It feels like every Friday brings a new contender for game of the year, and this week it was Destin and Bozeman’s turn, as the two offenses went punch for punch in a 51-48 Destin win at Destin Middle School Friday night.
Both offenses didn’t wake up until the end of the first quarter, but after that, it was firework after firework.
“They came together, offensively they did a hell of a job, defense they just kept tackling, kept rallying, so it was an all-around great effort, great comeback from a big-time loss that we had,” Destin Head Coach E.G. Green said.
It started when Bozeman quarterback Hayden Gay hit Evan Clements for a touchdown with under a minute left in the first quarter. Destin responded just 40 seconds later when Kellen Ramsey found Eli O’Brian for the game-tying touchdown.
Just as the second quarter started, Gay hit Rylee McNeil for a touchdown to put the Bucks back on top, but the Sharks had a response. Donnie Couitt ripped off a long run deep into Bozeman territory, and Ramsey threw his second touchdown pass of the night, hitting Chase Wandrick to tie it again.
- The Bucks responded the way they had all night. Gay scrambled into the red zone before hitting Clements for Clements’ second touchdown of the night.
Both teams got stops before Destin tied it once more. Couitt rumbled further and further into Bozeman territory before taking it in for a touchdown just before halftime, leaving the score tied at 20.
Destin got the ball first in the second half and went to work. Ramsey hit Wandrick to move into the red zone, and Couitt took it in for his second touchdown of the night.
Bozeman responded when Gay hit Jarrett Gay for a touchdown to put the Bucks back out in front. Destin answered again behind Ramsey’s third touchdown pass of the night, this time to Cameron Kerns, then went for two and got it to go up 34-27.
“He’s one of the best in the business, I think he can play anywhere, he’s got a bright future,” Green said of Ramsey.
- “I give all the glory to my receivers and my o-line, I’m nothing without them, they did an awesome job protecting tonight, and the receivers, making the plays that they make,” Ramsey added.
Bozeman tied it at 34 in the fourth quarter on a touchdown screen from Gay to McNeil. Destin drove back down the field but had to settle for a field goal from Ivan Carrion, making it 37-34 with six minutes left.
Gay hit McNeil for another touchdown after that to put Bozeman ahead 41-37, but Couitt had an answer, ripping off a 55-yard touchdown run to put the Sharks back on top 44-41 with under five minutes left.
“Donnie’s a bellcow. He gets stronger as the night goes on, he’s a unique type of football player. Some players start fast and fizzle out, he’s always carried us in the second half,” Green said.
“Had a blast. Amazing blocks from my o-line, we all just wanted to accomplish something, we played our game and got the win,” Couitt added.
After that, Destin’s defense finally made a play. On the Bucks’ ensuing drive, Hayden Messer picked off Gay and ran it into the end zone for a pick-six, making it 51-41.
“Hayden got a chance last week to get his hands on it. He’s been there all season, great athlete. He just jumped the pass, caught it, and once he caught it I knew they weren’t going to be able to catch him,” Green said.
Gay and McNeil connected for another touchdown to make it 51-48 with 3 1/2 minutes left, and on the ensuing drive, the Sharks started at their own 5-yard line.
But as it had all night, Destin’s offense found a way. Couitt and Ramsey made plays to run the clock and move the ball downfield, and when the Bucks’ defense forced a fourth-and-short in Bozeman territory with 40 seconds left, Couitt converted to seal the win.
Destin will face Walton in its season finale Wednesday. The game was moved from Oct. 9 because of Hurricane Isaias.
“That’s going to be a district opponent, they’ve got guys who are just physically hard to tackle, their defense is electric. It’ll be David and Goliath for sure,” Green said.
