Marjory Stoneman Douglas Football. {Top Shot Media}
By: Matt Rothman
For the first time since the 2007-08 season, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas football team picked up a win in the postseason.
After defeating Boyd H. Anderson High School in 2007, the Eagles, who came in as the higher seed, defeated Santaluces Community High School 48-44.
This was Head Coach Quentin Short’s first postseason victory after coaching MSD for four years.
It was a historic game for running back Clayton Cannon Jr., who set the all-time single-season rushing record. Needing 105 to pass Orville Reynolds, Cannon had 245 yards on the ground Monday night.
“It was an insane football game,” said Coach Short. “We just kept fighting, and I am so proud of them.”
The Eagles started the game off with an onside kick and quickly scored right after Ryan Spallina’s first touchdown of the game. After Santaluces tied it up, Spallina responded again with another score to make it 15-8.
After MSD was able to stop a fake punt, Tyler Aller connected on a field goal before Justin Spano added another score before halftime to put the Eagles up 16. In the second half, Spallona added his third touchdown of the game. Cannon then added another score for his 14th of the season.
MSD fell behind 44-40 late in the fourth quarter, but they responded again on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Spallina to Brite Cannon. The Eagles were able to make a defensive stop and hold on for the win.
Next, MSD faces top-seeded Palm Beach Central High School in the Regional Semifinals. The Broncos are 10-1 this year and defeated Jupiter High School in their opening playoff game. Their only loss this year came against Pahokee High School in their fourth game.
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