Mireles accounted for 275 of the Lancers' 320 total yards and led them to a come-from-behind 27-22 victory over the Wellington Wolverines.

Football: John I. Leonard 27, Wellington 22

By TODD JOHNSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Friday, November 14, 2008

GREENACRES — Push-ups never felt so good to the John I. Leonard Lancers. They can thank junior multi-purpose threat Quadarias Mireles for easing their pain and anguish on Friday night. Mireles accounted for 275 of the Lancers' 320 total yards and led them to a come-from-behind 27-22 victory over the Wellington Wolverines.

The Lancers' post-game ritual of doing push-ups was festive just moments after Mireles' one-yard touchdown run with 1:22 remaining had given them the lead for good. The victory ended the Lancers' season at 2-8 and the Wolverines dropped to 1-9 overall.

With Leonard trailing 22-20, Mireles picked up where he had left off after leading his team on several key drives. With Leonard holding the ball on its 24-yard line, Mireles found a wide open Dillan Ovinas for 40 yards to Wellington's 35. Two plays later Mireles broke several tackles, reversed field and scampered 33 yards to the Wellington one. From there he scored the deciding touchdown.

"You don't go down easy," said Mireles. " You have to refuse to go down. You have to be determined.

"That big play to Dillan gave us confidence. ... It makes me feel like a leader. I can't let the team down."

The Lancers appeared on their way to an early blowout.

They moved the ball 80 yards in nine plays with ease. Mireles hit Walid Rahman on the game's first play and had runs of 9, 12 and he finished the drive with a 13-yard scoring run. Then Leonard surprised Welling with an onside kick and recovered the ball at Wellington's 40. Mireles capped the 40-yard drive with a 14-yard run to put Leonard ahead 13-0.

Leonard ran off 14 plays before Wellington had its first snap of the game.

"I trust them," said Wayne Monroe Jr. "They made plays and they never quit all year. I am very proud of them. It's been tough week in and week out. But we can win by doing what it right."

The game, however, was marred by 28 penalties between the teams.

Wellington made its way back into the game by receiving plenty of help from the Lancers.

Although the Wolverines trailed 20-7 at the half, they took the lead by scoring 15 unanswered points.

The comeback was led by quarterback Bret Alfredson.

His pass to Tyler Vanacore propelled Wellington into the lead for the first time but the Wolverines could not make it stand up.