PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 5A playoffs kicked off on Thursday night across the state, showcasing one of the most exciting matchups in the 850 area. A. Crawford Mosley started strong but needed a dramatic comeback in the closing minutes to secure a 33-30 victory over Tallahassee Lincoln at Tommy Oliver Stadium. The Dolphins managed to fend off a fierce challenge despite having squandered an 18-point lead.
Head coach Tommy Joe Whiddon expressed pride in his team”s resilience, stating, “We didn”t finish drives. We turned the ball over. (Lincoln) got good players. They had their back against the wall. They opened it up more. I”m so proud of our guys and how they responded. A lot of teams would have quit right there after that comeback, to go down and score, get the two-point conversion.”
The Dolphins, boasting a record of 10-1, faced a tough regional bracket and initially took a commanding 25-7 lead. However, the Trojans, now 6-5, began to claw their way back into the contest with a touchdown and a field goal, narrowing the gap to 25-17. A pivotal interception in the fourth quarter allowed Lincoln to score again, giving them their first lead of the game at 30-25, thanks to a touchdown run by Taylor Jacobs Jr., a South Alabama commit.
With time running out, Mosley seized their final opportunity, executing a creative play reminiscent of the “Philly Special.” Fletcher Taylor took an end-around before delivering a pass to a wide-open J P Holsomebake, putting the Dolphins ahead 33-30 with only a couple of minutes remaining. Mosley”s defense stepped up, recording several sacks on Jacobs to maintain their lead and clinch the victory.
With this win, Mosley now awaits the outcome of the game between Mainland and Middleburg, as Whiddon confirmed his coaching staff would be watching the matchup live on Friday night. “We”re going to watch Daytona Mainland and Middleburg and see who wins,” he noted.
For fans eager to follow Florida high school football, the Rivals High School Scoreboard provides real-time updates and final scores, ensuring enthusiasts stay connected to the action throughout the season.
