Northeast snaps losing skid as Hills QB Holly Neyer doesn’t play

The Hurricanes finally won.

By rallying from a seven-point halftime deficit, Northeast ended its 14-game losing streak which dated to Oct. 9, 2015 by beating Hollywood Hills 26-21 on Thursday night.

“I’m happy. I was crying. It’s not tears of sadness. It’s tears of joy,” said Northeast receiver Johnny Thompson, who scored on a 40-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter and who has been a part of the program for three years including last year’s 0-10 finish.

“I’ve been waiting for it my whole life. I’m tired of losing man. I’m so glad we won this game.”

Senior Darrick McClary scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run with a minute to play and cornerback Casey Smith sealed it moments later with a leaping interception near midfield on the game's final play.

After sitting out the first quarter with six other Hills starters for disciplinary reasons and watching Northeast build a 14-0 lead, senior Alex Shelton led a comeback.

He intercepted a pass, caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Roman James, scored on a two-yard touchdown run, forced two fumbles and recovered both of them and blocked what would have been the game-tying extra point early in the fourth quarter after Northeast pulled to within 21-20 on Shariff Rodriguez's second touchdown run of the night early in the fourth quarter.

But the Hurricanes would not deny new coach Nick Dellaria's a win in his first game.

Hollywood Hills backup quarterback Holly Neyer, who is aiming to become the second girl to throw a pass in a high school football game in Broward County, did not get into the game.

“Whatever is best for the team, that's what is most important to me,” Neyer said. “I'd love to play. But I'd rather we win first.”

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 8:29 PM with the headline "Northeast snaps losing skid as Hills QB Holly Neyer doesn’t play."