LAKE WORTH – An upset can happen on any given Friday.
It can especially apply when it is a brewing rivalry.
Look no further than Park Vista-Santaluces.
Park Vista (2-7) had three standout players that played major roles in its victory over No. 3 Santaluces (8-1) this past Friday night (Oct. 28).
Park Vista, who has been selected as our Team of Week 10, came into this matchup with literally nothing to lose as it had only won one game up until this point in the season. And up to this point, the relatively young team could not really finish games when it needed to.
Cobras defensive star Devin Connally came up with a miraculous interception that gave his team momentum. From there, they never looked back.
Connally, who has been selected as our Breakthrough Player of Week 10, contributed on both sides of the ball. He recorded five receptions for 100 yards receiving on offense, while recording six tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception on defense.
Connally described what went into his MVP performance.
“I was just really locked in and focusing on doing my own job,” Connally said. “It was pretty good receivers out there.”
Park Vista’s defense held Santaluces to 18 points, and Connally explained how the defensive unit made that their game plan.
“We were playing together really well and playing for each other,” Connally said. “We played man-to man-most of the night. We let our defensive line get after the quarterback and held our man (receivers) as long as we could.”
Junior quarterback Logan Harrold led the Cobras with his two scores. Harrold has been a staple in the offensive attack for the Cobras since 2021, bringing a big arm and athleticism to the offense.
Junior Barkley Wyckoff is usually featured as a wide receiver and defensive back. He contributed in a different way to help secure the victory over Santaluces on a 1-yard run.
Wyckoff commented on his mindset in the waning minutes of the game when his team needed him most.
“I was thinking that I had to be tough,” Wyckoff said. “We were on the 1-yard line and I knew there was no time for being cute. I had to hit the hole and go.”
The Cobras are 2-2 in their last four games and each week they have gotten better in spite of close losses to Lake Worth (13-7 in Week 8) and Seminole Ridge (8-7 in Week 9).
Park Vista head coach Brandon Walker gave insight as to how he’s been able to stay the course.
“We don’t have a lot of upperclassmen,” said Walker, who was selected as our Coach of Week 10. “They just needed play. They believe in each other. This group is special because they stuck it out and stayed together. I told our seniors after the game, this is why you stayed, for moments like tonight.”
Although Park Vista has only won two games this season – one over Olympic Heights (33-7 win in Week 7) and now Santaluces (21-18 in Week 10) – this team has put themselves in prime position to build on their current momentum riding into 2023 as they mature and get more games under their belt.
