The 2009 prep football season came to a close this weekend for the remaining teams in the Keys, as Key West and Marathon High each celebrated homecoming and looked to go out with a victory.

The Conchs gave their fans plenty to cheer for in a 48-23 win over Class 6A Miami Ferguson, while the Dolphins staged a late rally but came up short in a 35-21 loss to visiting LaSalle. Both teams had been eliminated from playoff contention the week before.

Key West, which finished 6-3 for its best record since 2004, apparently saved its best work for last. The Conchs forced four turnovers, didn't turn the ball over themselves, punted just once and put up the most points they've scored all season.

The senior backfield tandem of quarterback Stephen Jones and tailback Michel Sohi led the way. Jones finished 5-of-9 passing for 57 yards and two scores and rushed for another 85 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown.

Sohi rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries, with touchdown runs of 1 and 5 yards. He also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jones.

It wasn't just the seniors, however, who found success against the Falcons, who finished the regular season 6-4 but are heading to the state playoffs after winning District 15-6A. Sophomore Clive Georges, who entered the game as the team's leading receiver with 479 yards through the air, showed he was just as dangerous on the ground. Taking pitches and using his speed to get around the edges, Georges rushed for 46 yards and two touchdowns - from 8 and 25 yards out - on just five carries. He had another 45-yard touchdown run in the first called back due to an illegal block away from the play, and he came down with his first interception of the season on Ferguson's opening drive of the second half.

Junior tight end Christian Stewart also had a big day for the Conchs, hauling in a fourth-quarter interception that he returned 35 yards. Jones tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Carlton Howard on the ensuing possession to essentially ice the game. Stewart also was a spark for Key West on special teams, with a 56-yard punt return in the second that set the Conchs up at the Falcons' 29-yard line.

Michael Henriquez and Paul Leatherwood each recovered fumbles in the victory, and Brian Hughey came up with a big quarterback sack in the fourth a couple of plays before Stewart's interception.

The win ended the season on a high note for the Conchs, who had battled adversity with some key injuries, early-season coaching changes, and unexpected suspensions and dismissals.

"Right now I'm sad because it was over, but it was exciting," Jones said after the win. "Coach (Jerry) Hughes told us before the game that this was our playoff game. Even though we're not really going to the playoffs, this was our playoff game. We just beat a 6A district winner. Everybody came out and came together and gave 110 percent."

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The mood was less cheery in Marathon, where seniors Nyran Ross, who had 132 passing yards with 1 touchdown, and A.J. Freeman, who had 137 rushing yard with 1 touchdown, were unable to engineer a late rally against the Royal Lions. The loss ends a season where a talent-laden squad of senior Dolphins where expecting to win a District 8-1A title and possibly make a deep run into the postseason.

Marathon, which finishes the season at 4-6, will be with without several starters next season as 14 senior will be moving on, many with a chance to play at the next level.

Seniors Thomas Ryan, who already has signed with the Vanderbilt Commodores; Travis Leachman, who has interest coming from Florida International and Colorado State; John Porter, who made the Ivey League tour during the offseason; and Ross, who certainly will have options to play at the college level, maybe to play with his brother at Central Michigan, are just a few that have garnered looks from college scouts. Kicker Matt DeFillips will return to the soccer field for his senior year, and Kenyatta Scott to the basketball court. Both have chances of playing those sports in the future. Marathon also will be without impact seniors like Freeman, Joe Simone, Ryan Huntt, Tyler Roussin, Ethan Wallace, Alfred Kluge and John "Tweet" Martin next season.

Looking to 2010, players like Justin Kornetti and Shane Dipaelo will be entering their senior years and will have to step up their games. More than likely Ross' brother Trevelle Beckford, who took snaps as the Dolphins play caller this season, will be the quarterback of the future for Marathon as he enters his junior year. It is still unknown if eighth-grade standout running back Deonte Stemage will return to Marathon or join the Key West squad.