Santa Fe players gather for a team photo after their win. [Christian Haas]

Clash Of Unbeatens: Santa Fe Flag Football Topples Buchholz

Christian Haas March 28, 2025 Buchholz High School, Football, High School Sports, Santa Fe High School 253 Views

With both team’s undefeated seasons on the line Thursday, the visiting Santa Fe Raiders flag football team narrowly defeated the Buchholz Bobcats 18-14.

The teams’ sidelines were fired up and ready to play. The energy was tense, as the coaches worked to calm their teams to avoid mistakes.

First Quarter

Both defenses started hot with early stops. However, the Raiders (8-0) put the first score on the board after junior Brooke Zeller scrambled from midfield to the end zone. The Raiders failed their extra-point attempt to put them up 6-0. Zeller followed her offensive TD with an interception on defense, giving the Raiders the ball back with excellent field position.

Second Quarter

The Bobcat defense responded with a turnover on downs, giving their offense the ball deep in their territory. The Raider defense capitalized and forced a turnover on downs, succeeded by a touchdown on offense courtesy of a shovel pass to senior Ranilah Smith. The Raiders failed their extra-point attempt, again, which left their lead at 12-0.

The Raiders defense quickly stopped the Bobcats (8-1), who gave the Raiders another chance to score. The Raiders, though, did not capitalize on this opportunity and gave the ball back to the Bobcat offense. Taylor Booth proceeded to put the Bobcats’ first points on the board with a deep score. The Bobcats converted their extra-point attempt to shorten their deficit to 12-7.

Third Quarter

Booth added to her standout game with an interception after the Raiders drew up a trick play that ended in disaster. Raiders’ coach Joe Tillman referenced this play as one that put his team in a bad spot.

“If I don’t call that play we probably score down there and it’s a little bit different ballgame. Terrible decision …” Tillman said.

Thrilling Fourth Quarter

Zeller continued to make her mark when she intercepted Buchholz junior Isabella Alexander while the Bobcats were in scoring range. The Bobcat defense was not flustered by the Raiders’ performance and senior Dunae Chappell made this clear with an interception. The Bobcat offense took advantage of Chappell’s turnover when Booth scored her second touchdown of the night. The Bobcats’ extra point was successful and they held a slim 14-12 lead against the Raiders with 3:25 to go.

At a critical point in the game, the Raider offense made an error when Zeller threw an interception to Booth. However, the interception was called back on a roughing-the-passer penalty committed by the Bobcats.

With a minute left, and loud cheers from both teams, Santa Fe junior Nat Williams caught a short pass and took it to the house. With 50 seconds remaining, the Raiders failed their third extra point, but regained their lead at 18-14. After driving down the field, the Bobcat offense came up short and time expired after Alexander was sacked by Smith.

 

Bobcats coach Scott Jamison is taking some positives away from the loss by looking at what they could have done better.

“Sometimes things just don’t work ou t… They’re a good team,” Jamison said. His messages to the team was to take positives from the game and build on the loss.

Tillman said he is proud of his team for overcoming adversity, some of which he feels were brought on by his mistakes. When asked if he was seeking revenge for their heartbreaking loss against the Bobcats last season, he said “I’m not gonna sit here and lie to you and say I didn’t want my revenge … I absolutely did …”

“Inevitably it was another game and another chance to win …”

Up Next

Santa Fe will play at Jacksonville University Christian (4-0) at 6 p.m. Monday.

Buchholz will host Bradford (8-0) at  5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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