Seminole and Lake Brantley put on a show for the ages last night in the form of a 48-41 playoff thriller that saw Seminole prevail in the final seconds of the battle.
The win was a seminal moment for coach Don Stark's program. Last season Lake Brantley ended the Seminole's playoff hopes, so this in this one revenge was definitely sweet.
"The intensity of the game was high before it started. We knew how talented Lake Brantley is and how we had to play all four quarters, that's what kept us composed. We're knew we would have to fight all game and that's how we're built," offered Seminole quarterback Kaylan Wiggins.
Indeed, this one was an intense instant classic. There were ten lead changes in the game. Six times the advantage switched hands in a fourth quarter that resembled Rocky III, with the teams channeling Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang, bloodied and bruised, exchanging haymakers in the final round.
Five-foot-nine, 179-pound senior Seminole running back DJ Hampton would play the role of Sylvester Stallone. The scrappy scat back scored on runs of 73, 83, 15, and the game winner from 9 yards out in the final seconds.
After Lake Brantley's Carneilous Dennison (136 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries) punched the ball in to take a 41-40 lead with 57 seconds left in the game, DJ Hampton knew he had to come out swinging on the ensuing kickoff.
"I knew the kick return would dictate how the game went. I thought about all those hard workouts my team and I went through in the off season. They were for situations like last night," said Hampton.
Standout Seminole defensive end and FSU commit DJ Artis also reflected on the moment before DJ Hampton's heroic kick return.
"It was crazy when they took the lead I can't lie, I got a little down on myself because I felt like I missed a tackle that allowed them to score that last touchdown. I knew what needed to be done on the kick return though. I knew DJ saw a hole on the return but there were two people in his way. So I did all i could and hit one of them and he ended up taking out the other guy too. DJ saw that and just took off up the hole, the rest is history," recounted Artis.
"The sideline was crazy when DJ was returning the ball, we all got together before the return and told him do what he does best and he came through for us like always," boasted Wiggins.
Hampton would punch the ball in from nine yards out after his back breaking kick return providing the winning touchdown in this 48-41 masterpiece.
Quarterback Kaylan Wiggins was also instrumental for the Seminole offense, balancing the attack with touchdown throws of 43 yards to junior Juri Sabb and a 20 yard jump ball to UCF commit Gabe Davis.
"On the first TD pass I saw that they put their running back out at corner and we run a route concept that confused him on so I took advantage of that. On the next TD I just threw a simple jump ball to the best receiver in central Florida they had 1 on 1 coverage on him so we took advantage," remarked Wiggins.
DJ Artis suffered a leg injury on the final defensive stand that sealed the Seminole victory but he was optimistic on the morning after.
"I should be fine, my boys are dogs man and they'll be fine without me. Hopefully I only have to sit one week if i even have to sit at all," appraised Artis.
This one was definitely a dog fight and the undefeated Seminoles (11-0) came out victorious but bloodied.
Nonetheless, nothing could stop the Seminoles from celebrating their hard-fought win.
We celebrated like we do after any game, we went to Smokey Bones for dinner with our band, dazzlers, cheerleaders and all the parents! It was great," laughed DJ Hampton.
As joyous as last night was, life is just a party and parties aren't meant to last. Next week Seminole will face a talented Winter Park team in the 8A State Semifinals. DJ Hampton and company will once again have to remind themselves of all those off season workouts and dig deep late in November if they are to continue on their quest for a state title.
