NICEVILLE — Niceville knew there was little to no margin for error against a rival that wins district titles and ranks third in Region 1-5A.
But a touchdown drop that beckoned memories of the Crestview loss and a 12-yard sack taken on the first play of overtime were just a few mistakes that plagued Niceville’s 42-36 overtime loss to the visiting Dolphins on Thursday at Eagle Stadium
This one, more than 4A Choctaw or 6A Crestview, stings the worst. After all, a win meant district supremacy and playoff security for the Eagles (4-4), currently ranked No. 8 the playoff standings. Instead, Mosley has a third straight district title as Niceville enters an open week with Milton and Navarre looming to close out the schedule.
Niceville currently leads Chiles (4-3), set to host Lincoln Friday night, by a 5.521-3.492 margin for the final playoff spot. Matanzas is in 10th with 2.890 points, followed by Fleming Island with 1.724. Scoreboard watching is in Niceville’s future.
The Eagles had every chance Thursday night to make their playoff path more secure, including a key drop down 36-33 late in the fourth quarter. Deagan McCoy had Robert Oliver open on a 38-yard touchdown, but the pass fell through the bread basket of Oliver and the Eagles had to settle for a 35-yard field goal by Camrin Pearson to force overtime.
In overtime, Chisolm scored on a 10-yard run to give him 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the night. But with Mosley opting for the two-point conversion, Chisolm was held short of goal line. Advantage Eagles, who only needed 10 yards on four plays and a successful PAT.
But instead of opting to feed Gilyard, who had 175 yards and two touchdowns on the night, Deagan McCoy rolled out to his right and absorbed a 12-yard sack back to the 22 yard line. After two passes set up fourth down, McCoy’s throw to the end zone sailed high off the fingertips of Jayden Tercero — Niceville’s only offense in the first half with a pick-six and an interception to the 5 yard line to set up another score — to kick off the Mosley celebration.
“We needed a stop,” said Fletcher Taylor, a highly touted tight end who picked up an interception. “We have players that make plays, and we made plays. This proves we’re the best in the district and we put the work in.”
Niceville players and coaches looked on in disbelief, the feeling all too familiar after losing rivalry games to Crestview and Choctaw on the same field.
McCoy finished 18 of 36 for 263 yards and three touchdowns, all in the second half on a 79-yard screen to Gilyard, a 24-yarder to Teray Geiger and a 17-yarder to Robert Oliver to draw the Eagles to within 36-33. But his receivers had six drops, including the go-ahad touchdown and another four for first downs.
JP Holsombake finished 28 of 44 for 343 yards and three scores, a 30-yarder to Adam Land, a 42-yard connection with Carson Griffin and a 30-yarder to Ga’marcus Halstead. Mosley finishes with Arnold, Gulf Breeze and Florida High as it looks to bolster its playoff resume.
Niceville, meanwhile, is clinging to the chip-and-a-chair mentality.
“We are a really good football team, and like all football teams we make mistakes,” Tercero said. “It happens. But we just have to lock in and finish the season strong.”
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Niceville football commits costly mistakes, loses district heartbreaker to Mosley
Reporting by Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News / Northwest Florida Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
