Poland’s Gavin Tibbetts dives but can’t stop Spruce Mountain’s Zach Toothaker from scampering into the end zone for a touchdown after making a nifty catch during the first half of Friday night’s football game in Poland. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
POLAND— Spruce Mountain and Poland cut loose and lit up the night sky in the air and on the ground in a wild football game Friday night.
The Phoenix (3-2) settled down and starting making a move on the stubborn Knights (2-3) late in the second quarter before pulling away with a 56-27 victory.
“Any of these guys can score,” Spruce Mountain coach David Frey said. “Zach Toothaker came to play tonight. He had a huge game.
“There is just so much talent with Jack Bryant, Brandon Frey, Kayle Stewart, Zach Toothaker, Tate Walton.”
Everybody got into the act for Spruce Mountain, with quarterback Bryant, Toothaker and Stewart doing a lot of the heavy lifting on offense.
Bryant scored on 7-, 12- and 73-yard rushes, and he found time to throw 43- and 38-yard passes to Toothaker (three touchdowns) and Stewart (two TDs). Toothaker also kicked six extra points.
For the Knights, junior quarterback Brady Downing threw four touchdown passes, including two to wide receiver Zach Cote.
“The kids played until the end,” Poland coach Spencer Emerson said. “We were on the wrong side of the battle and they are a very good football team, but we didn’t quit.
“Played until the final whistle and you know that is growth. We take pride in our competitiveness, and I told them at halftime … go out and compete.”
In the second half, the Phoenix took a 28-13 halftime lead when Bryant scored twice and connected with Toothaker for a 43-yard reception.
The Knights were about to score with a minute left in the first half, but they were at the 6-yard line when Spruce defenders Brandon Coates and Brett Hunt stopped them cold.
In the third quarter, the Phoenix scored three touchdowns, with Toothaker, Bryant and Stewart all visiting the end zone.
Poland’s Tyler Tucci tries to slow down Spruce Mountain’s Jack Bryant as he barrels through the line for a big gain during the first half of Friday night’s football game in Poland. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
Spruce Mountain’s Noah Gilbert prepares to pounce on a fumble during Friday night’s game againts Poland but a Knight beat him to it. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
Spruce Mountain’s Zach Toothaker follows his blockers as he heads up field against Poland for a big gain during the first half of Friday night’s football game in Poland. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
Spruce Mountain’s Zach Toothaker hauls in a long pass before Poland’s Zach Cote can arrive to help on the play that resulted in a Phoenix touchdown. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
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