Story
Boca Raton 31, Vero Beach 21: Bobcats score final 10 points to advance
Saturday, November 21, 2009
by
Joseph Kairalla
Boca Raton's David Bicknell kicks a crucial 41-yard field goal win the final minutes. (Photo by Stuart Browning)
Boca Raton jumped out to a 21-point second-quarter lead then held off a furious Vero Beach comeback to defeat the Indians 31-21 in the Class 6A regional quarterfinal Friday night.
Quarterback Eddie Sullivan finished 19-for-27 for 289 yards and three TDs, all in the second quarter. A 41-yard field goal by David Bicknell with 2:15 to play gave Boca Raton (9-2, No. 4 in The Post) a 24-21 lead.
Bicknell's kick came with the Bobcats facing a fourth-and-1, but Boca coach Keith Byars said the thought of going for a first down never crossed his mind.
"I have the best kicker in the county, if not the country," Byars said. "I knew David would make it. He always does."
After a scoreless first quarter, the Bobcats took the 21-point lead on touchdown receptions by Cameron Lewis (20 yards), Terrell Williams (55 yards) and Jeremy Retzsch (24 yards) .
" When (Sullivan) gets hot, there's no stopping him," Byars said. " As he goes, we go."
Vero Beach (7-3) climbed back into the game when quarterback Alex Bryan hit receiver Joseph Garofalo with a 49-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the half .
Vero Beach running back Jormonte Hunter, who ran for 237 yards on 21 carries, scored on two 5-yard runs to tie the game at 21 in the third quarter.
The Indians appeared to take the lead when Hunter broke an 81-yard run minutes later. But a personal foul was called on Vero, negating the play . On the next play, the Indians fumbled and Boca Raton recovered .
Sullivan then led the Bobcats down the field, setting the stage for Bicknell .
Vero Beach had one last possession after the field goal, but the Bobcats forced a four-and-out. Sullivan, who has orally committed to Wake Forest, sealed the victory with a 20-yard touchdown run.
"The only two people who knew that play was coming were coach Byars and me," Sullivan said. "He pulled me over to the sideline and said, 'Keep it.' "
Boca Raton will face Treasure Coast in a regional semifinal Friday night.
"It's not going to get any easier," Sullivan said.
User Comments:
Big Stuff commented on November 21, 2009 at 1:22 a.m.: flag
Congrats to Boca Raton for their first round victory.This is an example of a team without stars and Pk is STARS without a TEAM. No one on this team is being considered for any award or received any votes and they are trying to robb their kicker of the Lou Groza Award, this kid Bicknell is clutch. If my son was a QB I would seek out Eric Davis. Eddie Sullivan can make all the throws and gets it done with far less talent in this county. Boca's defense will cost them next week against Treasure Coast. They don't shed blocks or tackle very well and this will end their run against Treasure Coast. Byars and his staff are doing alot more with alot less talent. Coaching
Bob commented on November 21, 2009 at 8:21 a.m.: flag
Boca Raton has more talent on offense than they know what to do with. They have 3 Div I recievers in Retzch, Darrisaw and T. Williams. They also have a Div I QB. They have speed, and speed kills. D is young, but O has is explosive and made up for the D's inexperience. The staff does do a great job, but let's be honest, they have plenty of talent...
oss commented on November 21, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.: flag
Where is the game next week?
mr.lion commented on November 21, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.: flag
at boca
BobcatFan commented on November 21, 2009 at 1:16 p.m.: flag
People write that "Boca doesn't have talent" like the other schools. I am presuming that is on the receiving corps like Big Stuff's reference above. Following is this year's regular season receiving statistics from the Post recompiled to rank yards per reception, which is a truer indicator of the talent. This is based upon players with at least 15 receptions and the top 4 teams are totaled at the bottom.
Rank Player School Recept. Yards Yds/Rec
1 Shorter FP Westwood 32 780 24.4
2 Williams Boca Raton 28 677 24.2
3 Charles Sem. Ridge 25 567 22.7
4 Theissen Jenson Beach 34 733 21.6
5 Clark Dwyer 21 443 21.1
6 Terry FP Westwood 18 372 20.7
7 Turner Atlantic 23 458 19.9
8 Greenwald W. Boca 19 352 18.5
9 Christian Dwyer 15 278 18.5
10 Joinville PB Gardens 15 277 18.5
11 O'Leary Dwyer 25 437 17.5
12 Retzsch Boca Raton 19 330 17.4
13 Darrisaw Boca Raton 30 505 16.8
14 Louis Atlantic 39 650 16.7
15 Mireles Atlantic 26 426 16.4
16 Lewis Boca Raton 20 326 16.3
17 Wilson Jenson Beach 24 392 16.3
18 DangerfieldRP Beach 34 543 16.0
19 Anderson FP Westwood 19 297 15.6
20 Beard Atlantic 32 477 14.9
21 Davis Lake Worth 25 371 14.8
22 Harris Treasure Coast 20 271 13.6
23 Albery Lake Worth 32 426 13.3
24 Williams Jupiter 43 537 12.5
25 Jackson FP Westwood 24 300 12.5
1 Dwyer 61 1158 19.0
2 Boca Raton 97 1838 18.9
3 FP Westwood 93 1749 18.8
4 Atlantic 120 2011 16.8
Looks to me like Boca's talent lines up just fine with the top teams but for some reason our kids don't get the recognition of some of the others. Eddie Sullivan is a great talent but he can't throw the ball then run down the field and catch it himself. In addition our undersized offensive line has blocked very well for him all season and doesn't get much love either.
With respect to the defense, Big Stuff's observations are somewhat accurate but consider again our undersized line and linebackers. We are deficient in tackling fundamentals but so far we have been able to hold our own against the power running teams. In my opinion a lot of Vero's momentum last night was caused by the inexcusble defensive lapse at the end of the first half allowing that fluke touchdown. Add in the penalties and we almost handed the game to Vero. Obviously we can't do that against a better team like Treasure Coast.
FootballMind commented on November 23, 2009 at 6:16 a.m.: flag
Boca didn't beat Vero, the one Ref that called at block in the back when Vero scored that TD to go up 28-21, I watched that play over and over about 30 times to see where there was a block in the back and there wasn't one. The ref seen the defender dove for Vero's running back which the closes person to the defender was 4 yards be hide him and when the defender dove the Vero’s player stopped and a Boca player shoved him in the back. Very bad Refereeing in Vero last two games cost them. LETS GO TC!!
Boohoo commented on November 23, 2009 at 10:54 a.m.: flag
Since you watched the film 30 times you will see RT #77 go offsides 8 different times in the game and it never get called
BobcatFan commented on November 23, 2009 at 11:54 a.m.: flag
amen to that Boohoo
i know for a fact that our players pointed it out to the refs but they still didn't call it. regardless, one play does not a game make. also, wasn't the call for a personal foul, not blocing in the back?
ballboy commented on November 23, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.: flag
Hey Coach FootballMind,
You are lucky your team didn't get blown out. If the Boca defense didn't have that .1 second let down before the half your team would have been down 21-0 and you know your team can't throw the football. If you tried to throw the ball, Eddie Sullivan might have put a 50 spot up on you. Thank the ref's for all the Boca penalties and your BAND for showing their true sportsmanship when Boca had the ball, your orders i'm sure. Typical VERO. So Coach FootballMind go collect your equipment then sit down and put on your BIB and enjoy your TURKEY ON THURSDAY, because Boca will be practicing.
Hope Boca Wins commented on November 24, 2009 at 5:40 a.m.: flag
Boca-- I hope you beat Treasure Coast!!
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