Week 1 (Thursday): Henry runs wild, Fla Deaf falls

GAINESVILLE-Derrick Henry broke one of the area's oldest rushing records on Thursday night in a 51-28 loss to host Gainesville at Citizens Field.

Henry broke former University Christian star Willie McClendon’s streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games, rushing for 336 yards on 31 carries, his highest rushing total since running for 360 yards in an Oct. 29, 2010 game against Interlachen.

He also moved up the state’s career rushing list, passing former Kissimmee Osceola star and Florida player Willie Green, whose 7,947 yards ranked third in state history. Henry now has 8,200 career rushing yards.

Next up on the state rushing list: Pensacola Escambia’s Emmitt Smith (8,804).
When Henry broke off an 80-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, it broke one of the most well-respected records in area history.

McClendon, who put together what was then an area-record 6,912 yards in three seasons with the Christians from 1985-87, had weathered just one significant challenge at his mark during a 24-year reign at the top. Fletcher’s Ciatrick Fason hit the 100-yard rushing mark in 17 consecutive games.

“I’m thankful and blessed to have a team now and in the past years ... the linemen blocking for me to get me to that [level],” Henry told the Times Union. “To be mentioned with a name like [McClendon] that’s a legend. I’m honored and blessed.”
While the Purple Hurricanes couldn’t corral Henry, the Hornets failed to slow down Gainesville.

Three turnovers in the first half, including an 18-yard interception return that Gators commitment Chris Thompson took back for a touchdown put Yulee in a 13-0 hole before the Hornets knew what hit them. Henry’s 80-yard run briefly gave Yulee hope, but Gainesville snuffed that out with 29 unanswered points.

“The second half we got it going,” Yulee coach Bobby Ramsay said. “Three turnovers in the first half hurt. They’re as good as First Coast was last year.”

Yulee tried to make a game of it after the break, cutting the deficit to 42-21 on Henry’s third touchdown of game, a 70-yard run. The Hornets just couldn’t get a stop on defense. Quarterback Austen Wagnet’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Tristyn Bennett accounted for Yulee’s final score.

Henry said that the loss isn’t a setback. Yulee likes to play up in classification and a 23-point loss to one of the state’s best teams is just one step in the process.

“I see a lot of positive things on offense and defense,” Henry said. “When we get to school and watch film we’ll see what we need to do and cut down on our mistakes.”

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/sports/high-schools/2012-08-31/story/derrick-henry-runs-wild-yulees-season-opening-loss#ixzz29IhAq6fE

Oak Hall 22, Florida Deaf 6
Eric LeFors may not have won his first game as head coach, but the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind football team showed progress in its 22-6 loss against Oak Hall on Thursday night.
“It was a hard pill to swallow,” LeFors said.
The inexperienced LeFors had experience to rely on, coming most of all from fifth-year starting quarterback Corey Koski. He finished with a touchdown and 124 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
"They were a young and aggressive defense, so while a few times I was able to beat them they got me back just as many times. My offensive line did a very good job blocking; there were plenty of holes open all night,” Koski said.
Oak Hall managed to keep FSDB out of the end zone for the better part of three quarters and besides a 39-yard rush on his first carry, Koski was stifled in the first half.
The Dragons (0-1) finished with 209 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/sports/high-schools/2012-08-31/story/gainesville-oak-hall-22-florida-deaf-6#ixzz29IiynLEJ