Less than five minutes to go, down by four points Armwood’s season was hanging by a thread. Fourth and long inside the Gainesville 20-yard line quarterback Alvin Bailey was flushed from the pocket. He ran right, but was cut down four yards shy of the marker and the Hurricanes took over.
Coaches and players alike on the Armwood sideline shouted the same thing: “Get the ball back.”
Sophomore defensive back Kyle Gibson obliged. Gainesville [10-3] quarterback Mark Cato ran to his left and lowered his shoulder, but it was Gibson who brought the lumber. Fans, players, coaches erupted as Cato fell to the ground and the ball squirted out. Senior linebacker Keionne Baines scooped up the loose ball and ran nine yards into the endzone – or so everyone thought.
The line judge hesitated following the hit. He blew his whistle ruling Cato down by contact. The head referee, though, hurled his bean bag to the spot indicating it was a fumble. A conference between the officials ensued as players from each side urged the officials to give their respective team the ball.
“I was nervous [during the officials’ conference],” Gibson said. “I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen because I thought they [Hurricanes] was gonna keep the ball and run the clock out, but I just kept faith and they finally gave the right call.”
The decision ultimately went in Armwood’s favor, but it wasn’t granted a touchdown. The Hawks took over at the Hurricanes 10.
“I knew it was a fumble,” Baines said. “But they took my touchdown away.”
Bailey would not let a second chance go by the wayside for the now 13-0 Armwood Hawks.
On third down Bailey dropped back and looked right. He found Wade Edwards standing alone in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown to give the Hawks its first lead of the game.
“When I called the play [coach] was just like ‘okay Alvin, I believe,” Bailey said. “It’s not over until it’s over and that’s what we just kept saying.”
Facing a 14-3 deficit at halftime the Hawks remained confident.
“I told them we were going to win the game,” head coach Callahan said. “We never were concerned.”
Armwood returned with 14 unanswered points in the second half to win the game and advance to the 6A state semifinals where they’ll meet Bartram Trail.
MATT JONES: The University of Florida commit was stifled by the Hurricanes run defense. Jones rushed 10 times from just 13 yards – but he was anything but a non-factor. He was heavily targeted by Bailey and his 43-yard touchdown reception sparked the Hawks’ comeback. “They brought their safety down when we went to I-formation,” Jones said of the Hurricanes loading the box. “There’s nothing you can really do about it, but just try to get your four and five yards.”
Jones also made an impact picking up blitzing Hurricane linebackers and safeties. “I was just being a team player. I know we got some more superstars here,” Jones said. “I’m just blocking my behind off because I want to get this state championship ring.”
ALVIN BAILEY: 14-for-22 passing for 192 yards – two touchdowns, one interception. Bailey also rushed for 84 yards in the win. Play action, play action, play action. Armwood’s play action fakes are crisp and well drawn out. Bailey’s athleticism allows him to move out of the pocket and he seems comfortable throwing on the run. His decision making was curious at times, but Gainesville dropped three would-be interceptions so it didn’t hurt him too much.