The Island Coast offensive line pushes the pile to get running back Dustin Paladino into the end zone for the winning touchdown over East Lee County with 22 seconds left. Paladino ran for 101 yards. CJ HADDAD

Football games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and it was Island Coast’s offensive line that boosted running back Dustin Paladino into the end zone for a go-ahead score with just 22 seconds to play.

The Gators (2-2) held on for a 20-17 win over East Lee County Friday night in a game that was suspended the prior week due to weather. Island Coast entered the restart down 9-0 with just under 11 minutes to play in the second quarter. Plenty of time to mount a comeback. They did just that.

“I’m proud of our guys because we pushed through adversity no matter what,” said first-year Island Coast head coach Chris Burnett, who was emotional when talking with his players after the game. “We fought through and played good football.”

In the 13 minutes played in rain-soaked conditions on Sept. 9, the Jaguars (0-4) put together a Victor Georges 21-yard touchdown reception and a safety.

In much clearer conditions on this night, East Lee started off punting to Island Coast from its own 1-yard line into a slight breeze. The kick got caught up in the air, and the Gators started off their offensive series in tremendous field position on the Jags’ 14-yard line.

Island Coast quarterback Jay Anderson, far left, sets to throw to wideout Jason Richardson, far right, during the Gators 20-17 win over East Lee County. Anderson ran and threw for a TD. Richardson had 105 receiving yards. CJ HADDAD

A few rushes from Paladino brought Island Coast to the 1-yard line before quarterback Jay Anderson took it in himself.

ELC punted on its ensuing possession and eventually turned Island Coast over on downs to regain possession. Three plays into the drive, the Jaguars extended their lead to 17-7 as Georges hit a hole, came out the other side unscathed, and trotted 67 yards for a touchdown. The junior athlete finished with 125 rushing yards.

The score remained the same until the half and both offenses stalled for the majority of the third quarter. It was the Island Coast defense that created a spark when ELC quarterback Gary Hagan looked to make a screen pass in a mess of bodies and Gator Christopher Rosado came up with an interception.

Island Coast’s defense was flying around on the night, and defensive ends Ofil Ramos and Kobey Babernitch brought constant pressure.

“I’ve learned it in college, I learned it in high school — align and assign,” Burnett said. “And that’s what we preach to our guys is making sure they are aligned and assigned. They’re just a product of coachable kids. You see the result when you do your job.”

The interception set the Gators up on their own 39-yard line and the workhorse running back Paladino moved the chains. On a third down from the 20, Anderson hit freshman Virdarian Maloy in the left flat and the pass catcher refused to go down. He worked his way up the sideline, breaking tackles, and eventually into the end zone to cut the deficit to 17-14 with less than a minute to play in the third.

The Island Cost defense remained stout throughout the fourth quarter and the Gators got the ball with 2:36 on the clock on their own 37-yard line.

Anderson showed his passing prowess on the drive, connecting with Jason Richardson (105 receiving yards) for a 40-yard gain to put the Gators on ELC 5-yard line.

On the next play, Paladino got the ball and disappeared into the line. Moments later, the offensive line, as a unit, worked forward and propelled the senior into the end zone for the go-ahead score with just 22 seconds to play.

“We’ve practiced all week for this game, being down 9-0, and I give all the credit to my team and offensive line for getting me into the end zone,” Paladino said.

When asked if anything was going to stop him from getting into the end zone, Paladino said, “No sir. This is what we worked for all week. We knew it was going to be a tight game. I just try and make the best with what I have and help us win, that’s what I’m out here for.”

Of his running back that totaled 101 rushing yards on 19 carries, Burnett said, “His performance tonight just solidifies what we have here at Island Coast — good football players.”

Burnett told his team after the game that the “old” Island Coast would have folded and gone into the game without fight. He said he’s working to build up the culture of the program started by former head coach Elgin Hicks.

“It’s the foundation that was built by coach Hicks — that if you get down, don’t give up,” Burnett said. “Football is a game of mistakes. If you can fight past your mistakes, you have a better chance of winning. It’s teaching these young men that life is going to throw rocks at you, and how can you adjust? We adjusted tonight.”

Island Coast will next host Mariner (3-2) at 7 p.m. this Friday night.

— Connect with Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad on Twitter @haddad_cj

1 2 3 4 F

Island Coast 0 7 7 6 — 20

1st Quater

ELC: Victory Geroges, 21-yard reception from Gary Hagan (Jorge Games kick)

ELC: Safety

2nd Quarter

IC: Jay Anderson, 1-yard run (kick good); 10:06

ELC: Georges, 67-yard run (Hagan 2-pt); 4:59

3rd Quarter

IC: Virdarian Maloy, 20-yard reception from Anderson (kick good); :53

4th Quarter

IC: