Terry Parker High School- It’s been an amazing week for the Terry Parker Braves. First their baseball team pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in high school baseball playoff history this week! Secondly, their flag football team advanced to the regional finals after defeating Orange Park 16-0. Terry Parker is certainly on the warpath right now, and the Lady Braves proved why they are a tough bunch to beat.
The Orange Park Raiders came into the game with only three losses on the season. They have tremendous size and height which has worked to their advantage all season. It would continue to work early on in their playoff game versus Parker. Quarterback #6 Harlee Sharp completed her first two passes of the contest both to her WR #21 Gianni Ruemmely who was open in the flats. It seemed like the Lady Raiders might pose significant problems for the home team on this night. However a beautiful play call by Orange Park’s Coaching staff was poorly executed and the Lady Raiders were forced to punt.
On Terry Parker’s first possession they didn’t fair much better. Orange Park’s aggressive line defenders attacked the ball carriers securing flags behind the line of scrimmage. Terry Parker was forced to punt as well. Both teams would trade punts until Parker gained a break in special teams as #3 Dasia Shepherd returned a punt 25 yards deep into Raider territory. Shepherd was also responsible for forcing the Orange Park punt when she sacked the Quarterback on a 3rd down pass attempt. Parker would inch close to the Orange Park endzone thanks to a long end around by Jazmyn Simmons. She would complete the drive with a touchdown run around the left side for the game’s first score. She also added the extra point to put Parker up 7-0.
Goal line defense by OP! pic.twitter.com/kT8LGEilwR
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 6, 2016
TD Simmons ! Her 2nd TD and conversion of the day! 14-0 Parker over Orange Park 2nd @FlaHSFootball @SouthSportsJrnl pic.twitter.com/fRx3Yur31P
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 6, 2016
After another Orange Park punt, Terry Parker utilized their various weapons on offense. With the Raiders clearly keying on #1 Rashonda Hall for Parker, the Braves turned to Shepherd who made big plays in the game. Her long 30 yard run set Parker up again in scoring position. The Orange Park defense would stiffen and make it tough for the Braves to score forcing fourth down. But Coach Keith Poole turned to his bread and butter as Simmons raced around the left side for the touchdown. She would convert on the point after and Parker led 14-0.
Rashonda Hall with the play to end the half! Parker up 14-0 Halftime over Orange Park! pic.twitter.com/3mtR1Ydxc4
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 6, 2016
Orange Park attempted to get back into the game but just could not. The #8 ranked team in the Florida High School Football Power Rankings had no answer for their opponent the #7 ranked team in the poll. Quarterback Harlee Sharp had a rocket for an arm, but her receivers could not come down with the football. Players like #5 Maxine Knox for OP made plays on defense, but could not get a sure handle on the football on offense.
Orange Park trying to make something happen on offense! pic.twitter.com/CBSNuwsxOd
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 6, 2016
The Raiders lateral offense had potential at the start of the game if executed correctly, but by the end of the game, the Parker defenders such as #12 Aniah Williams and #2 Cristyn Gaynor had all but figured out their plays. Both of them had interceptions in the game. A last ditch effort to score by Orange Park back fired on them literally, as a shotgun snap went over the head of Sharp and into the end zone for a safety ending the Raider season with a score of 16-0.
Wow Terry Parker’s Jazmyn Simmons coming right at you!! 🏈🏈🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/PJZG2byAAG
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 6, 2016
With the win, Terry Parker advances to the Regional Finals where they will face Tallahassee Godby. Godby was ranked #4 in the FHSF most recent power rankings. The Regional Finals is a position Coach Keith Poole is not new to. He took his team to the regional finals several years ago and has experience on that big stage. One thing is for certain, his team will not be phased by a bigger stage. They have a play maker and leader in Rashonda Hall; a versatile athlete in Dasia Shepherd; a game changer in Jazmyn Simmons; and several other key starters that play extremely hard and smart. They will be tough to beat as they continue their quest for a championship.
