Week 2: Ponte Vedra 32, Bartram Trail 31 (Sept. 7)

PONTE VEDRA-Chances are Cole Mazza won't likely forget his 18th birthday. The senior tailback from Ponte Vedra broke two school records on his way to leading host Ponte Vedra to its first ever win over county rival Bartram Trail with a 32-31 win at the Shark Tank.

 Billed as the County Road 210 Clash, the annual game lived up to its billing as a game to watch this week.

 Trailing 31-25 with under two minutes remaining in the game, senior quarterback Matt Deegan guided his team to a game winning drive in the final seconds.

Deegan found junior tailback Sam Fielder wide open in the endzone on a inside slant play as the clock expired to give the Sharks a come from behind 32-31 win on the games final play.

"We just put that play in two days ago," Ponte Vedra coach Mike Lloyd stated,"The play called was H-X, a designed swirl option read route play. It was designed to go to 18 (Eric Smith) but he saw 7 (Fielder) wide open."

The play almost didn't happen though as Deegan scrambled for a 5-yard run to the 3-yard line with the clock ticking and failed to get out of bounds.

Deegan hurried his team to the line and spiked the ball with two seconds left. Officials gathered around to dicuss the play allowing the Sharks one final play.

Officials had numerous problems with the clock through out the drive and the last four minutes of the game.

On the final drive, Mazza, who has offers from Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Elon, Western Carolina, Wofford, Colgate, Stetson and Bethune Cookman, gained 19 of his school record 150 yards on a school and career record 34 carries.

Mazza credited his stamina to one of his assistant coaches Carlo Butler, who consistently makes him run 40 yard sprints after each carry during practice.

The historic nearly didnt happen as the Sharks saw an early 9-0 lead quickly turn into a 17-9 halftime deficit and 31-19 third quarter deficit.

Both times though the Sharks rallied back as they scored on the first possession of the second half on a Connor Federico 26-yard field goal cutting the lead to 17-12 and again on Deegan 10-yard run late in the fourth cutting the lead to 31-25.

Early on it was the Sharks (1-1) in control of the game after a Frederico 42-yard field goal on the Sharks opening drive and Mazza 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter giving the Sharks a 9-0 lead.

Bartram Trail (1-1) answered back quickly though, four plays after Mazza's score, P.J. Blazejowski connected with Nick Uruburu for a 45-yard pass play that sailed through two defenders hands and into the bobbling hands of Urubur.

After a 22-yard punt, the Bears answered again as Blazejowski 7-yard bootleg run gave the Bears their first lead of the game at 14-9 with five minutes left till half.

Deegan's pass three plays later, was picked off by Brett Shafer setting up Thomas Gallitz 32-yard field goal which gave the Bears a 17-9 lead with 1:19 left till half.

As the third quarter started, Deegan and Mazza guided the Sharks down the field in scoring range before setting for a Frederico 26-yard field goal cutting the lead to 17-12 minutes into the third quarter.

Blazejowski (12 of 17 for 215 yards) connected with Parker Davis for a 30-yard scoring toss in the left corner increasing the Bears lead to 24-12 with 6:56 left in the third.

Mazza cut the lead to 24-19 on his 29th carry of the game on a 5-yard run with 2:22 left in the third.

The Bears appeared to put the game out of reach as Gabe Davis returned a punt 55 yards for an apparent score but it was called back for a block in the back.

Three plays later, they scored again as Blazejowski connected with Marcus Taylor for a 35-yard strike down the left side for a 31-19 lead with 6:13 left in the game.

However, Mazza and Deegan, who finished 17 of 30 for 254 yards in just his second start, wouldn't go away quietly. Deegan, who teamed up with Smith 10 times for 109 yards, was a lethal combination on the night along with Mazza carries.

On the final drive, Deegan scrambled for a 11-yard gain before getting nailed inbounds and immediatetly grabbed his left non throwing hand.

Backup quarterback Corey Love connected with Smith for a 11-yard gain, before Mazza's four consecutive runs put the Sharks inside the 15-yard line.

For an offense which struggled last week in a loss to Orange Park, the Sharks may have turned the right direction.

"We shot ourselves in the foot last week, with numerous turnovers and leaving 28 points on the board," Lloyd said. "We move the ball really well tonight and it shows the character of this team boucing back tonight."

Mazza added, "This is Ponte Vedra football tonight, last week we didnt play well and made a lot of bad plays here and there."

Mazza was excited to get the win and the records as well, especially on his birthday night and share it with his best friend Nease player Lucas Crowley, who has commited to North Carolina, who also turned 18 tonight.