JACKSONVILLE -- Junior Maurice Wells rushed for 214 yards on 35 carries, lifting Jacksonville Sandalwood to a 28-16 victory over Olympia and a berth in next week's Class 6A, Region 1 semifinal.
"He's unbelievable," said Sandalwood Coach Adam Geis. "Teams know what's coming, and they still can't stop him."
Wells broke an 85-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, putting a move on safety Kalean Cobb after 10 yards and racing the final 75 untouched. The play put the Saints ahead 14-0.
Defensively, the Saints also were impressive, shutting down a prolific passing offense by forcing four turnovers. Freshman defensive end Jacoby Monroe recovered two fumbles for Sandalwood, and Olympia quarterback Troy Pashuck was intercepted twice.
"We weren't very sharp tonight," said Titans Coach Mike Cullison. "We made a few plays, but we made some mistakes and you just can't do that in the playoffs."
Saints quarterback Matt Earnest opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown pass to John Jones. In the second half, Jones caught the same play call from Earnest for a 34-yard gain that set up the game-clinching touchdown by Wells.
"Those were huge plays," Geis said. "We practice passing more than anything, believe it or not, because we know that when nine guys get in the box to stop Maurice, that's what we're going to have to go to."
The Titans defense did an improved job on Wells in the second half, giving up just 43 yards.
"He's a heck of a back," Cullison said. "We didn't do the job against him early."
Olympia (7-4) trailed 21-7 at the half but tackled Wells for a safety in the third quarter. The Titans pulled within 21-16 when Pashuck connected with Maurice Price for a 55-yard touchdown. Price finished with 105 receiving yards on six catches, and Olympia tailback Chris Johnson was held to 51 yards on 17 carries. Johnson also lost two fumbles, both recovered by Monroe.
Sandalwood (7-4) will face Lake Mary at home next week.