Despite trailing 21-14 late in the fourth quarter, Spanish River junior quarterback Jaeden Phillips led the Sharks on two scoring drives and junior kicker Rowan Russell delivered a game-winning 25-yard field goal on the final play of the game as host Spanish River stunned Western 23-21 in a Class 7A regional quarterfinal on Friday night.
Western junior quarterback Jack Spaeder had thrown a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deuce Olden II to give the Wildcats a 21-14 advantage with 4:54 left in the fourth.
Spanish River responded on the ensuing possession as Phillips fired a 74-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Jayvontay Louis, advancing the Sharks to the Western 13-yard line.
On fourth-and-1, junior running back Ty Reynolds-El had a 1-yard gain for a first down. On the next play, Phillips tossed a 2-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Derek Goulbourne to make it 21-20. However, Western blocked the extra point to preserve the lead.
Spanish River (7-4), which had three timeouts remaining, failed to recover an onside kick, but Western (4-7) went three-and-out on their next series after two running plays and an incomplete pass on third down. After a mishandled snap, Western was able to get a short punt off as Spanish River took over at the Wildcats 45-yard line with 49 seconds remaining.
Phillips completed a 25-yard pass over the middle to junior wide receiver Jayden Elder, reaching the Wildcats 20-yard line. Reynolds-El stepped up with a 7-yard catch and the Wildcats committed an offsides penalty prior to the game-winning field goal by Russell.
“It feels really good,” Russell said. “The hold was great, the O-line blocked, and I did my job. I was just locked in. I kept my eye on the ball and followed through on my target. I was just mentally sharp at the end of the game.”
Spanish River, which won the district title earlier in the season, won their first playoff game in school history.
“We have been taking punches all year,” Spanish River first-year coach Nick LaSala said. “We felt like we have been battle-tested and handled adversity more times than not. We work our two-minute situation every Thursday in a walkthrough setting. They just got to understand urgent operation. Hit a chunk play and don’t take a sack. The quarterback does a great job executing there, getting us in position to give Rowan an opportunity to win us the game. I have been saying all year that Rowan is going to win us a football game at some point.”
Phillips, who is in his first season at Spanish River, stayed poised during his first postseason start.
“Urgency is a big thing that we practice,” Phillips said. “I just trust my guys and they trust me. After the mistakes we made in the game and the three-and-outs, we stayed clear-minded and just trying to execute. Jayden Elder is the best receiver in Palm Beach County in my opinion. I just gave him a chance and I gave him a good ball on the last drive. I appreciate my O-line helping and blocking for me. The feeling at the end with our crowd getting into it was a very memorable experience.”
Elder, who is also a first-year player with the Sharks, stepped up with big plays throughout the game, including a 39-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and 25-yard catch on the final drive.
“That’s definitely one of the best feelings I have ever felt and experienced,” Elder said. “All the coaches here put their trust in me, and I can show what I can do and show off my talent. It’s amazing and cool to come out with the win.”
Western had a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive on the first possession of the contest. On third-and-goal, senior running back Damian Dickenson rushed for a 6-yard touchdown with 5:56 left in the first.
Spanish River responded with a 9-play, 72-yard scoring drive on the ensuing possession. Junior running back Jacorrion McCrary had a 22-yard run to the Wildcats 5-yard line. McCrary scored on the next play with a 5-yard touchdown run with 1:16 remaining in the first.
Western sophomore Edwin Augustin recorded an interception at the Spanish River 23 in the second quarter. On the next play, Spaeder fired a 23-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Russell George to give the Wildcats a 14-7 lead with 6:22 left in the first half.
Western committed two costly penalties to give Spanish River two first downs. The Wildcats were called for a running into the punter penalty. They were also called for an offsides penalty with the Sharks lined up to punt. Spanish River took advantage as Phillips connected Elder for a 39-yard touchdown with 1:51 left in the first half.
Western failed to convert on fourth-and-7 at the Spanish River 22 and on fourth-and-4 at the Sharks 20 during the second half.
Phillips’ 74-yard pass to Louis late in the fourth sparked the Sharks rally.
“So happy for that kid, Jayvontay,” LaSala said. “I know he was hoping he would get an opportunity. Quarterback trusted him to make a play. He gets behind the corner. Quarterback lays one out there. He is the best deep ball thrower in the county. He does not miss down the field. He gives us an opportunity to punch it in there when we needed it.”
Spanish River will host a regional semifinal next Friday against the winner of Saturday night’s regional quarter between Goleman and South Dade.
