South Lake ended a 25-year postseason drought in unforgettable fashion Friday night, outlasting Tampa Plant 37–36 in triple overtime to advance to the FHSAA Class 6A regional semifinals.

Senior running back Malik Holman barreled into the end zone on a two-point conversion in the third overtime, lifting the Eagles to their first playoff win since 1999 after Plant jumped offsides on the extra-point attempt and gave South Lake the chance to go for the win from the 1-yard line.

Makik, who, carried the ball 37 times for 258 yards and a touchdown, delivered behind blockers Jesse Barker and Quoy Nelson to seal the dramatic victory.

South Lake struck first when Malik scored on the opening drive, but a missed two-point try made it 6–0. Plant responded late in the first quarter, taking a 7–6 lead that held into halftime.

The Eagles regained momentum in the second half behind kicker Chris McKenna, who connected on field goals from 32 and 42 yards to put South Lake ahead 12–7. But with 3:45 left, Plant stunned the home crowd with a 98-yard kickoff return, then added a two-point conversion to go up 15–12.

Quarterback Tre Kelly led a late South Lake drive, highlighted by big runs from Malik Holman and a long pass to Isaiah Pina. Chris drilled his third field goal of the night, a 44-yarder with 2:24 remaining, sending the game into overtime tied at 15.

The teams traded touchdowns through three overtimes. Tre Kelly hit Isaiah Pina to match Plant in the first OT, then scored on a sweep in the second. Plant answered each time, eventually taking a 36–29 lead in the third overtime. Cam Johnson scored a touchdown to pull the Eagles within one before the decisive conversion.

Tre finished 13 of 22 for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah caught five passes for 136 yards and a score. Keydrick Powell also hauled in a touchdown. Defensively, Tyson Williams posted 14 tackles, Chase Coello had 11, and Jesse Barker added nine tackles and a sack.

“We wanted this playoff win for our school and our community,” head coach Brad Lord says. “We have a ton of work to do to be ready for Osceola next week. They’re a seasoned team that played in the state championship a season ago, but we’re excited about the challenge.”

South Lake will host Osceola in the regional semifinal on Friday, November 21st at 7 p.m.

SUNSHINE STATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION — 11-MAN

Mount Dora Christian Academy 50, Foundation Academy 18

Mount Dora Christian Academy punched its ticket to the SSAA 11-Man State Championship  improving to 12–1 with a dominant semifinal win.

Quarterback Isaac Farling ran for 210 yards and four touchdowns while TJ McCormick added 219 yards and a score. Noah Slegers contributed both a touchdown and a team-high defensive effort.

Blake Banks and Malakhi Pusey each intercepted passes, while Luke Scheveling forced a fumble recovered by Zander Schaefer. 

MDCA faces Jupiter Christian (11-1) on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at The Villages High School. Jupiter brings a high-powered attack led by quarterback Dorian Faunterloy (1,600+ yards, 18 TDs) and running back Randolph Wilkerson (1,000+ yards, 24 TDs).

This is going to be a fantastic matchup and will be a terrific end to one of the most entertaining seasons in Sunshine State Athletic Association history. 

SSAA 8-MAN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Real Life Christian Academy 49, Merritt Island Christian 26. 

Real Life Christian Academy from Clermont (12-0), will play for its first state title in school history after an undefeated run under head coach Daniel Sousa, transforming the Raptors into one of Florida’s premier 8-man programs.

They beat Merritt Island Christian 49-26 to earn the biggest opportunity the football program has ever had.

Senior QB Caleb Burden has more than 2,500 combined yards and 44 touchdowns, while running back Johnny Olson has surpassed 1,069 yards with 12 touchdowns. 

Defensively, Noah Durkee leads with nine interceptions and 124 tackles, and Inman Beardslee has 114 tackles.

The Raptors will face Bradenton Christian (12-0), the state’s No. 1-ranked 8-man program. Quarterback Holland Hume has thrown for 2,200 yards and 30 TDs. Receiver Connor Henderson has 1,132 yards and 13 TDs. They headline a dangerous passing attack.

The championship game will be played Friday at 1.p.m. at The Villages High School.

OTHER RESULTS

Wildwood Middle High advanced to the regional finals in their respective class with a 28-12 win over Jefferson County and will travel to Fort White for a Thursday matchup at 7 p.m.

Eliminated from FHSAA postseason play last week were: 

The Villages (9–2)

South Sumter (6–5)

Tavares (6–5)

East Ridge (6–5) 

Congratulations to all those teams on winning seasons and making it to the playoffs which is no easy feat these days.