BOYNTON BEACH- The River Boys are on a roll!
Tonight (September 14), Spanish River (4-0) continued their undefeated season by defeating district rival Park Vista (1-2) 28-20.
The Sharks were headlined tonight by a 190 yard and 3 touchdown performance by quarterback AJ Truiolo (’24), and a 150 total yards and 2 touchdown performance by wide receiver Blake Wallace (’25).
At the beginning of the game, both offenses suffered from early three-and-outs. The Park Vista defense made a loud statement early on, as defensive end Chris Bloomquist (’24) recorded two sacks and a forced fumble in the first half. Linebackers Sean Silva (’24) and Brock Mitchell (’25) also got in on the action as they made multiple TFL’s throughout the first half.
Finally, over half way through the first quarter, Spanish River cracked the scoreboard first as running back Zachary Anthony-Russell (’24) scampers into the end zone for a 7 yard touchdown rush.
The score remained 7-0 throughout most of the half until Park Vista quarterback Mikey Palmieri (’25) found receiver Devin Connally (’24) for a 8 yard touchdown.
Park Vista took that momentum into their next defensive series after Connally comes back with a clutch interception with under 2 minutes remaining in the half.
Palmeieri then finds the big, 6 foot 3 inch senior receiver, Matthew Nadeau, for a 53 yard touchdown as 15 seconds remain. Nadeau showed off his size and physicality on this play, leaping for the ball, and then throwing a corner into the grass right after, as he waltzes into the end zone.
Spanish River came back from halftime swinging, with a drive that ended with a beautiful 32 yard pass from Truiolo that hit receiver Trent Asble (’25) in stride for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. River’s dominance continued into the fourth quarter when Truiolo hit Wallace with a screen pass that was taken to the end zone as Spanish River took the lead at 21-14. Blake Wallace showed his YAC (Yards after the catch) ability on this play, as he weaved his way through the defense for an easy six.
Vista struck back as Palmeieri found Nadeau again for another 20 yard touchdown grab. The River special teams unit spiked the extra point into the ground, bringing the score to 21-20.
On their next drive with under two minutes remaining in the game, AJ Truiolo finds Blake Wallace on a brilliantly drawn up end around run, which Wallace takes to the crib, setting Spanish River up 28-20. Despite the shovel pass at the beginning of the play, this was counted as a long rushing TD for Wallace, which will surely boost his seasonal average.
With one final drive remaining, Park Vista drives down the field, completing multiple big gains to Devin Connally and Jace Coolman (’24). As the clock winds down, the Cobras are on the goal line. Spanish River linebacker, Anthoney Clark, (’24) makes a CRUCIAL pass deflection as time expires.
As the final buzzer sounds, Spanish River players, coaches and cheerleaders rush the field and embraces one another, victorious.
Spanish River defeats Park Vista 28-20.
