PhotosMICHAEL PISTELLA Island Coast senior quarterback Nelson Candelario (20) runs for a first down in the third quarter.

Those attending the Class 2B state semifinal game Friday night saw playoff football at its best.

University School opened an early lead, but Island Coast came back with a second-half surge, but the Suns were able to hold off the Gators, just barely, 34-28.

In one of the wildest finishes, the Gators (11-2) fell just short of pulling out a last-second victory. Nelson Candelario’s fourth-down pass into the end zone was intercepted with four seconds remaining on the clock.

But let’s back up a little.

The Suns came out passing, and scored touchdowns on its first two possessions. The first was aided by a roughing-the-kicker penalty on the Gators after the Suns’ kicker had made a field goal. Instead, the Suns got an automatic first down and ran it in from two yards out on the next play.

They also were aided by the Gators fumbling on their first drive, and shanking a punt for only 13 yards after their second.

Two times during the game it looked like the Suns would take total control. Leading 14-0, they got the ball for the third time. QB Douglas Cook already was 11-of-14 passing, but was intercepted by the Gators’ Willie Fleming on this first play. Fleming ran it back 10 yards to the Suns’ 32.

The Gators drove down inside the 1-yard line and decided to go for it on fourth down. However, Aaron Lynch flinched on the line, and the Gators were penalized five yards. From the 5, Mario Pender was stopped short of the end zone. The half ended 14-0.

The Suns started the third quarter with a six-play drive ending with a 37-yard pass from Cook to Jordan Cunningham. They hooked up twice for touchdown passes. Cook had four TD passes on the night, going 27-of-38 for 317 yards.

A second-and-nine proved to be a key play in the game. Candelario’s desperation pass was intercepted.

It again looked like the Suns would get the ball deep in Gator territory and take command, but Cooper fumbled and the Gators recovered.

Three plays later, Pender broke free for one of his signature long touchdown runs, this time from 60 yards. Suddenly the Gators had life.

After the TD, the Gators recovered an onside kick and got the ball at the Suns’ 43. They used nine plays to score again. Candelario dropped back to pass, but his protection broke down and he scrambled left and weaved his way 10 yards to the end zone. That pulled the Gators within 21-14.

The teams traded touchdown passes, and with 9:05 left the Suns began a 13-play scoring drive that ate up six minutes on the clock.

The Suns went for it on fourth down at the Gators’ 37. Cook threw to Kutcher, who was stopped short, but his second effort netted the first down. Cook threw to Cunningham for the score on the next play.

Now with only 3:17 left in the game, the Gators were down 34-21. Candelario had been hurt while playing defense, so was unavailable. Pender led the Gators to another score, highlighted by a 39-yard run.

It was time for another onside kick. The Gators again were successful in recovering it.

Fans that had started to leave stayed to the very end. Candelario returned and led the Gators to the 28-yard line. His last-chance throw was deep in the end zone, but intercepted.

The Suns (13-0) play in the Class 2B Championship game against Trinity Catholic next Saturday at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

University 7 7 7 13 – 34

Island Coast 0 0 14 14 – 28

First Quarter

US – Macgarrett Kings 1 run (Daniel Braverman kick)

Second Quarter

US – Braverman 12 pass from Douglas Cook (Braverman kick)

Third Quarter

US – Jordan Cunningham 37 pass from Cook (Braverman kick)

IC – Mario Pender 60 run (Kyle Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Nelson Candelario 10 run (Fitzgerald kick)

Fourth Quarter

US – Nicholas Kutcher 43 pass from Cook (Braverman kick)

IC – Josh Guffey 34 pass from Candelario (Fitzgerald kick)

US – Cunningham 34 pass from Cook (kick failed)

IC – Will Fleming 3 run (Fitzgerald kick)