BOCA RATON — Boca Raton junior running back Adon Elmon rushed for a game-winning 10-yard touchdown in overtime as the host Bobcats rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit for a thrilling 27-21 victory against Goleman in a Class 7A regional quarterfinal on Friday night.
The Bobcats struggled on offense in the first half and trailed 21-7 at halftime, but junior quarterback Mason Chapman stepped up in the fourth quarter to help lead two scoring drives to force overtime.
“Everyone knew that this could be the last game so we all came together and it was just a team effort,” Chapman said. “It was a dogfight to the end. It was not the first half we wanted, but the second half was a really great game. Hats off to our defense. They didn’t let them score in the second half. It was a really satisfying team victory all around.”
Boca Raton (10-1) won a regional quarterfinal playoff contest for the second straight season.
“We just challenged our kids,” Boca Raton coach Alex Savakinas said. “We set a standard and in the first half, we did not step up to that standard. We went into halftime and we ripped into them. We expected them to come out here and change the way they played. The difference is they came out ready to play in the second half. It was to step up and play our version of football and we didn’t do that in the first half. We set the tone in the second half. I think our conditioning and how well in shape we were really showed in the second half. We do not let up ever. We worked all year long for these type of moments and they stepped up.”
Boca Raton seized momentum after Goleman (6-5) lost a fumble at their own 27-yard line late in the third.
The Gators defense had a defensive stand at the 1, but an offside penalty extended the drive. The Bobcats capitalized on the next play as Chapman scored on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal to cut the deficit to 21-14 with 11:22 left.
Boca Raton scored again on their next possession to tie the score with just less than six minutes remaining. Chapman connected with senior wide receiver Tristan Johnson on a deep pass over the middle for a 64-yard gain to the Goleman 20. On third-and-12, Champan fired a 20-yard completion to senior wide receiver Jordan Davis. Senior running back Ryan Platten rushed for a 2-yard score to make it 21-21.
Boca Raton had a 46-yard field goal attempt blocked with 20 seconds left, but sophomore Luisito Rojas recorded an interception on the final play of regulation for the Bobcats.
Goleman had the first possession on offense in overtime. The Boca Raton defense made a stop on fourth-and-goal at the 6.
The Bobcats offense scored on the first play as Elmon went untouched up the middle into the end zone.
“In the first half, I was really frustrated,” Elmon said. “I went into the locker room and said this is not how you want the last game to go. Our coaches told us to get right. We wanted it and were motivated.”
The game was scoreless at the end of the first quarter.
Goleman jumped ahead in the second quarter. On fourth-and-15, sophomore quarterback Timothy Potts fired a 20-yard completion to junior wide receiver Julian Prieto. Senior running back Matthew Negron rushed up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.
Boca Raton senior Markeece Johnson had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown to tie the game with 6:25 left in the first half.
However, Negron powered into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 with 2:24 left in the second.
Freshman Keny Belamour Jr. recorded an interception for the Gators deep in Bobcats territory, and then Potts connected with Prieto on a 13-yard scoring pass to extend the lead to 21-7 with 1:16 left in the first half.
Boca Raton was led on defense in the second half by several impact players, including senior Brody Costolo and junior Travis Jackson.
“That is what our defense has done all year,” Savakinas said. “They are flying around and making plays. I couldn’t be more proud. I am really excited for these kids.”
Originally Published: