Daytona FL- The truth in football is something everyone seeks, but rarely can handle. It’s a fact that reveals itself in many ways. A more athletic team can be beaten by a more disciplined team. A bigger team can be beaten by a team that out hustles the other. Or in the case of the Bolles Bulldogs, a team that starts strong can be beaten by a team that finishes strong. That inconvenient truth became evident Wednesday night at Daytona Municipal Stadium, as the clock struck zeros, and Booker T. Washington (Miami) hoisted the Class 4A State Championship trophy defeating Bolles 25-21.
Bolles built a 21-10 halftime lead over Booker T making a “frew” conventional and non-conventional plays by sophomore Kade Frew. His first was of the non conventional kind, when in the first quarter he recovered a fumble by fellow receiver Davis Ellis and advanced it to the end-zone for the game’s first touchdown. Bolles led 7-0 with 6:58 to play in the 1st quarter.
Booker T would respond quickly, moving down the field with their signature speed and play making ability. Quarterback Torey Morrison mixed the run with the pass, culminating in 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacorey Brooks. The score tied the game at 7 all with 4:24 to play in the first.
The plays kept coming for Bolles and Kade Frew on the Bulldog’s next drive. Quarterback Ben Netting ran the ball very effectively, converting first downs on zone reads. Yet he’d rely on his arm to score points for the Bulldogs as he hit Few on a short pass to which Frew weaved through defenders with lightning quickness to score his second touchdown of the quarter. Bolles was in business with just 12 seconds on the clock, as they led Booker T, 14-7 heading to the second quarter.
Booker T moved the ball down the field again on their next possession courtesy of Torey Morrison’s passing. A big pass to Brooks got the ball into the Bolles red-zone setting up a prime scoring opportunity for Booker T. However, the Bulldog’s defense was able to protect the touchdown, as Booker T settled for a field goal. Bolles-14, Booker T -10 with 9:14 2nd.
Bolles would look to answer the scoring drive by Booker T, and who better to go to than their sensational sophomore Kade Frew. With 6:17 to play in the 2nd quarter, Netting would complete a short pass to Frew, who eluded a tackler and raced 46-yards for another Bolles touchdown. The spectacular play was Frew’s third touchdown of the half.
Everything was clicking for Bolles, including an interception in the end-zone when Jackson Fowler tipped the pass and Will Netting came down with the pick as Bolles took a 21-10 lead into halftime.
It was a dream come true for Frew, who just two years ago was making plays in junior high school at Green Cove Junior High. Yet the dream for he and his teammates of securing Bolle’s record 12th state title would be deferred by Booker .T late in the game. After a scoreless third quarter in which both defenses stifled one another. A Colson Cronk sack by Bolles forced a Booker T three and out. While Kavon Moore and Tramel Logan would sack Jeremiah Johnson for Bolles in the fourth. The score remained 21-10 as Bolles hoped to hold on with just five minutes remaining in the game.
The next five minutes would change the entire trajectory of the game, as Booker T. Washington made championship plays. The first, a Torey Morrison touchdown pass to Jacorey Brooks, in which Brooks created separation from the defender and leaped for the reception. A 2-point pass by Morrison to Adam Moore and the Bolles lead was chopped to 21-18.
On the next drive, Bolles would convert on a big first down, but fumble on the drive recovered by Booker T’s John Joachin Jr to give the Tornadoes a first down in Bolles territory. Yet Bolles still held the lead with 4 minutes to play. Their defense would force a 4th and 18 when Hayden Schwartz batted down a 2nd down pass, and Morrison fumbled a shot gun pass. On 4th and a mile, Morrison would scramble around and hit his receiver Edward Arza Jr for a 20 yard gain and a first down. Arza, who dropped two crucial passes earlier in the game, came up with possibly the biggest for his team. On the next play Morrison would run it in for a 15-yard touchdown to give his team the lead 25-21 with 2:50 to play in the game.
Bolles would get one final shot to comeback, but a sack by Booker T’s John Joachin Jr, and a batted ball on 4th down by Adam Moore sealed their fate. Booker T would convert a first down on offense and erupt in celebration as Bolles used all their timeouts. Bolles would fall to Booker T again 25-21.
Bolles ends their season 11-2, including a 9-1 regular season with 9 straight wins by first year head coach Matt Toblin. Frew finished with three touchdowns in game, and Brooks finished with two scores for Booker T. In the end, the Tornadoes stat line told a very different story from the actual game itself. Booker T racked up 377 total yards while Bolles netted 177. Yet Bolles seemed to be in control for most of the game, leading 21-10 with just over five minutes to go in the game. In the end however, Booker T made just few more plays than Bolles, and it proved to be the difference in the contest.
