While the East Lee County Jaguars were looking for their first football victory in school history, the Mariner Tritons were looking for an easy win.

In a rain delayed start at Tony McKenna Field, the anticipation built up as the crowd grew larger. In the Jaguars was a team looking to make history going against the Tritons, who are all about a long football tradition.

Something had to give as the teams played a dramatic finish down to the final seconds.

Mariner’s defense set the tone early forcing a quick three-and-out on the Jaguars’ opening possession. The bad luck didn’t end there for the Jaguars, as the Tritons’ special teams unit blocked their first punt. Mario Perone was credited for the block on punter Damien Parris. It resulted in a Tritons drive on East Lee’s 38-yard line.

Mariner quarterback Gabriel Rojas, who had 143 yards on the ground last week, capitalized on the field position and led his spread offense to a quick 6-0 lead. Rojas had an 11-yard TD scramble.

East Lee quarterback Dakota Curran, failed to respond by throwing an interception to Jesse Crilly, who increased Mariner’s lead to 12-0 after a failed two-point conversion.

The Tritons defense stepped up yet again, forcing Curran to throw his second interception of the game. Early in the second quarter, Mariner took advantage of great field position on another special team mistake by the Jaguars. Parris couldn’t handle a snap in the wet conditions and fell on the ball. Mariner took over on the Jaguars’ 19-yard line.

It didn’t take long for Eric Mitchell to find his way into the end zone from 14 yards out for a commanding 19-0 lead.

East Lee got their first break of the game when Ekenta Ifeanyi blocked a Mariner punt that gave the Jaguars their best scoring opportunity on the Tritons’ 27-yard line. Keandra Smith’s 14-yard TD run put his team right back in the game 19-7 late in the second quarter.

Before the half, Jaguars cornerback Ryan Gambill intercepted a pass for one last chance to cut into the lead. Facing a fourth-and-three deep in Mariner territory, Curran connected with wide receiver Greg Hernandez for a huge first down. Later, Hernandez caught a TD pass as the stunned Mariner crowd saw momentum switch going into the third quarter.

The Jaguars found themselves down 19-13 after failing on the extra-point attempt.

Jaguars coach Scott Jones decided to try an onside kick to start the third quarter. East Lee recovered the ball, and took it down the field. Kendra Smith ran the final six yards for a touchdown, capping a three-play drive. Instead of taking the lead on the extra point, Jones elected to go for two, which failed, and leaving the score tied 19-19.

Mariner fumbles near midfield, their third turnover of the night. Their defense, led by Crilly, held and forced a punt. Looking to seize control, Mariner blocked the kick and took over at East Lee’s 22.

The turnover bug hit Mariner again, East Lee’s Taylor Garrett returned the fumble 35 yards for another shot to take the lead. Crilly, who already had an interception and fumble recovery, forced another East Lee turnover on a failed pitch attempt by Curran.

Rojas lost the ball as he scrambled on a third-and-long play, giving up possession to the Jaguars.

With eight minutes left , James Holland ran to the Tritons’ 2-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, he bulled his way into the end zone to give East Lee its first lead 25-19.