SEBASTIAN RIVER — It was a moment 19 years in the making. Sebastian River High School Sharks won their first district championship after defeating the South Fork High School Bulldogs in a 41 – 30 victory at home Nov. 2.
The stage was set with clear skies and a cool breeze in the air. As an orange autumn sun burned out into the horizon, the Sharks and Bulldogs took to the field. It was, for lack of a better term, “perfect football weather.”
The first half was filled with both teams vying to put points on the board.
A series of runs by Sharks running back Nick Cooper moved the ball down the field into scoring range. With help from yards gained by Nate Pryor, Sebastian River fielded good position when Aaron Roberson knocked in a 33-yard field goal on fourth down.
With the Sharks up by three unanswered points, the Sebastian River defense put pressure on the Bulldogs offense.
Sharks gained good starting position on a short South Fork punt. Cooper leaped in over Bulldog defenders for the Sharks first touchdown of the night, leaving the score 10 – 0 in Sebastian River’s favor.
In the start of the second quarter, the Bulldogs hit a 10 yard field goal to put 3 points on the board.
With just under seven minutes left in the half, Bulldogs players fumbled and Sharks defensive tackle Alex Stewart recovered the ball. Sebastian River took possession on South Fork’s 48 yard line.
Sharks receiver Nate Pryor’s 38-yard took a run up the middle of the field through defenders for a touchdown that brought the score to 17 – 3 with fewer than six minutes left in the first half.
The Sharks were on a roll.
Next, Sebastian River defensive end Patrick Bethel picked off a Bulldogs pass and ran seven yards for a touchdown. With a good point after, the score was 24 – 3 with about five minutes left in the half.
Before the end of the second quarter the Bulldogs bit back.
A strong 50-yard kickoff return by South Fork put them in good scoring position that lead to the first Bulldogs touchdown of the game.
Responding to the South Fork scoring drive, Sebastian River then added three points on field goal after a strong running drive.
Another Cooper touchdown run early in third quarter left the scoreboard at 34-10 for the Sharks.
Throughout the third quarter, the Bulldogs struggled hold the line and keep the Sharks at bay.
With just over three minutes left in the third quarter Bulldogs scored on a four yard run by receiver Mike Harris, leaving the score 34 – 17.
Later in the third quarter a series of penalties prevented the Sharks from scoring.
Capitalizing on Shark mistakes, the Bulldogs gain momentum in the middle of the fourth quarter.
A 32-yard run by Bulldogs Vinnie Norelli yielded a touchdown that brought the score to 34 – 24.
The Sharks finally managed to boost their lead again in the fourth quarter when Octavian Jefferson ran the ball in for a touchdown on a 50-yard hand-off, bringing the score to 41 – 24 for the Sharks.
The Bulldogs wouldn’t go down without a fight.
With three minutes left in the game, South Fork wunderkind receiver Norelli broke through Sharks defenders and scored another touchdown, bringing the Bulldogs up to 30 points.
The last two minutes were nail biters. The Sharks fought hard to keep the Bulldogs from gaining ground and scoring again.
The stadium filled with the cacophony of cheers from Sharks fans as the final seconds ticked down off the game clock. As the last ten seconds fell off the clock, players jumped in jubilation and knocked helmets together. Coaches were doused with coolers full of ice water as pandemonium erupted on the sidelines.
The Sharks made history.
Sebastian River coach Randy Bethel said that above all, he was thankful to God for the victory and success of the team.
“Oh, man, it’s absolutely awesome,” Bethel said of the win. “It was an outstanding performance by all the kids.”
South Fork also deserved credit for fielding a tough team and playing excellent football, he said.
“We spent a week in preparation for it,” Bethel said. “There were some moments out there when things could have gone another way. It’s just never really over until it’s over, you know?”
Bethel received a plaque congratulating him on the district title to a raucous standing ovation after the game.
