Special teams might have cost Milton a trip to the Region 1-6A final on Friday night.
Navarre kick teams took advantage of several Milton miscues, keeping points off the board for the Panthers and leading to points for the Raiders.
First, after taking a 6-0 lead during the first quarter, Navarre blocked Milton's first extra-point attempt. Then, after taking a 12-6 lead during the second quarter, the Panthers missed another extra point.
The woes continued in the second half, a blocked punt led to a Navarre touchdown and a shanked punt kept Milton from being able to flip the field.
"That hurt us big time," Milton head coach Chafan Marsh said. "When I talk about turnovers, I talk about that punt as one of them. They got a touchdown off that punt, so that had a lot to do with (the outcome)."
Milton fights to the end
Navarre's win against Milton didn't come easy.
The Panthers had the Raiders on the ropes in the first half before Navarre rallied for the win.
Marsh was disappointed in the result, but happy with the way his players competed.
Running back Andre Flakes and receiver Isaiah Jones were among Panthers who suffered injuries early in the game, but both returned to help keep the contest close.
"The kids have an incredible amount of fight. I said it five or six weeks ago, I don't know ifwe're going to win every game, but I know our kids are going to fight and keep fighting," Marsh said. "They did an incredible job of fighting (Friday). We had some kids, like Isaiah and Andre who had some injuries, but they tried to fight through them."
History lesson
There were few teams in the state of Florida on Friday night trying to extend their season against a tradition like that at Madison County. But Catholic nearly pulled it off.
Put it this way, the Cowboys' overtime win was the program's 40th in state tournament play, which ranks 13th all-time. Catholic has won 13 playoff games in its history.
Since 2001, Madison County has won two state championships (2001, '07), been the runner-up twice (2003, '04) and reached the semifinals on two other occasions (2008, '10). In Catholic's history, the program's resume shows a state runner-up finish in 2004 and two semifinal appearances in 2009 and '10.
"They came here and played a fantastic game -- fantastic," Madison County coach Mike Coe said. "Coach Seibert is a tremendous football coach and that team was prepared as good as anyone we've faced. ... We were fortunate, extremely fortunate."
Moore proves to be difference
Prior to Friday's rematch between the Northview Chiefs and Freeport Bulldogs, Northview coach Sid Wheatley felt a healthy Gabe Moore could prove to be the difference.
The junior quarterback was limited to only 15 touches in the first game, going out in the first half with an injury. Northview cruised without Moore in the lineup for Freeport, rolling to a 42-0 win over the Bulldogs.
With a healthy Moore in the mix Friday night, it proved to be much tougher for the Chiefs.
Moore ran for 57 yards and a touchdown, while completing 6-of-18 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 34-28 overtime loss to the Chiefs.
"He's a difference maker," Freeport coach Jim Anderson said of Moore. "He really did a good job and we're proud of him. All of our guys did a super job. What can you say? It's disappointing to us right now, but I couldn't be prouder of our effort.
"These games like this, we're behind the eight ball to begin with. If you matched us up, weighed us and did our speed times, you wouldn't even think we could stay on the field. I'm proud of our guys. We had a shot to win, it just didn't go our way. I'm sure Northview will continue to do a fine job. Coach (Sid) Wheatley and his staff do a great job and they've got a great team."
Navarre picks up Robinson-Pettus
With time running out and Navarre trying to milk the clock, Raiders running back/defensive back Johnny Robinson-Pettus did the one thing he wanted to avoid -- he fumbled.
Milton took over with a final chance to win the game, and Robinson-Pettus took his position on defense, hoping to make amends for his mistake.
He came up big on the first play, breaking up a pass and nearly pulling in an interception.
"I had my whole team behind me," Robinson-Pettus said. "They told me to shake it off and not let it aaffect my play because it could have to led to a big play because (Dejon Funderburk) is pretty quick."
The Raiders forced and recovered a fumble on the next play to earn the win.
"That fumble, we can live with that," Navarre quarterback Andrew Rieves said of Robinson-Pettus' miscue. "We can afford that. Johnny's helped us out so many times, it's fine."
