BARTRAM TRAIL – It had all the makings of a classic game, two top five ranked teams and both playing with a lot at stake.
If you like defense, this was a game for the ages as well as No. 3 Liberty Pines held off No. 4 Switzerland Point 14-8 at Bartram Trail.
Perhaps it was the sloppy conditions of a wet field and on and off rain storm that passed through the stadium, both offenses which averaged nearly 45-50 points a game were not existent.
Early on Swiss Point quarterback Trent Delaerae had some success finding receiver Eloka Modozie open and tailback AJ Megas was able to find some holes picking up several first downs, yet nobody could move down the field consistently.
After a scoreless first half that saw several fumbles, dropped catches and way to many penalties, the pace picked up in the third quarter.
Dominic Fields returned a punt 50 yards for an apparent score to give Swiss Point an apparent 6-0 lead but the officials ruled a block in the back on the play nullifying the score.
The play proved to be the turning point of the game as four plays later, Eric Weatherly returned a punt 80 yards zig zagging his way through the Raiders defense for a score and 8-0 lead for the Wolves with 3:24 left in the third quarter.
Fields took a pitch and was hit head on by Dylan Chiedo on the first play of the next drive for a 1 yard gain. The Wolves defense shut down the dynamic tailback through out the game.
Three plays later, Delaere threw a pass right over the middle of the field and right at safety Weatherly, who picked off the pass near midfield with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter.
That’s when the Liberty Pines offense put together a 12-play, 67-yard, five and half minute drive that not only chewed up nearly all the fourth quarter, but gave the Wolves some much needed breathing room.
Weatherly picked up a first down on fourth and 1 play to extend the drive early on and then raced 17 yards before being tackled by Fields in a touchdown saving tackle at the 30-yard line.
Another fourth down conversion by Weatherly kept the drive alive as Weatherly picked up four yards on a fourth and three play.
Two plays later, Weatherly raced 19 yards cutting left and then up the middle untouched for a 14-0 with 3:18 left in the game.
While Weatherly picked up the key first downs, his back mates Alex Billings, Ethan Miller and Zeke Cromwell also ran the ball effective through out the game including the lengthy drive in the fourth quarter.
Ezekiel Romero sacked Delaere on the ensuing play after the score to put the Raiders even further back the field t the 31-yard line.
Four plays later, Jack McCabe interception with 2:04 remaining in the game appeared to have clinched the game for the Wolves.
However, a quick three and out forced by the Raiders defense gave them the ball back with under under a minute remaining.
Delaere hooked up with Fields for a 70 yard Hail Mary as Fields got past the Wolves secondary and raced down the sideline untouched to cut the lead to 14-8 with 30.9 seconds left.
Swiss Point attempted an onside kick and recovered it giving them one last chance to possibly steal a win. Four straight incomplete passes by Delaere, including a knock away from Weatherly, gave the Wolves the ball back.
Weatherly took a knee and the Wolves held on to the 14-8 win and remain undefeated on the season.
Six weeks into the season and the Wolves remain one of the surprise teams of the season setting a new school record with each win.
More importantly the Wolves earned their first ever win over arch-rival Swiss Point in ten tries, who now lead the all-time series 9-1.
Liberty Pines (6-0) plays Fruit Cove (6-0) next Wednesday in a 7 p.m. game at Plantation Park in a showdown between the only two remaining undefeated teams.
Swiss Point (4-2) plays Landrum (3-3) at Cornerstone Park at 5 p.m. with the winner taking control of the fourth seed.
Week 8, Oct 11
Swiss Point vs Landrum (Cornerstone), 5
Valley Ridge at Murray, 5
Gamble Rogers at Pacetti Bay, 5
Sebastian vs Patriot Oaks (Plantation), 5
Liberty Pines vs Fruit Cove (Plantation), 7
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