RUMFORD — Austin Darling followed the script perfectly for Spruce Mountain on Friday, benefitting from a total team effort and helping to lead the Phoenix to a critical season-ending victory.
Darling saw an opening, broke outside and sprinted for a 10-yard touchdown on the Phoenix’s first play in overtime, capped a thrilling 18-12 win over Mountain Valley in the rain at Chet Bulger Field.
The Falcons had the first series of the extra session — the ball is placed on the 10-yard line and the offense has four downs. The first play went for negative-one yard, and two penalties — offsides and delay of game — moved the Falcons back. A field goal attempt by Kyle Farrar had plenty of distance, but sailed wide right.
Darling, a 5-foot, 7-inch senior, ended the suspense in quick fashion with a cut left and when the tackle blocked down. Darling had a wide open space.
“We went with an unbalanced line,” said Darling, who gained 65 yards on seven carries. “I saw an opening and cut back. “
“This is big for us. I had just wanted to see what type of defense that they would come out in,” Spruce Mountain coach David Frey said.
There was a lot at stake, with the winner earning home-field advantage for a quarterfinal playoff game.
“We used our regular running plays. But, we did adjust things in the second with the blocking.”
Mountain Valley (4-4) dropped to No. 6, and will be on the road next week.
The Falcons had taken their first lead when Farrar (73 yards, 11 carries) broke three tackles and sprinted 37 yards for a TD with 2:06 left in regulation. The kick was blocked, but Mountain Valley led, 12-6.
On the first play from scrimmage, Spruce Mountain quarterback Caulin Parker was intercepted by Nate White. The Phoenix defense held and forced a punt by Dylan Desroches. Kayle Stewart fielded the ball near the 40, cut back across the grain and dashed untouched for a TD with less than one minute to play. The conversion try was held inches short.
The elements and field condition dictated the style of play. Spruce Mountain established the line of scrimmage early, and gained 177 rushing yards on 42 carries.
Spruce Mountain relied on its three-headed monster backfield with Caulin Parker (53 yards, 11 carries), Darling and Dillion Webster (49 yards, blocked punt.
Mountain Valley gained 222 yards on 50 carries.
“Spruce had come out on fire in first quarter,” said Mountain Valley coach Pat Mooney, whose team endured a long drive that ended with a Parker TD. The Spruce Mountain defense forced three-and-outs on the Falcons’ first four series. Finally, Jacob Blanchard broke the line and ran 61 yards for a TD with 15.5 seconds left in the first half.
“We adjusted for the second half and revised the blocking,” Mooney said. “I was proud of our defense (two red zone stops). We wanted to take away Spruce’s passing game and we did. We was without Ian Brennick and Avery Bradeen was injured in first quarter. I just told the guys to suck it up.”
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