Spanish River put on a show under the Thursday night lights, dismantling Stoneman Douglas 42–0 in a statement district victory.
The Sharks wasted no time setting the tone. On their opening possession, junior quarterback Jaeden Phillips marched the offense 80 yards in just four plays, capping the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Phillips found wide receiver Jayvontay Louis on a short slant — and Louis did the rest, racing 70 yards to the end zone.
In total, Spanish River needed just eight offensive plays to score three touchdowns, with Phillips powering in another 4-yard run to make it 21–0. The momentum briefly swung when Stoneman Douglas linebacker Keegan Lake forced a fumble deep in their own territory, but it was only a temporary stop.
The Phillips-to-Louis connection struck again, this time from 11 yards out, extending the lead to 28–0. Just before halftime, Phillips rifled a touchdown pass to Derek Goulbourne with 11 seconds left, sending the Sharks into the locker room up 35–0. With the mercy rule in effect, Spanish River had all but sealed the victory before the second half even began.
After halftime, Phillips continued his aerial assault, launching a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Elder. With the game firmly in hand, head coach Nick LaSala turned to his younger players, giving them valuable game-time reps in front of the home crowd. The defense closed things out, preserving the shutout and securing a dominant 42–0 victory.
This was no ordinary week for the Sharks. The win over Stoneman Douglas came just four days after an emotional marathon game against Seminole Ridge — a contest that ended with Spanish River pulling out a 17–16 win in overtimes.
Now sitting at 5–2 overall and 2–0 in district play, the Sharks are hitting their stride heading into the back half of the season.
Postgame Reactions
Coach LaSala praised his team’s effort but made it clear the standard is higher:
“I’m proud of the win, but we have to be cleaner. It’s about finishing plays and being more consistent. That’s how we’ll take the next step,” he said.
As for Phillips, who finished the night with four passing touchdowns and two rushing scores, he was quick to credit his teammates:
“This isn’t about me — it’s about us. My job is to execute, and they make the plays. We’ve got to stay focused and finish strong this season.”
Looking Ahead
With a balanced offense, explosive playmakers, and a defense that forced turnovers while keeping the scoreboard clean, Spanish River is proving to be one of the most dangerous teams in Palm Beach County. If they can maintain their consistency, the Sharks could be primed for a deep postseason push.
Cover Photo Credits: Deuntay Johnson, NewEraPrep
