One more chance, one winning throw: Spring Hill edges Liberty Creek 16–14

12 hours ago

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SPRING HILL 16, LIBERTY CREEK 14 • CLASS 4A

Gipson-to-Gidcomb turns a late deficit into a second-round berth

Spring Hill and Liberty Creek in the closing seconds of their Nov. 6 playoff game. (FPSN broadcast still)

SPRING HILL — Jonah Gipson did the work to keep Spring Hill within reach. Sage Gidcomb delivered the catch that put the Raiders ahead, and Caleel Hardison made the interception that allowed them to stay there.

Gipson’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Gidcomb in the closing seconds gave Spring Hill a 16–14 first-round playoff win over Liberty Creek on Friday. The kick was blocked, leaving the outcome a two-point question until Hardison’s interception ended Liberty Creek’s last chance.

Spring Hill and Liberty Creek in the third quarter — Spring Hill and Liberty Creek during the third quarter Friday. (FPSN broadcast still)

The Raiders reached that finish by recovering from two different deficits. Liberty Creek scored first and led 7–0 before Spring Hill answered with a field goal that made it 7–3 by halftime.

Spring Hill and Liberty Creek in the fourth quarter, with Liberty Creek ahead 14–10. (FPSN broadcast still)

A Gipson rushing touchdown and the extra point put the Raiders ahead 10–7. Liberty Creek went back in front 14–10 in the fourth quarter, setting up another Spring Hill response.

This time, the answer came through the air: a quick throw into the left flat, Gidcomb’s finish and a new lead in the closing seconds.

Spring Hill coach Josh Taylor said his players handled the moment. “Our kids, they fought hard, they never gave up, they stayed calm and collected, and they made plays, bro,” Taylor said in an FPSN postgame interview with Robert Mackay.

Spring Hill coach Josh Taylor in a postgame interview with Robert Mackay — Spring Hill coach Josh Taylor, right, talks with Robert Mackay after the Raiders’ 16–14 playoff win. (FPSN postgame interview)

Taylor described a calm, organized final drive and credited Coach Brown and his players’ execution, from pass protection and personnel to picking up first downs and spiking the clock. “You practice a two-minute drill and that’s how you draw it up at practice, and it went smooth that way versus a really good football team,” he said.

Gidcomb, a freshman, said the wait was the hardest part. “I started to get nervous ’cause the clock was slowly ticking down. And then the coaches yelled my name.”

Spring Hill freshman Sage Gidcomb, No. 8, in a postgame interview — Spring Hill freshman Sage Gidcomb (8) talks with Robert Mackay after catching the winning touchdown. (FPSN postgame interview)

“So when I caught that and scored, I don’t know, it was just a lot of adrenaline, a lot of pressure, and pure happiness coming through,” Gidcomb said. He noted it was his first playoff game as a freshman and his first touchdown of the season.

Taylor said film study helped the Raiders prepare for Liberty Creek, and the staff will turn to film again for Lexington, which he called undefeated and the No. 1 seed.

Gipson carried 21 times for 173 yards and a touchdown. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Posted game leaders also credit Luca Firriolo with five catches for 55 yards. Those leaders are partial, not a complete team box score. Spring Hill travels to Lexington for the second round on Nov. 13, according to the TSSAA bracket.

By FPSN Sports Desk · Source: FPSN broadcast and posted game leaders