FORT LAUDERDALE - For the second time in school history, the Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers are state champions.
In one of the most exciting games of the 2022 state finals, the 14-1 Explorers and head coach Dave Dunn captured the inaugural 4M crown, beating head coach Jeff Rolson and the Apopka Blue Darters at DRV PNK Stadium in overtime, 16-13.
The thriller saw the two evenly matched teams battle for the second time in the past four years.
The Blue Darters got on the board at the 9:24 mark of the first quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Hayden Koscicki.
The Explorers took a 7-3 lead with 2:09 left in the opening quarter when junior quarterback Alberto Mendoza connected with fellow junior Jose Leon from 50 yards out for his 35th scoring strike of the season.
Will Allen gave the Explorers a 10-3 halftime advantage when he booted a 32-yard field goal.
After a one-hour lightning delay the teams got back on the field and defense took over for the entire third quarter and into the fourth.
When Tyson Davison went 46 yards with 4:44 left, the game was tied at 10-10. The Blue Darters had a chance to win it with :1 second left, but Koscicki’s field goal attempt was blocked by senior Ahmere Foster, sending the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, Apopka led 13-10 on a field goal by Koscicki.
The Explorers then had their chance in the period and on third down Sedric Irvin got the handoff from Mendoza who pitched the ball to receiver and former quarterback A.J. Arellano, who threw to a wide open Mendoza for the win.
For Arellano, who lost his father earlier this year, it was indeed sweet and quite a way to end his football career for the Explorers.
STATS OF THE NIGHT
The Explorers had nine first downs and 192 total yards.
Mendoza was 11 of 16 for 148 yards and a score.
Leon caught 2 passes for 49 yards.
Irvin carried 13 times for 48 yards.
For Apopka, they finished with 14 first downs and 328 total yards.
Davison completed five of eight for 52 yards.
Antonio Ferguson caught two balls for 24 yards.
Davison carried 11 times for 129 yards and a score. Zeldrick Roberts had 18 carries for 79 yards.
On defense, sophomore Hector Chavez had 20 tackles, Ja’Juan Bradshaw finished with 12 and Daylen Russell 10 with a sack
For Apopka, Rashad Watson had 10 tackles, Donovan Muldrow ended with nine.
Lorenzo Payne came up with two sacks. Malik Nicholson had one sack, Kaven Call and Kevin Roberts each had one.
EXPLORERS (14-1)
BENEDICTINE, GEORGIA, W 41-15
MIAMI KILLIAN, W 44-13
TAMPA JESUIT, W 32-15
Miami Palmetto, W 28-10
Miami Northwestern, W 23-19
at Miami High, W 54-14
at Homestead, W 21-6
at Doral Academy, 35-7
Miami Central, L 42-35
HIALEAH BARBARA GOLEMAN, W 42-0
MIAMI HIGH, W 64-0
MIAMI PALMETO, W 28-0
DORAL ACADEMY, W 31-3
OCOEE, W 41-36
Apopka, W 16-13 (OT)
BLUE DARTERS (11-4)
OCOEE, W 13-12
Winter Garden West Orange, L 13-6
ORLANDO DR. PHILLIPS, W 7-6
Orlando Edgewater, L 28-19
ORLANDO OLYMPIA, W 38-23
Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley, W 20-13
Lake Mary, W 21-17
ORLANDO EVANS, W 23-12
SANFORD SEMINOLE, W 24-23
Apopka Wekiva, L 20-14
ORLANDO BOONE, W 17-3
WINTER PARK, 28-7
LAKE MARY, W 30-23
WELLINGTON PALM BEACH CENTRAL, W 27-24
Miami Christopher Columbus, L 16-13 (OT)
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