Vanguard edges Dunnellon in overtime thriller

Dunnellon quarterback Dylan Curry (3) scores on a 10-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of Friday night’s game at Richard Kennedy Stadium. [Photo by Mark Pinson]

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Posted September 21, 2024 | By Mark Pinson, Special to The Ocala Gazette

The Vanguard and Dunnellon rivalry on the football field is one of the best in Marion County and has seen some close and exciting games between the Knights and Tigers come down to the very last play.

Friday night’s contest was no different as Vanguard stopped a two-point run attempt by Dunnellon to earn a thrilling 21-20 overtime win at Richard Kennedy Stadium.

Vanguard senior running back Nasir Allen scored in overtime and junior kicker Jaxson Lee booted the extra point to give the Knights a 21-14 lead.

Dunnellon answered with a touchdown as junior quarterback Dylan Curry connected with Tre’Quori Rollerson on a seven-yard scoring pass. The Tigers decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win. Senior running back Dylan Donahoe ran off left tackle, but the Vanguard defense stopped him a yard short of the goal line to preserve the hard-fought victory.

The win improved the Class 4A Knights to 4-1 on the season.

“This was a typical Vanguard and Dunnellon game,” said Knights coach Edwin Farmer. “In big games like this you have to finish. Our kids stayed focused and played a great second half.”

The disappointing loss dropped the Class 3A Tigers, who lost last year to Vanguard after leading 21-0 at the half, to 3-2 overall.

“It seems like this game always comes down to the wire and we had too many busted plays, penalties and self-inflicted wounds,” said Dunnellon coach Tommy Sutton. “Vanguard is super athletic and at times we did a good job of containing them and other times we didn’t. The kids are heartbroken. It’s my fault and I’ve got to do a better job and find a way to get that last six inches.”

The teams exchanged punts to open the game before Dunnellon put together a 12-play, 62-yard scoring drive as senior tailback Jeffery Vickers found some running room between the tackles and Curry hit Sean Martin for a first down at the Vanguard 11. On second down, Curry swept around left end and found the end zone from 10 yards out. Senior kicker Mark Pastorella fooled everyone when he passed to Jayvyn Fraziars for a two-point conversion to give the Tigers’ an 8-0 lead with 7.2 seconds left in the opening period.

The score stayed the same until Vanguard finally found some success through the air midway through the third quarter as sophomore quarterback Terrance Lewis hit senior wide receiver Brenden Barber behind the Dunnellon secondary for a 64-yard touchdown pass. Jermaine White powered his way into the end zone for the two-point conversion to tie the score at 8.

Dunnellon was forced to punt, and Vanguard drove down the field and added a 31-yard field goal by Lee to go up 11-8 with 5:01 remaining in the game.

The Tigers marched 90 yards in just six plays as Curry completed a trio of long passes to move the ball to the four-yard line. Donahoe scored, but the extra point was blocked to leave Dunnellon ahead 14-11 with 3:09 to play.

The missed extra point attempt loomed large as Vanguard drove down the field and had first-and-goal at the Tigers’ 5-yard line. The Dunnellon defense rose up to stop the drive and Lee came on to boot a 25-yard field goal to tie the score at 14 with 25.3 seconds left to play.

Dunnellon took a knee, and the teams headed to overtime. In overtime, each team gets the ball on the other team’s 10-yard line. Vanguard got the ball first and Allen ripped off his scoring run. The point after by Lee gave the Knights a 21-14 lead.

Dunnellon refused to quit and scored its touchdown to pull within 21-20. After a time out, the Tigers decided to eschew the extra point and the tie and went for the victory. Donahoe followed his blocking off tackle, but the Vanguard defense stuffed the run to seal the narrow victory.

“We were going for the win,” coach Sutton said. “We liked the look, but Vanguard did a good job and beat us on that play.”

Dunnellon plays its first District 5 game of the season next Friday night at Gainesville Eastside.

Vanguard escaped with a win in a difficult place to play.

“This is a tough place to play,” coach Farmer said. “Our defense was sound and played a great game. But Jaxson Lee was great and gave us a chance to win. He kept us in this game with his kicking. This win means a lot and now we have to get ready for a district game next week.”

Vanguard is back on the gridiron on Friday night with a district game at Lecanto.