BOCA RATON – With just over seven minutes in the fourth quarter, Boca Raton knew the play call. 

After picking up a short first down to place the Bobcats at the Santaluces’ 13-yard line, head coach Alex Savakinas and his staff knew what was next: going for the end zone and taking a 21-14 lead.

“[The goal] was to get the first down,” Savakinas said. “And then we knew we had a play.”

The play? A concept designed to beat man coverage called ‘spot fox.’

The reason? Boca Raton knew Santaluces would likely play man coverage.

“They’ve been watching film, and they decided to blitz on us a lot with a seven-man box,” Boca Raton sophomore quarterback Chance Routson explained. “We saw they went man across the board once they put those seven down. Late in the game, I saw that they kept pressing, and their corner just kept their eyes on the outside receiver all day.”

“We got our man beaters,” Routson continued. “We are a man-beater team, were a rub route team. That’s what we did again.”

Like clockwork, Routson’s first read broke free.

After selling a block, Braedon Avery broke free and ran towards the pylon. As Routson unleashed the ball, Avery was wide open. The play had worked just as planned, and all Avery had to do was catch the ball.

“We called that play presnap. That ball was going to me,” Avery said. “We knew they were playing man. I faked a block to the corner. He didn’t follow me. So that left me wide open in the end zone.” 

Routson’s connection with Avery appeared to return at the perfect time. 

After the two combined for 55 yards on three catches in Boca Raton’s win over Park Vista, Avery missed time with a calf injury that required surgery. However, after battling back to return for this week’s game, the two combined at arguably the most critical part of the game.

That fight is likely why coaches and players speak incredibly highly of the senior wide receiver.

“He’s just one of those kids where you want him to see it out his four years. And you can tell it’s paying dividends this year,” Savakinas said of Avery. “He’s a kid I trust. He’s got great hands, and he goes out, and he makes a big play. I couldn’t be more proud of that kid. One of my favorite kids.”

Routson appeared to agree with Savakinas’ assessment. 

“He’s just a team player. He does what he needs to do for the team. He’s not worried about his stats, not worried about his film,” Routson said. He’s just a ‘dawg’ senior living out his last season with the boys.” 

Despite the touchdown, Boca Raton knew the game wasn’t over yet.

To feel entirely comfortable, Savakinas felt the Bobcats would have to get the ball back and score again to go up two scores. And Savakinas would soon get his wish.

On the next drive, Santaluces’ pass was ruled incomplete on fourth down, giving Boca Raton the ball back in good field position.

After a heavy dosage of the run game, Boca Raton fought their way down to the goal line before settling for a short field goal.

“We knew there was a strong chance they would score again,” Savakinas said. “So, we kept telling ourselves, ‘Hey, let’s get a stop, get back on offense. Let’s get three more points, at least three more points.’”

Although there were some tense moments in the final minutes, the Bobcats will go into the weekend feeling ‘22.”

That’s because Boca Raton are district champions for the first time since 2001.

“Our goal, all spring, all summer, was to win a district championship. We had this game kind of starred on our schedule,” Savakinas said. “We had a tough schedule early in the season, and I think it prepared us for tonight.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these kids, coaches, the administration. I’m so excited right now.” 

To make a good thing even sweeter, Boca Raton captured the crown in front of a raucous home crowd.

“I can’t describe this feeling,” Avery said. “Happy for all the fans that showed out, always supported us. We may not be the best team in the county, but we’re always going to fight.”

That final line might be the best phrase to describe the team – and Routson – the best.

Although Routson didn’t have a career night, the sophomore quarterback found ways to make plays late. There was the touchdown to Avery, but there were also key passes throughout the game.

Heading into the game, Boca Raton knew Routson would have to make plays to keep them in the game, and that’s precisely what he did.

“Being the quarterback, he’s someone we rely on to make big plays, to make the right decisions on big plays,” Savakinas said. “He had a couple of plays tonight where he put the ball in the right spot, and we just weren’t able to bring it down as receivers.

“I just kept telling him, ‘That’s what you do. Put the ball in the right spot, and good things will happen,’” Savakinas continued. “If you see tonight, 24-21.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Christian Proscia