Nature Coast piles up 72 points in victory over Gulf

NEW PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA- One of the highest scoring games in the state took place at Des Little Stadium on Friday night between host Gulf and Nature Coast.

Both teams aimed to come away with a win to close the regular season in hopes of entering the playoffs on a good note.

It would be Nature Coast heading back to Brooksville feeling great as they now prepare for the Class 2S playoffs. The Sharks compiled 438 yards of offense and defeated the Buccaneers 72-59 in the regular season finale.

In a game that had the score of a high school basketball contest, defense looked optional at times throughout the first half. Just 80 seconds and four plays into the game, the Sharks (8-2) got on the scoreboard as running back Christian Cromer scored on a 9-yard plunge.

Four carries and Christian Cromer is in the End Zone. With 10:40 remaining in the 1st Quarter, @NatureCoastFB leads @GHSbucsfootball 7-0. @Andy_Villamarzo @PascoCountyFB @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL pic.twitter.com/Ncn43BtzlA
— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) November 3, 2023

The Navy commitment was part of a two-headed monster for Nature Coast, with head coach Rob Kazmier sticking exclusively to running the ball for most of the evening. Nature Coast only attempted eight passes, with two completions for 33 yards.

When you could run the ball as effectively as the Sharks did, passing becomes optional. Cromer (28 carries, 176 yards, three touchdowns) and fellow running back Connor Riggins (22 yards, 171 yards, four touchdowns) combined to rush for 347 yards and seven touchdowns.

At the end of the first quarter, the teams combined for 50 points and Nature Coast led 32-18. Gulf (5-5) would continue to battle its way back into the game behind the play of running back Antonio Muniz (23 carries, 160 yards, five touchdowns) and quarterback Jadyn Wood (9-of-13, 114 yards; 97 yards rushing).

The Buccaneers climbed to within 32-26, but could not stop the ground attack of the Sharks as Riggins broke loose for his third touchdown of the night, a 26-yard run. Nature Coast would add another touchdown before half and held a commanding 48-26 lead at intermission.

Connor Riggins with TD run No. 3 on this 26-yarder. With 8:15 remaining till Halftime, @NatureCoastFB leads @GHSbucsfootball 40-26. @Andy_Villamarzo @PascoCountyFB @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL pic.twitter.com/ReqpnO2NuK
— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) November 4, 2023

Stopping the run has been an issue for Gulf throughout the season and getting key stops throughout the second half were very few and far between. The Buccaneers closed the gap to 56-46 when Muniz scored his fourth touchdown of the night, a 1-yard run with 10:13 remaining in the game.

What may have proven to be the biggest difference on the night was Nature Coast's ability to convert on 2-point tries. The Sharks went 9-for-9 on 2-point attempts and it proved to be a difference maker.

Now both teams will await with everyone around the state for Sunday morning as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announces the official brackets for the 2023 postseason.

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl