GULF BREEZE — Crestview had less than 250 yards in total offense Friday night at Dolphin Stadium against a gritty Gulf Breeze team.
But the Bulldogs came up with big plays on defense and special teams when they were needed. In the end the offense did just enough.
Rusty Moorer hit Keenan Redd with a 6-yard scoring pass in overtime to give the Bulldogs a 27-24 win.
“You always want to end the season on a positive note,” Bulldog Coach Tim Hatten said. “We lost so many close games that we should have won.
“We needed to win a game that was close and finish the game at the end. I’m happy about the way we competed and I’m glad to finish 5-5.”
Crestview intercepted three Gulf Breeze passes and turned a blocked punt into a touchdown as the Bulldogs often had the Dolphin offense on its heels.
Gulf Breeze was driving on its first possession when Capri Jones intercepted a Tristan Covell pass in the end zone to turn back the only scoring threat of the period for either team.
Crestview struck first in the second quarter when Lajonte Watson recovered a blocked Dolphin punt in the end zone. Sam Johnson got the block for Crestview.
The Dolphins came back and scored two twice in the quarter on touchdown passes from Ricky Alexander to Cole Shepherd. The first pass covered 12 yards and the second four yards as Gulf Breeze took the lead.
Crestview tied the game in the third quarter with Corey Armstrong scoring the first of his two touchdowns from a yard out with 3:59 left in the quarter. The score was set up by Malcolm Galbreath’s second interception of the game.
The interception gave the Bulldogs a first down at the Dolphin 12-yard line. An 11-yard run by Antryon Gloster set up the 1-yard score by Armstrong. Seth Kootsouradis added the extra point as the Bulldogs tied things up.
Gulf Breeze (2-8) regained the lead early in the fourth quarter on a 57-yard run by Tyler Dittmer.
The Bulldogs took the ensuing kick and drove 69 yards to on five plays to tie the game. The big play of the drive was a 39-yard pass from Moorer to Alik Whited.
Armstrong finished the drive with a 2-yard run.
Crestview won the toss in overtime and went on defense and forced a field goal.
The Bulldogs had a third and goal from the six when Moorer connected with Redd for the game winner.
Gloster led the Bulldog attack with 104 yards rushing on 15 carries. Crestview finished the night with 123 yards on the ground.
Moorer was 12-of-23 passing for 121 yards.
Tight end Matt French had one catch for 53 yards. Whited had to grabs for 47 yards.
Crestview finished the night with 244 yards in total offense. Gulf Breeze had 311 yards in offense.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview ends season with win over Dolphins (PHOTOS)