The Nease Panthers completed a comeback that will be remembered for the ages, after trailing 21-0 at halftime only to defeat the rival St. Augustine Yellow Jackets on the road, 35-34 in overtime.
The defense stopped the Yellow Jackets two-point conversion attempt in overtime, as quarterback Locklan Hewlett was stood up by a combined effort from Nease linebackers Noah Hodge and Kyle Hurtado.
“I saw him coming at me, and I just knew I had to make a play, the instincts just kicked in,” Hodge said. “It was definitely intense out there and there’s a lot going on, but you just do the best you can to stay locked in and focused on the job at hand.”
The comeback was kicked off after Elisha Luckett picked off a pass and returned it down the right sideline for a touchdown on the opening play of the second half.
“Coach Drafts is like the best pep-talker ever, and at halftime he said that he needed some playmakers to make some plays,” Luckett said. “When I saw the ball in the air, as just knew this was our chance to get back in it.”
From there, the defense was lockdown, and the offense established a rhythm, as Nate Harry threw for four touchdowns and 252 yards on the night, with two going to fellow senior Maddox Spencer, including the game-winner in overtime.
Down the stretch, Harry showcased ice water in his veins and was not overwhelmed by the big moment at all, and in fact embraced it fully.
It was also a historic night for Spencer, who finished tying the school record with 15 catches in a game, while tallying 179 yards and hauling in two touchdowns.
As the game wore on sounded more and more like a Nease home game, as the Panthers’ faithful were on their feet and making noise as they could sense the comeback bid taking place, while the Yellow Jackets’ fans struggled to find moments to cheer about.
“We knew all along that we if we made our adjustments we were going to come back,” Spencer said. “You don’t know how much it means being on the sideline tired and then you hear the whole crowd start going. It really picks you up and makes you want to get back out there.”
The win was the first for the Panthers in the rivalry in seven years and is one that will also boost their ranking and send shockwaves throughout the state.
The Panthers follow up one tough game with another, as they carry major momentum and move to No. 2 in Class 6A heading into district play at home against No. 4 Gainesville Buchholz.
According to Harry, the emotions of the win over rival St. Augustine is huge, but the page must also be turned quick to the next game.
“We definitely feel good after this win, but we can’t get a big head from this,” Harry said. “There’s still plenty of ways where we can continue to get better, while focusing on what’s in front of us.”
