Coastal survives in overtime as Hawks miss late field goal

Three fourth-quarter stops, a fake punt, and a walk-off kick reshape the Coastal League race.

Dana Whitfield

Featured reporter · Nov 7, 2026

GAME PHOTO

Photo caption goes here. (Photo: Saturday Circuit)

HARBOR CITY — For three quarters, the fourth-ranked Hawks looked like the better team. For the fifteen minutes that decide seasons, they weren't.

Coastal State's defense forced three straight empty possessions after halftime, a fake punt on fourth-and-3 flipped the field with six minutes left, and Emil Vargas drilled the walk-off 41-yarder as time expired in overtime.

"We practiced that fake every Wednesday since August. Tonight was the night."

— Coastal State HC Renee Okafor

The loss drops the Hawks into a three-way tie atop the Coastal League with two games to play.

Player grades

Grades from the box score, weighted by game result.

Coastal State

A-

Emil Vargas K

3/3 FG, 41-yd game-winner

Perfect night capped by the walk-off in overtime — never a doubt off his foot.

B+

Marcus Vale HB

Rushing: 22 ATT, 131 YDS, 1 TD

Carried the second-half comeback; 74 of his yards came after contact.

C+

Deion Carter QB

Passing: 14/25, 176 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

Shaky first half, but protected the ball when it mattered late.

Iron Valley

A-

Trey Holloway WR

Receiving: 9 REC, 142 YDS, 2 TD

Uncoverable for three quarters; both scores came on busted man coverage.

Sam Okonkwo LB

Defense: 11 TKL, 2 TFL, 1 SCK

Everywhere against the run, but bit hard on the fake punt.

Cole Brandt K

1/3 FG, missed 38-yarder as regulation expired

The miss that sent it to overtime — and the one the Hawks will replay all week.

Final/OT

IV#4Iron Valley(8-2)21

COCoastal State(7-3)24

Game recap Coastal League Iron Valley