Both were seeking answers as to who would replace last
season’s playmakers as Clay’s entire backfield of tailbacks Francy Emile,
Ulysses Tobler, Teddy Munroe and Shane Coleman along with wide receiver Austin
Sweat all graduated, while Fleming returned just one offensive starter.
The host Eagles left with a clearer picture of things as
new stars emerged with the debut of junior quarterback Mike Scarnecchia (5 for
12, 58 yards), junior tailback Terrance Nelson (82 yards on 10 carries, 2
touchdowns), sophomore fullback Nick O’Shea and
wide receiver Jalen Kindle.
After spotting Clay an early 7-0 lead on their first
possession of the game, the Golden Eagles responded with 31 point run,
including 24 points off turnovers, to take a commanding 31-7 lead early in the
fourth quarter.
The new Blue Devils backfield consisting of sophomore
tailback Isaac Brinson, junior Shannon Asbell, sophomore Jeremy Peters and
freshman Bilal Ally joined returning junior quarterback Hunter Alexander and
struggled offensively picking up just one first down in the second half.
Alexander connected with Billy Bridges for a 46-yard
strike down the right side on the Blue Devils opening possession of the game
giving them a quick 7-0 lead which wouldn’t last long.
A 24 yard punt from Quirino Esquivel landed at the Eagles
27-yard line giving the Eagles a chance to tie things up. Four plays later,
Scarnecchia connected with Kindle on a 14-yard strike tying the game up.
Alexander attempted to hit Ryan Trossevin across the
middle but the ball sailed right through Trossevin’s hands and into the lap of
defensive back Justin Keyes.
As the second quarter begin, Scarnecchia found Grayson
Gunn for a 3-yard score along the right corner of the end zone and the Eagles
first lead of the game at 14-7.
Two possessions later, Bridges attempted to field a punt
and dropped it and Thomas Millican scooped it up for an apparent 22-yard score.
The Eagles took possession and mounted another scoring drive capped off with a
22-yard field goal to take a 17-7 lead into the half.
As the second half started, Fleming Island left off where
it started capitalizing again on Blue Devil mistakes.
Under heavy pressure, Alexander fumbled the ball back
over to the Eagles. Two plays later, Nelson trotted in from 5-yards out for a
24-7 lead halfway through the third quarter.
Freddie Simpkins appeared to be helping the Eagles take
advantage of another Devils mistake returning an interception 30 yards
untouched for a score; however the Eagles were penalized for pass interference.
Fleming Island put together its only offensive scoring
drive of the night as Scarnecchia guided the Eagles 69 yards in three plays, hooking
up with Kyle Perry for a 34-yard completion before Nelson rumbled 40 yards down
the left sideline increasing the lead to 31-7 with 1:52 left in the third
quarter.
Clay finally put together a scoring drive in the second
half against the Eagles backups as Ally plunged in from 4 yards cutting the
lead to 31-14 with 2:45 left in the game.
Both teams will have several things to work on for next
week as both meet up with a pair of tough opponents. Fleming Island (1-0) hosts
Nature Coast next Friday, while Clay hosts Ridgeview (1-0), a surprising 38-13
winner over host Creekside.
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