VERO BEACH — It was a night of triumph and tribulation for the Vero Beach Fighting Indians and their fans as they hosted the St. Lucie West Centennial Eagles. The team honored late Coach Billy Livings by painting the sidelines with his name at midfield and with Billy Livings stickers on the players’ helmets.
Prior to kick-off the Livings family was recognized with a moment of silence and also given a plaque commemorating the coach who established the legacy of the 12th Man and put Fighting Indians football on the map.
Vero Coach Lenny Jankowski said that it was an important night for several reasons.
“Tonight is a big game for us in the district race because there are only three teams and Centennial already has a district win,” he said. “It’s also a special night for Vero Beach football because of the ceremony before the game honoring coach Livings.”
Vero Beach entered their first district contest ranked 4th in class 8A by the Associated Press poll and boasting an undefeated record of 6-0. Centennial was 1-0 in district play and would become the district champs with a win over Vero Beach, 17-14.
The Fighting Indians were the first team, to reach the end zone, on a 21-yard pass from Vero quarterback Nick Madden to wide receiver Charlie Miller with less than two minutes expired in the first quarter.
Centennial responded on a fourth and goal play that sent Eagles power running back Johnny Poma in for six with 5:17 to go in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Vero Beach went for it on fourth and goal and Nick Madden plunged over the left side for a 2-yard touchdown a 14 -7 lead at the half.
The Eagles controlled the ball for most of the third quarter and tied the game at 14 when Centennial quarterback Tim Caffey hit receiver Edwin Thomas on a short pass that Thomas took 45 yards up the home sideline for the score and a 14-14 tie.
With 5:30 left in the game Eagles kicker Devin Clements kicked a 29-yard field goal to give Centennial the 17-14 lead and eventually the district championship.
“This was a difficult game to lose, but Centennial was the better team tonight,” Jankowski said. “It was a very disappointing loss for us with everything going on tonight but we need to bounce back and correct our mistakes.”
Vero Beach averaged nearly 36 points per game coming into the district showdown but could only muster 14 total points and was unbelievably blanked in the second half.
Vero must defeat Treasure Coast on the road if they have a chance at a spot in the playoffs.
