, I'm proud," LaSala said, offering some due praise to Seminole Ridge's coaching staff and players.
Zach Stelus was a dominant force for Spanish River all night, and he was right in the thick of things on the Sharks' final defensive play of the game.
"They tried to tush-push it on us, and our guys were just stout in the middle like they were all night," LaSala said. "Zach Stelus right over the football, Jason Mock shooting his gap right behind him, Roger Alfernar, Carmelo Maldonado, those guys just stood up in the middle, Jah'Cari White didn't let him get in and pulled the pile back."
"The defense, when they pin their ears back and communicate, they're a special group," LaSala continued.
The win propels Spanish River to 4-2 on the season, with a home matchup against Stoneman Douglas (2-4) on a quick turn-around this Friday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Seminole Ridge will look to get back in the win column against Dwyer (0-7) on Friday, Oct. 17 following a bye week.
Alex Peterman covers high school sports for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jaccorion McCrary, defense leads Spanish River past Seminole Ridge
Category: General Sports
