The Sarasota Millionaires had a 14-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter and were in great shape for the South Division title and a first round bye in the UFF playoffs, but it all evaporated in a hurry as the Florida Veterans (6-2) scored 15 unanswered points to defeat the “Moneymen” 15-14 at Booker High School Saturday afternoon.
The loss now compels the Millionaires (5-3) to win next week on the road against the Bay Area Pirates, a team that has already beaten Sarasota on its home turf, to qualify for the playoffs most likely as a wild card.
The Millionaires have lost three of four games on its home field this season with the lone victory coming against the Tampa Bay Stallions on March 23rd.
Sarasota appeared to have the early momentum against the Veterans, a team the Millionaires defeated 38-12 in Port Charlotte back on February 23rd, when Mario Davis connected with a streaking Gus Blanc over the middle for a 44 yard touchdown pass less than four minutes into the first quarter. Patrick “Choo Choo” Brown added the two pointer to give the Millionaires an 8-0 lead.
The rest of the first half was a contest of field position and mistakes as each team turned over the ball three times. In all, the Millionaires and Veterans combined for eight turnovers in the game.
Former Sarasota Sailor high school standout running back Mike Ford appeared to put the game away for the Millionaires late in the third quarter when he took the handoff and burst outside, broke several tackles and rumbled 55 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that put Sarasota ahead 14-0 after a missed two-point conversion.
The Florida Veterans responded with an 8 play, 60 yard scoring drive on their next possession when quarterback Justin Midgett found Dishon Platt in the corner of the end zone from two yards out to pull them to within 14-7 after a missed 2 point conversion.
The Veterans held the Millionaires offense to a three and out and got the ball back with 10:03 left in the fourth quarter. Justin Midgett engineered a 51 yard scoring drive in 7 plays capped off by a 13 yard touchdown pass to Dishon Platt. Midgett then converted a two-pointer by zipping the ball again to Platt to lift the Veterans to a 15-14 margin with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter.
This is where the wheels fell of the wagon for the Millionaires. After picking up a first down and getting the ball to the Veterans 48 yard line, the clock wound down to the two minute warning. The Millionaires lined up to run the next play, but then called a timeout. Again the team lined up and had trouble getting the play organized and inexplicably called a second timeout without running a play, which is a 5 yard penalty.
On fourth and 10, Mario Davis dropped back to pass, was rushed heavily by the Veterans defense and had to throw the ball away. The Millionaires turned over the ball on downs and saw a game they had in control, slip away.
Justin Midgett completed 13 of 29 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Veterans. Mario Davis went 6 for 15 for 82 yards and one touchdown and two interceptions for the Millionaires.
The Millionaires travel to New Port Richey on Saturday April 13 to face the Bay Area Pirates in a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. The Pirates defeated the Millionaires 32-28 on February 16th at Booker High School.
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