Park Vista pulls off stunning upset of Miramar

MIRAMAR — In a game in which Park Vista never trailed, it came down to the final play before the eighthseeded Cobras could celebrate their stunning 28-20 victory over top-seeded Miramar on Friday in an 8A regional quarterfinal.

After Miramar allowed Park Vista to score a touchdown, giving the Cobras a 28-20 lead, with 1:01 to play in order for the host Patriots to get another chance to score, Park Vista’s defense knocked down a Steven Williams pass at the goal line to secure the upset on the last play.

“It’s a great feeling,” Park Vista coach Brian Dodds said.

Park Vista opened the scoring using a pair of big plays on its opening 80-yard drive to setup the first score, a 1-yard touchdown run by Cobras senior quarterback John Smith.

Miramar (9-2) answered just 68 seconds later when Ralph Hughey scampered 55 yards to tie the score at 7-7.

On the first play of the second quarter, Park Vista (8-2) took a 14-7 lead when Smith connected on a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass to Atorian Perry.

The Patriots quickly countered again, scoring only 21 seconds after the Cobras score, as Steven Williams tossed a bubble screen to Terrence Horne Jr at the line of scrimmage and Horne sprinted 80 yards to tie the score at 14.

Late in the first half with nine seconds to play, Park Vista took the 21-14 lead as Smith hooked up with Perry for their second touchdown pass of the quarter, this score covered nine yards.

Miramar opened the third quarter by going on a 72-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 13-yard touchdown run by Kyeshad Pennywell, however, the Patriots missed the extra point keeping Park Vista ahead 21-20.

Late in the third quarter, Katravis Geter fumbled at the Park Vista one yard line to end a Patriots drive.

With under four minutes to play in the game, Horne Jr. was flagged for a defensive pass interference penalty negating a 76-yard touchdown pass that would have given Miramar the lead.

WESTERN 20, DEERFIELD BEACH 17: Harrison Story threw two touchdowns to Jordan Smith as the visiting Wildcats (9-2) shocked Deerfield Beach (8-3) in an 8A regional quarterfinal for Western’s first playoff win in the Davie school’s history.

Western advances to play at Palm Beach Central next Friday night, as the Broncos pummeled Seminole Ridge 32-0.

Western took advantage of four recovered fumbles and went up 20-10 with less than four minutes left for all the insurance it needed.

PALM BEACH CENTRAL 32, SEMINOLE RIDGE 0: The host Broncos got some clearance in the second quarter, grabbing a 12-0 halftime lead and getting past the Hawks in an 8A regional quarterfinal, setting up a visit from the winner of Western Beach next Friday night.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 56, SOUTH MIAMI 0: The host Raiders jumped to a 21-0 first-quarter advantage in their rout of the Cobras in Fort Lauderdale. Aquinas advances to host a 7A regional semi against West Broward.

DWYER 43, MATER ACADEMY 13: The host Panthers got a second-quarter touchdown to get some breathing room and take a 20-6 lead to halftime in Palm Beach Gardens. From there, they were unthreatened, setting up a 7A regional semifinal matchup at Dwyer against Doral Academy.

AMERICAN HERITAGE 42, MERRITT ISLAND 0: The Patriots raced to a 35-0 halftime lead and sailed in their 5A regional quarterfinal. The Patriots will host the Fort Pierce Westwood-Orlando Bishop Moore winner next Friday.

BENJAMIN 43, EVERGLADES PREP 6: The host Buccaneers, up 7-6 at halftime, crushed the Panthers with a 36-0 secondhalf run in North Palm Beach, advancing to play Chaminade-Madonna in Broward County next Friday.

OXBRIDGE ACADEMY 42, KING’S ACADEMY 7: The host ThunderWolves absorbed an early Lions pick-six in West Palm Beach and stormed back to advance to a 3A regional final against the winner of The First Academy-Melbourne Central Catholic. Oxbridge, down 7-6, had running back James Meeks bull into the end zone from 5 yards out and never looked back.

MOORE HAVEN 42, GLADES DAY 35: The visiting Gators couldn’t hold off off the Terriers to advance to a matchup against Champagnat Catholic in a 2A regional final.

PAHOKEE 41, WILLISTON 17: The host Blue Devils pulled away to an early 21-3 lead and cruised by the Red Devils, setting up a 1A regional final next Friday at home against Frostproof.

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Western running back Keshaun Clarke runs to the outside of the Deerfield Beach defense during the first half of their 9A regional final football game.