Minutes before kickoff both Fletcher and Ed White gathered at their respective 40 yard lines at Johnny Gwynes Jr. Field to pay tribute to longtime Ed White athletic director John Gwynes whom the field was being named after.
That’s about as gracious as Fletcher would get as the visiting Senators whipped the host Ed White Commanders 24-0 in the annual Kickoff Classic.
It didn’t take the Senators long to establish the lead and all the momentum as the Senators scored on the games opening possession.
Senior quarterback Michael Young, a transfer from Andrew Jackson, threw a high pass well over the head of wide receiver sophomore Jeremiah Payton. Yet somehow Payton leaped in the air and jumped 2-3 feet in the air and brought down the pass with one hand then zig-zagged his way through the entire Commanders defense and raced 30 yards to give the Senators a 7-0 lead just minutes into the game. Payton touchdown catch would certainly have made Sportscenter Top Ten play of the day.
“I trust in this team and I put the team on my back and you just have to believe you can make plays like that.” Payton said. “I saw the left side was open because of a great block and then let other guys block and that sprung me.”
Payton, who is the younger brother of former First Coast great and current UCF receiver Triston Payton, chose not to follow in his brothers foot steps.
“I wanted to start somewhere new and make a name for myself on my own, instead of going to First Coast and follow him.”
Fletcher wasn’t done adding a 28-yard field goal on its next possession to take a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.
On its first drive of the second quarter, Young scrambled 6 yards untouched after cutting back left to increase the lead to 17-0.
“I wanted to get a new start and go somewhere with a winning tradition, ” Young commented on why he transferred from Jackson to Fletcher in late June. “In the offseason I’ve really enjoyed learning a new system, new plays and having a great offensive line too.”
On the night John Gwynes Jr. was honored before the game with a plaque and cut the ribbon to officially name the stadium after himself, the Commanders gave an abysmal showing.
Former Fletcher great and Florida Gator tailback Ciatrac Fason now a running back coach with the Senators had to be extremely proud of his young tailbacks.
The combination of junior Trevon Williams and senior Calvin Lewis, an Atlantic Coast transfer, was too much to handle for the Commanders. Williams, at 5-2, continuously ran people over like a bulldozer while Lewis the speed back ran around and through the Commanders defense as well.
The two ran behind mammoth senior offensive lineman Cordavien Suggs, who committed to Miss State a few weeks ago.
Suggs and the rest of his offensive line not only opened up wholes for both Lewis and Williams but gave Young plenty of protection and time to pick apart the Commanders defense.
Young bobbled the snap and still was able to scramble 9 yards untouched down the left sideline to close out the scoring at 24-0 early in the third quarter.
“Our offense has been trying to find an identity since the spring especially after the coaching change,” said Fletcher head coach Kevin Brown. “I was happy with our rhythm and we looked very comfortable out there tonight.”
While the Senators offense was virtually non stoppable, the Senators defense led by cornerback Zaire Webb (Washington State commit) and lineman Keshawn Bennett pitched a shutout.
The Commanders spread offense which scored 16 points in a half against Ponte Vedra last week, was handcuffed and looked lethargic behind playmakers quarterback Xavion Allen, tailbacks Caleb Stewart, Keyon Washington, Johnnie Myers and receiver Devon Mondy.
Webb popped Eric Dennis after Dennis made a catch on a short gain causing Dennis helmet to come off and a celebration on the Senators sideline during the second quarter.
Brown, who was the Senators defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job was pleased with what he saw defensively.
“I am very excited with what I saw tonight, we stayed in our lanes, read our keys and kept him (Allen) in the pocket.”
Allen spent nearly the entire game running from Senators lineman throughout the game.
Fletcher travels to Fort White next week in the season opener while Ed White travels to Lakeland in its opener.
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