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Reyes' Overtime Scramble Sends Tarpon Into Playoffs

SPONGERS 23, EAGLES 20, OT

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

A Springstead defender tries to drag down Tarpon running back Josiah Fisk from behind.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: November 8, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - What a way to celebrate Homecoming.

In a Class 4A-District 8 rivalry game with serious win-or-go-home playoff implications, Tarpon Springs quarterback Danny Reyes sent the home crowd into a frenzy by scooting 10 yards to the end zone on the Spongers' first play of overtime during Friday night's scintillating 23-20 victory over Springstead.

The game was assuredly one of 2008's most exciting high school football games. Springstead (6-3, 3-2) and Tarpon (7-2, 4-1) traded the lead six times throughout the rollercoaster affair. Just when one sideline was preparing to celebrate, the other countered with an answer of its own.

The real drama began to unfold with 8:21 left in the fourth quarter, when Eagles quarterback James Mahla hit receiver Domnique Roberson on a 5-yard fade route to take the 14-10 advantage. Roberson's score was set up two plays earlier by Mahla's huge 53-yard keeper that brought Springstead down to the Tarpon 3.

Mahla had a monster night, accounting for 213 of the Eagles' 274 total yards. The senior passed for 115 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another 98.

Springstead followed that effort up by shutting down Tarpon on the ensuing possession and getting the ball back inside Sponger territory, but could not manage a first down.

The Spongers wasted no time in responding, zooming for 76 yards on just a three-play drive that was capped by Reyes' 12-yard scoring pass to Savvas Damalos. The touchdown put Tarpon back on top 17-14. Receiver Drew Kier (8 catches for 147 yards) helped make the quick score possible by reeling in a 63-yard deep-post route.

Reyes was the all-around star of the night, racking up 252 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-34 passing as well as rushing for the game-winning score.

Looking downfield with 90 yards of green in front of him and only 2:25 remaining in regulation, Mahla took advantage of three Tarpon penalties totaling 35 yards and began engineering a drive that would reach the Sponger 5 with 25.1 ticks left. But on third-and-goal, Tarpon's Richard Austin Seifried busted through the line for an 8-yard sack, forcing Springstead to settle for a 30-yard, game-tying field goal from Nate Schafer.

Tarpon won the coin toss in overtime and deferred possession to the Eagles. After two Devean Huff rushes pushed Springstead to the 7-yard line, Sponger cornerback Kyle Ahern stepped up by batting down a Mahla-to-Roberson pass in the end zone. Schafer booted a 24-yard field goal for the very short-lived Eagle lead.

Dropping back to pass on the Spongers' first play in overtime, Reyes saw an opening in the middle and took full advantage before being mobbed in an elated dogpile of Maroon and White.

"Honestly, I wanted to dominate this game," Tarpon coach George Kotis said afterward. "At least to show our kids that we can beat anybody. We didn't do it exactly how we wanted, but it's one of those games where you see some character growing, so it's still a nice win."

"I can't believe what we just did, man," Tarpon running back Josiah Fisk said, who contributed 85 yards of total offense that included a long, 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. "We need to come back next week, then prepare to come out there and win in the playoffs. Now that's what we're focused on."

Tarpon will now represent District 4A-8 as runners-up after Land O' Lakes beat Ridgewood 20-16 to earn the title. The Spongers still need to finish out the regular season next week at Clearwater before regional playoffs begin.

SCORING:

Springstead; 7; 0; 0; 10; 3; - 20
Tarpon Springs; 0; 10; 0; 7; 6 - 23

SPR - Noury 25-yard pass from Mahla (Schafer kick) – 1st Quarter
TS - Hill 24-yard field goal – 2nd Quarter
TS - Fisk 65-yard run (Hill kick) – 2nd Quarter
SPR - Roberson 5-yard pass from Mahla (Schafer kick) – 4th Quarter
TS - Sa. Damalos 12-yard pass from Reyes (Hill kick) – 4th Quarter
SPR - Schafer 30-yard field goal – 4th Quarter
SPR - Schafer 24-yard field goal – OT
TS - Reyes 10-yard run - OT

TEAM STATS:

---------------SPR---------TS
First Downs-----14-----15
Atts./Rushing Yds.-----33-159-----24-89
Comp./Pass Atts./Int.-----10-26-1-----24-34-0
Passing Yds. -----115-----252
Total Offense-----274-----341
Fumbles/Lost-----2-2-----2-0
Punts/Avg.-----4-38.0-----4-35.5
Penalties-----4-20-----9-80

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

RUSHING
SPR – Mahla (12-98), Greco (10-53).
TS – Fisk (7-72, TD), Reyes (7-14, TD).

PASSING
SPR – Mahla (10-26 for 115, 2 TD, INT).
TS – Chmelik (24-34 for 252, TD).

RECEIVING
SPR – Roberson (4-50, TD), Noury (5-42).
TS – Kier (8-147), Vavlas (6-46), Sa. Damalos (3-25, TD).

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

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