Spring roundup | DeLand nips TFA; Ending generates playoff atmosphere
DeLand and The First Academy delivered an exciting, playoff-like atmosphere Friday night in Central Florida’s final spring football game at TFA. After TFA had taken a 35-28 lead with 2:14 remaining, DeLand quarterback Gardner Nordman engineered a perfect scoring drive, capping it with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Taijh Moore. Trailing 35-34, DeLand coach Rick Darlington opted to go for the win, and Moore muscled into the end zone on a two-point conversion for the victory 36-35.
It was a wild fourth quarter. Midway through the final period, DeLand faced a 4th-and-2 play, and the Bulldogs went for it. But Nordman missed the mark by one inch on a quarterback keeper, and TFA took over at the 50-yard line.
With the game tied at 28-28, running back Tamauri Collins, a transfer from Tavares, flashed to the outside and got loose on a 42-yard touchdown scamper, giving TFA a 35-28 led with 2:14 remaining. Then Deland went to work and Darlington tried a little trickery. On third down, DeLand called for a double pass and it worked to perfection.
Gardner threw a backward pass to Moore, who then threw a perfect pass to Cristian Baez for a 31-yard gain with 1:04 remaining. Moore and Kaveon Jackson took turns pounding the ball on the ground and then Gardner hit Moore with the big touchdown that set off a wild DeLand celebration on the Bulldogs’ sideline. The 2-point conversion solidified the victory.
Bishop Moore impresses in jamboree sweep; Lake Howell coach proud, but not satisfied TFA had a shot at one more play, but Jordan Banks, who had a very impressive game, ended the game with a sack of Moore. “They got good players, no doubt. They’re about what we thought they were.
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