VERO BEACH — Vero Beach hosted St. Lucie West Centennial in a district 8-Agame at the Citrus Bowl Friday night. Among several scenarios coming into Friday’s game Vero Beach needed the win against the Eagles to avoid a three way district tie and a possible playoff Monday night.
Several injuries to key Vero players were also on the minds of Fighting Indians fans. Starting linebacker Adam Kuh was out. Offensive lineman Reche Thomas did not dress. Kicker/punter Jason Rivas didn’t kick all this week at practice as he struggled through a groin injury that he suffered last week against Palm Beach Gardens.
Centennial took an early 7-0 lead with 11:41 to go in the first quarter on a 35-yard-run by Eagles’ quarterback Javid Ellis. Ellis carried the ball most of the night for the Eagles who were able to establish an effective running game against the Vero Beach defense.
“Their quarterback had a whale of a game he was a tough runner,” Vero coach Lenny Jankowski said. “Their offensive line against our front seven gave us problems. They were able to eat clock, keep the ball, control the ball, and what they were able to do successfully was get into the end zone.”
Vero Beach tied the game in the first quarter when Vero quarterback Dalton Stokes found wide receiver Javonte Bagley for a 16-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter Ellis ran in for another touchdown but the Eagles could not convert the extra point and led Vero 13-10. Vero Beach ended the first half on a 34-yard field goal by injured kicker Jason Rivas. After making the field goal Rivas fell to the ground in pain.
“I love Vero Beach football,” Rivas said. “This team is my family and I did not want to let them down. I didn’t kick all week because I was in pain. Our trainer told me to trust myself and I did. I was hurting all night but I didn’t want to let my team down.”
Centennial blocked a Vero punt and scored to increase their lead to 20-10 in the third. Four minutes later Ellis scored again on a 6-yard run and the Eagles led 27-10. Some Vero fans thought the game was over for the Fighting Indians and headed for home, but Vero Beach refused to lie down and the fans who stayed were witness to a miraculous comeback. Vero Beach was successful on a 4th down and goal from the Eagle’s ten yard line when Stokes hit a diving Will Dawkins for a touchdown. Vero Beach trailed Centennial 27-17 at the end of the third.
Ellis convinced the Vero fans who had left that they made the right decision when he ran in another touchdown and a 33-17 Eagles’ lead with 10:39 to go in the game. Vero Beach initiated their hurry up offense and scored quickly to cut the Centennial lead to 10. The Vero Beach defense forced Centennial to punt with 8:51 to go in the game. Stokes connected on a 50 yard plus pass to Javonte Bagley who made a diving catch on the Eagles’ five.
“I got off the line and beat the corner and laid out to get it,” Bagley said. “Stokes is my boy. He through it right on point and I dove for it. Everyone was very excited for me.” Vero running back Jason Pierre scored on the next play and Vero Beach was back in business 33-30. Vero’s defense forced Centennial to punt again with 2:05 left in the game. Vero return man Will Dawkins fumbled then recovered the punt at the Vero 15 yard line. On the next play running back Jason Pierre took the handoff from Stokes 85 yards as he ran by the entire Eagles’ defense for the score.
“I asked God to help me one more time and when I got the ball I just took off,” Pierre said. “My line blocked great and I saw the hole and I just ran as fast as I could.” The touchdown by Pierre gave Vero the 37-33 lead with thirty-five seconds left in the game.
Coach Jankowski said Vero is focusing on the playoffs. “Well there’s no three way tiebreak on Monday and that puts us at runner up and we should be heading to Bradenton Manatee in the first round.”
Vero Beach will play their final game of the regular season at the Citrus Bowl Thursday night and host Santa luces.
