Win puts Nova football on cusp of winning district title

The end of football sorrow for Nova High nears its conclusion.

Third-year Titans coach Kevin Huntley has already guaranteed the programs first winning season in what seems forever. In the previous 10 seasons, Nova never won more than five games, doing that only twice in 2013 and 2015.

Huntley, who is a graduate of Wisconsin, has his Nova players believing they can win, as indicated in the Titans 18-10 victory over a pesky Hollywood Hills on a rain-soaked field at Nova High on Thursday

Running back Shaun Peterson rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Titans. Devontae Harris added 128 yards rushing.

“The players have bought into the process and have stayed the course,” Huntley said. “Every player participates and gets a chance to see the field of play.”

Following the victory over the Spartans, Nova improved to 7-0, 4-0 in District 15-7A with a chance to win the district outright should they beat West Broward on Monday.

With many returning players from last years 2-7 team, Huntley says the team was tested last year after being on the losing end of many games.

“The seniors have gained ownership,” said Huntley. “Our goal is to be 1-0 after each game. Certainly the possibility of going 10-0 is on the kids mind.”

Over the past 10 losing seasons, the Titans never average more than 20 points per game. This season, they’re averaging 28 points.

The Spartans (2-6, 1-3) cut the deficit to 18-10 with four minutes left to play on a Alexander Shelton 25-yard touchdown pass from Kevaris Edgecomb.

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David Brousseau

BOYS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING

▪ District 12-1A – Team: 1. Ransom Everglades 406; 2. Riviera Prep 318; 3. Miami Country Day 271; 4. Coral Shores 218; 5. SLAM 170; 6. La Salle 168; 7. Cutler Bay 164; 8. Archimedean 118; 9. Monsignor Pace 74.5; 10. Westminster Christian 72.5; 11. Doctor's Charter 64; 12. Marathon 38. Individual winners – 200 medley relay: Riviera Prep 1:51.12; 200 free: Josten Medina (SLAM) 1:53.03; 200 IM: Felipe Urrutia (RE) 2:04.00; 50 free: Benjamin Wilson (DC) 22.87; Diving: Tyler Arnold (CS) 303.85; 100 fly: Miguel Sierra (CB) 55.51; 100 free: Josten Medina (SLAM) 50.90; 500 free: Sebastian Sierra (SLAM) 5:19.49; 200 free relay: Miami Country Day 1:35.10; 100 back: Pedro Beron Vera (LAS) 59.32; 100 breast: Felipe Urrutia (RE) 1:04.01; 400 free relay: Ransom Everglades 3:30.81.

GIRLS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING

▪ District 12-1A – Team: 1. Ransom Everglades 451; 2. Miami Country Day 269; 3. Carrollton 230; 4. Westminster Christian 219; 5. La Salle 204; 6. Cutler Bay 200; 7. Marathon 134; 8. Riviera Prep 113; 9. Doctor's Charter 108; 10. Coral Shores 100; 11. SLAM 21; 12. Monsignor Pace 12. Individual winners – 200 medley relay: Cutler Bay 2:04.95; 200 free: Pamela Torres (WC) 2:04.62; 200 IM: Emma Ballestas (CAR) 2:14.80; 50 free: Hailey Jerew (CB) 24.30; Diving: Jackqueline Goggins (LAS) 315.75; 100 fly: Gaby Antonini (LAS) 1:00.70; 100 free: Paloma Sanchez (LAS) 56.11; 500 free: Kathleen Hutchinson (RE) 5:49.04; 200 free relay: Ransom Everglades 1:47.79; 100 back: Gaby Antonini (LAS) 1:01.13; 100 breast: Hailey Jerew (CB) 1:08.30; 400 free relay: Ransom Everglades 3:53.32.

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

▪ District 16-9A championship - Coral Reef d. Palmetto 25-18, 25-8, 25-13: Kristin Davis 15 kills, 3 digs; Stefany Desroches 10 kills,3 digs, 2 aces; Valeria Salvaggio 20 assists, 7 digs; CR 21-6.

▪ District 16-5A championship - Westminster Christian d. Key West 25-8, 25-6, 25-10: Saskia Hernandez 13 kills, 11 service points, 2 aces; Natalia Martinez 9 kills, 2 blocks; Priscilla Hernandez 4 kills, 3 digs; Ingrid Savola 4 kills, 18 assists, 2 aces; WC 18-7.

▪ District 13-5A semifinal - Pine Crest d. Calvary Christian 17-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-16: Carley Blake 15 kills, 3 aces; Cassidy Robertson 24 digs, 4 aces; Maddie Fowler 8 kills, 6 blocks; Maylin Bouffard 13 kills, 11 digs, 7 service points, 2 aces; Manaia Rewi 17 assists, 10 digs, 6 kills, 4 service points; Kaitlyn Green 8 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks. PC 14-1.

▪ District 13-5A semifinal - Chaminade-Madonna d. Cadinal Gibbons 25-21, 22-25, 29-27, 25-17: Amanda Allende 20 kills, 12 digs; Danielle Franzosa 22 digs, 13 service points; Carly Price 37 assists, 10 service points, 8 digs; CM 17-7.

BOYS’ BOWLING

▪ Gulliver 4, Schoolhouse Prep 3: Wallace Hallot (GP) high game 133; Ryan Hernandez (SP) high series 374.

GIRLS’ GOLF

▪ District 24-3A at Miami Springs (Par 72): 1. Doral Academy 317, 2. Lourdes 364; Individuals: Giuliana Gomez (DOR) 76; Emily Palmeiro (K) 77; Daniella Spillert (LOU) 79; Ana Ojeda (DOR) 81.

This story was originally published October 19, 2017 at 10:27 PM with the headline "Win puts Nova football on cusp of winning district title."