‘We were just one point short:’ Buchholz’s season ends in state semifinals again with Lakeland loss

GAINESVILLE – The anchor down at midfield signaled the end for Buchholz.

All season, the Bobcats ransacked opponents at Citizens Field, but as Trace Johnson’s final pass as a sophomore fell incomplete, the roles reversed.

The defending state champions Lakeland stormed the field and threw their anchor down on the sandy grass. One side rejoiced in ecstacy, the other wept.

The Dreadnaughts defeated Buchholz 21-20 Friday night to advance to the Class 4S title game, setting up a rematch with Venice next Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee.

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For the Bobcats, the season concludes at 13-1 and in the state semifinals for the third year in a row and the first time at home.

“Our kids left everything they had out on the table,” coach Chuck Bell said. “There was no play left in the bag that we couldn’t have pulled out. We were just one point short.”

Bell has called Buchholz’s special team his baby this season, and unfortunately, the Bobcats’ miscues at the position told the story of the game.

TOUCHDOWN BOBCATS

A critical penalty on 4th and 7 allows Buchholz to go for it on 4th and 2

Myles Graham converts, and Quinton Cutler (@cutler_quinton) does the rest

Senior scores from nine yards out, and the Bobcats take a 7-0 lead over Lakeland

9:12 left in the first pic.twitter.com/wvt0vEp24T

— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) December 2, 2023

Buchholz received the ball first and exploded down the field, capped off by a Quinton Cutler nine-yard…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/were-just-one-point-short-062520731.html

Author : The Gainesville Sun

Publish date : 2023-12-02 06:25:20

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