Vanguard edges Auburndale in playoffs

Vanguard running backs James Pullings and Sergarion Gunsby each scored a rushing touchdown, and junior quarterback Terrance Lewis added a touchdown pass to lead the Knights to a 21-14 win over Auburndale in a Class 4A-Region 2 quarterfinal on Nov. 14 at Booster Stadium.

The hard-earned victory improved Vanguard to an impressive 9-2 on the season. The Knights advance to the regional semifinals on Nov. 21 where they will face Jones High School out of Orlando.

“It was a good, physical game,” said Knights veteran coach Edwin Farmer. “The offensive line blocked well and our backs ran hard. This team has a chance to win it all, but we just have to keep grinding and working to get better.”

Vanguard, the number four seed in the region, took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in 10 plays, nine of them runs, with Gunsby, a talented junior, scoring on a 10-yard scamper. The extra point by senior Lazaro Abuin gave the Knights a 7-0 lead.

The defenses dominated until midway through the second period when Auburndale put together a 13-play, 81-yard drive with senior fullback Terry Sullivan powering into the end zone from 6-yards out. Sullivan gained 49 yards in 12 carries. The point after by senior Luke Slagel tied the score at 7 with 4:16 left before halftime.

Vanguard took the lead late in the third quarter on a 55-yard, 12-play drive with Lewis connecting with junior Jordan McConico on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone. Lewis completed 8 of 14 passes for 73 yards. The point after made it 14-7.

Auburndale, the number five seed which finished the season at 8-3, moved methodically down the field as freshman quarterback Teo Edwards utilized his arm and legs to pick up first downs. Edwards, who completed 9 of 16 passes for 146 yards, found running back Jason McGough Jr. wide open on a wheel route down the left sideline for a 28-yard scoring strike. The point after tied the score at 14 with 6:10 left in the game.

Vanguard answered in lightning fashion by covering 73 yards in just four plays, as Gunsby who gained 72 yards on eight carries, ripped off a 43-yard run through the middle of the Bloodhounds’ defense. After a short run by Lewis, who gained 62 yards on 13 rushes, Pullings broke several tackles on a 22-yard gallop and finished the drive by diving into the end zone from 5-yards out. Pullings, a senior and powerful runner, rushed for 108 yards on 20 carries. The extra point gave the Knights a 21-14 lead.

Auburndale went nowhere and was forced to punt. Vanguard kept the ball on the ground forcing the Bloodhounds to use their three timeouts. But a fumble by the Knights deep in Auburndale territory gave the Bloodhounds the ball with one final chance to tie or take the lead with 2:22 left in the game.

The Vanguard defense, which had four sacks on the night, tackled Edwards behind the line for a big loss on first down as the clock continued to run. A pair of incomplete passes and a final sack ended the threat. Vanguard took a knee to run out the clock to seal the victory.

The Knights are looking forward to playing Jones in the regional semifinals. Jones eliminated Vanguard from last year’s state playoffs in a tightly contested game.

“We are very familiar with Jones and they know us,” coach Farmer said. “We lost to them last year in a very close game in the regional finals. We’ll get back to work on Monday and be ready to go on Friday night.”

Vanguard Defeats Auburndale 21-14

6 photos