Florence Rallies Past Coolidge 31-28 in Two-Night Rivalry Battle

Florence erased an eight-point halftime deficit and scored the deciding touchdown late in the fourth quarter to defeat Coolidge 31-28 in a 3A East boys varsity football matchup that began Thursday, Sept. 24, and was completed Saturday, Sept. 26, after a lightning delay forced the game to be postponed.

Original Game – Thursday, Sept. 24

Coolidge struck first in the opening quarter. Juan Alvarez connected with Derek Larson for a 70-yard touchdown pass, and Porter Hansen converted the extra point to give the Bears a 7-0 lead.

Florence answered in the second quarter. Brody Barden capped a drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown before Oswaldo Colazo converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.

Coolidge quickly regained the lead when Dayce Cade broke free for a 51-yard rushing touchdown. Hansen added the PAT to put the Bears ahead 14-7.

Florence responded again when Roman Neal scored on a 7-yard run. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Coolidge with a 14-13 advantage.

The Bears added another explosive play before halftime. Cade connected with Michael Williams III for a 64-yard touchdown pass, and Hansen's extra point extended Coolidge's lead to 21-13.

Florence had an opportunity to cut into the deficit before halftime but turned the ball over on a missed field-goal attempt, sending Coolidge into the break with an eight-point advantage.

The teams returned for the third quarter Thursday night, but the game was soon interrupted. Florence's opening possession ended with a punt that backed Coolidge up to its own 1-yard line.

With 9:41 remaining in the third quarter, lightning forced the game into a weather delay. The matchup was eventually postponed with Coolidge leading 21-13 and was scheduled to resume Saturday night.

Resumed Game – Saturday, Sept. 26

When the game resumed Saturday, Coolidge began backed up at its own 1-yard line with its 21-13 lead intact.

Florence's defense immediately made an impact. Coolidge was pushed backward by penalties and a tackle for loss before facing fourth-and-23 from its own 1-yard line. The Bears punted, giving Florence possession at the Coolidge 33.

The Gophers took advantage of the field position.

Brody Ramirez connected with Roman Neal for a 32-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to two. Ramirez then ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game 21-21 with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.

Neither team scored again before the end of the third, sending the rivalry matchup into the fourth quarter tied.

Florence continued its drive into Coolidge territory early in the final period. The Gophers reached the 5-yard line before facing fourth down, where Colazo converted a 21-yard field goal to give Florence its first lead of the game, 24-21, with 9:03 remaining.

Coolidge answered.

Alvarez connected with Williams and Cade as the Bears moved downfield. After advancing into Florence territory, Coolidge turned to a trick play.

Cade connected with Williams III for a 30-yard touchdown on a flea flicker, and Hansen converted the PAT to put the Bears back in front 28-24 with 6:04 remaining.

Florence's next possession became the defining drive of the game.

The Gophers eventually faced fourth-and-10 from their own 35-yard line with less than four minutes remaining. Ramirez kept the drive alive with a run that moved Florence all the way to the Coolidge 33.

On the next play, Ramirez connected with Dayron Neal for a 33-yard touchdown. Colazo's extra point gave Florence a 31-28 lead with 2:43 remaining.

Coolidge still had one final opportunity.

The Bears moved toward midfield before Florence's defense began pushing them backward. Vandin Price recorded a sack, and a Coolidge holding penalty created an even longer situation for the Bears.

Coolidge eventually faced fourth-and-29 from its own 31-yard line. The Bears were unable to convert, turning possession over to Florence.

The Gophers took a knee to run out the remaining time and completed the 31-28 comeback victory.

After the game, Florence's Chance Sauls said the Gophers used the unexpected break between Thursday and Saturday to prepare for exactly what awaited them when the game resumed.

“The main goal and mindset was to come back out knowing they are at the 1 yard line and we need a stop to win this game,” Sauls said. “We did a few walk throughs and watched some film and we got it done in the end with multiple defensive stops.”

Sauls also pointed to Florence's preparation and defensive focus as a major difference when the Gophers returned Saturday.

“The biggest difference from tonight compared to Thursday was our mindset going into it,” Sauls said. “We were more prepared and ready for whatever they were gonna throw at us.”

For Florence, the victory also carried additional significance because it came against its rival after entering the resumed game trailing by eight.

“It means a lot to us especially to take down Coolidge and keep that streak of beating them alive,” Sauls said.

What began Thursday night with Coolidge controlling a 21-13 advantage ended two nights later with Florence scoring 18 second-half points. The Gophers turned the weather interruption into an opportunity to regroup, erased the deficit Saturday and made the final defensive stop needed to secure the 31-28 victory.