Bulldogs pluck Falcons
ST. CLOUD — Tyler Williams intercepted an East River pass with 13 seconds to play Friday to keep the postseason hopes alive for St. Cloud.
The host Bulldogs rallied from a nine-point deficit and gutted out a thrilling 37-30 win to force a threeway tie in Class 7A, District 5. St. Cloud, the reigning district champions, will meet up again with East River and host Lake Nona on Monday to break a tie between them to decide the two playoff spots.
Each team finished 4-1 in district play.
“That was a tremendous football game between two teams, and we’re going to do it again on Monday,’’ St. Cloud coach Brian Smart said. “This is gonna be my first shootout, and I won’t say that I’m excited about it, but I probably won’t get much sleep this weekend.’’
East River held a 23-14 lead late in the third quarter before St. Cloud began chipping at the deficit.
Seth Johnson reached the end zone for the second time on a 2-yard carry inside the opening minute of the final period, and Colt Smith hooked up with Jesse Richards for a 2-point conversion to give St. Cloud its first lead of the night at 29-23.
East River responded on its next possession by converting on fourth down then crossing the goal line on a two-yard carry by quarterback Sirwand Brown, who rushed 34 times for 96 yards and two scores.
But the 30-29 lead for the Falcons would only hold up for two more minutes.
Charles Robinson scored his third rushing touchdown from six yards out with 4 minutes, 27 seconds to play and Smith found Johnson for the 2-point pass play for the final score of the night.
The Bulldogs forced a turnover-on-downs on East River’s next possession, thanks in part to a tackle-for-loss by Johnny Fritz and Ty Hoyle.
East River got one more chance with 41 seconds to spare after stopping St. Cloud short on fourth down, but a sack by Matthew Roberson set up the second interception of the night for the Bulldogs.
Robinson finished with 128 yards rushing on 21 carries. Fritz caught two long passes from Smith to lead all receivers with 120 yards.
“It was just desperation,’’ Robinson said. “I came out here with a hard heart, I was hurtinng inside, and I did not want to lose and have our season end.’’