Vernon makes big play, scores and holds on

Vernon, Fla. — Northview’s defense played lights out, but Vernon made one big play that led to a touchdown and the Yellow Jackets held on despite a late Chiefs surge to win 8-7 earlier tonight in the FHSAA’s Class 1A regional semifinal.

Within two minutes of the contest, the Chiefs’ defense stopped the Yellow Jackets with an interception in the end zone to cause the first of several turnovers in the game. VHS handed the ball over six times compared to Northview’s two on the night.

Northview’s defense held VHS on a short 7-yard drive early in the second quarter, and that led to the Chiefs drawing first blood on a stellar reverse play.

On a second down play and at the Yellow Jackets 12-yard line, NHS quarterback Gavin Grant pitched to Luke Ward who found Toney Harrison for a touchdown pass with 6:32 left in the first half.

The score would stay 7-0 until halftime after two big stops by the Chiefs with a stout third-and-out series and an interception with 1.9 seconds left.

After the first four offensive series going nowhere and an exchange of turnovers, the Yellow Jackets — two possessions later — found a big play they’d been looking for all night.

Darrius Peterson found a hole on the right end and raced 74 yards down to the Chiefs’ 1-yard line. Peterson raced around right end three plays later and with the 2-point conversion, VHS took a 8-7 lead it would never give up.

The Chiefs were backed to their 1-yard line and surged ahead to the 49, but couldn’t convert a fourth down play in the end.

NHS finishes its season 2-7.