The Hernando Christian Academy Lions (7-4) roared past the Four Corners Coyotes (7-4) in a wild semifinal round of the SSAA 8-Man 3A State Championships on Friday night. HCA Head Coach David Raley and company played host to the visiting Coyotes after being named the one-seed to begin the playoffs.
“I am very blessed to have won that game,” said Coach Raley. “They were a very talented athletic team, and it was just an extraordinary effort by all our players to win, and particularly the defense. [[We] had a great night […] they held them in very key points […] the kids played way over their heads the whole time.”
The Lions’ coach praised his entire team for the big win while highlighting a pair of players who were pivotal to not just Friday’s win but the fate of the entire season: Sophomore Jayden Montzka and Junior Caydon Williams.
Both players play both sides of the ball as well as share quarterbacking duties among others. The two take 100 percent of the snaps on defense while swapping out on offense to give each athlete some rest.
While he lauded Montzka for showing out in various roles on offense, including rushing and receiving, Williams impressed on defense as he made the game-saving interception in the endzone at the very end of regulation.
“The most important interception was the interception on the very last play of the game when we held them out of the end zone to keep them from tying the score,” said Raley. “Of course, that was Caydon Williams.” The Lions’ coach described Williams, who has already received All-State accolades for two seasons, as an “exceptionally good safety.”
One of the major concerns the team faced earlier in the season revolved around injuries to the talented duo. Combined with a challenging early slate of teams, three of which were elite playoff squads, the rebuilding Lions team faced early losses before going on their late-season run.
The home team faced a similar challenge coming into their semifinal matchup, with their stalwart FB/DT Tayvion Howard being largely out of commission. One athlete who filled the void left by the freshman was OL/DL Ashton Everett. The lineman had a terrific showing filling in on both lines of scrimmage, drawing rave reviews from his coach. “Ashton Everett stands out as playing both ways and had an exceptional night at defensive line,” said Raley.
Montzka also had a “phenomenal night” filling in the rushing role for Howard. The sophomore had multiple critical long runs to help keep them in the game, including one late to give them the lead. Williams would also log a deep touchdown pass to his younger brother, Freshman WR Dallas Williams.
Coach Raley gave the visitors kudos on Monday, noting the Coyotes’ speed and athleticism. Despite only having a playable roster of roughly a dozen kids to Four Corner’s 30, Hernando Christian pulled off the miraculous win to advance to the championship round against the second-seed Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. The Lions will host the Dragons at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
“For us to be in this position is an exceptional moment,” said the Lions’ coach. “To be able to play for a 3A state championship at our place on Saturday night is an exceptional honor. It’s due to these young men’s hard work and persistence.”
