Jeff Davis Middle- There has been a lot of talk about a team on the westside of Jacksonville that could challenge the middle school elite of Duval County. That team is the Jeff Davis Chargers who defeated Highlands 6-0 in overtime last week. This week however, they had a tougher test in the defending middle school champion Fletcher Middle School Football Team. It was a chance for Jeff Davis to measure themselves against one of the best programs in the city. As for Fletcher, they were determined to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to Gilbert the week before.
Both teams began the game forcing punts as the defenses set the tone early. Yet before the end of the first quarter, Fletcher drove down the field and punched it in with a short TD run by Colby Smith. Smith is a big player physically and mentally on the field. He is a leader on the team, who also plays LB on defense. It wouldn’t be the last the Chargers would hear of him on the day.
Fletcher at Jeff Davis Middle School Football Colby Smith scores for Fletcher pic.twitter.com/k4rXUicjmi
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Unfazed by Fletcher’s impressive drive, Jeff Davis mounted an impressive one of their own. Led by #4 Running back Kaloun Walker, the Chargers marched down the field as Walker scored on a short one yard touchdown run. Jeff Davis went ahead thanks to the nifty running of #2 Michael Brannon. He converted the 2 point play to put Jeff Davis ahead 8-6.
#4 Kaloun Walker scored the first TD for Jeff Davis on the 1yd run! pic.twitter.com/tqkiKwwotK
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
#2 RB Michael Brannon with the 2pt conversion. Jeff Davis leads Fletcher 8-6 1st pic.twitter.com/ivovM8FaR9
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
With Jeff Davis showing their ability to respond and take the lead, you would think the Fletcher sideline would be raddled, but they were not. Head Coach Marty McCauslin kept dialing up plays for his backs to move the chains. The Chargers were athletic on defense but had no answer for the Fletcher offensive line and bruising fullback. With 4:15 to play in the 2nd qtr, Smith added his second touchdown of the game carrying defenders into the endzone with him. He refuses to go down on the first hit and he converted key first downs in the game for his team by his effort.
Colby Smith with his 2nd TD of the day! Fletcher middle back on top of Jeff Davis 12-8 2nd 4:15 pic.twitter.com/n1lLohm1gX
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Halftime saw Fletcher leading 12-8, but their lead was anything but secure. Just before the half, Jeff Davis QB Alex Fudge connected on long pass to his WR #8 D.J who made a diving catch to put them in potential scoring position. But the Fletcher defense held their ground as they would do in crucial times all game. In the third quarter, Jeff Davis took the lead thanks to a TD pass from Fudge to KJ. These two have chemistry and look great together when they can connect. KJ is feisty and focused always wanting the ball in his hands. Fudge is long and athletic, he stands tall in the pocket and can make every throw.
#1 QB Alex Fudge throws the TD Pass to #8 KJ to put Jeff Davis up 16-12 over Fletcher 3rd pic.twitter.com/yATGoplf9m
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Late in the fourth quarter Fletcher would again mount a melodic drive down the field capping it with a touchdown run, this time by RB Carlos Mendoza. Mendoza is a tough kid who doesn’t mind contact between the tackles. He put his team up 18-16 in the 4th on the short touchdown run. On the drive, the Jeff Davis coaching staff became unwound when a seemingly recovered fumble by Jeff Davis of the Fletcher running back was ruled down. It was a call the team knew they needed in order to stop the momentum of Fletcher, but they did not get the stop or the call that they needed.
Carlos Mendoza with the TD run and Fletcher responds with their own score they lead Jeff Davis 18-16 4th 7:55 pic.twitter.com/YP5jddiEVi
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Jeff Davis had a chance to respond like they had done all game, but on fourth down, DB Jeffrey Davis #16 knifed in the backfield and cut down the Charger ball carrier ending their drive. Two possessions later Fletcher converted a 4 and 5 when Coach McCauslin called a hard count to draw Jeff Davis off-sides. The next play Colby Smith rumbled in for his third score of the game to put his team up 24-16. On the play, Jeff Davis instructed their players to let Smith score in order to get the ball back, in hopes of tying it with a touchdown and 2 point conversion. It was a gutsy call that hinged on the defense stopping the 2 point conversion and they did.
CB Jeffery Davis #16 of Fletcher with the 4th down stop on Jeff Davis Middle. 😄 yea that’s right! Fletcher up 18-16 7:07 4th pic.twitter.com/z6JKJbtipX
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Fletcher just called a hard count on 4th &5 drawing JD offsides. Excellent Coaching!
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Colby Smith scores his 3rd TD today Fletcher leads 24-16 4th. 59 seconds to play game @SectionBeachrat pic.twitter.com/iyHoa29Skd
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Jeff Davis elects To let Fletcher score a TD but stops them on the conversion. Down by only 8pts pic.twitter.com/Ra5sRWfAv6
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Jeff Davis would get the ball in great field position after the Fletcher squib kick only went to midfield. Yet disaster struck for the Chargers when Fudge dropped back attempting to hit his receiver on a slant, but diving for the interception was Fletcher’s Joshua Davis. Davis had gone out of the game earlier with cramps in his legs, but returned to make the game saving play for his team.
Joshua Davis #23 interception on Alex Fudge of Jeff Davis to end the game! He left with cramps but came back to make the play for Fletcher pic.twitter.com/z5eD9MniOu
— Andre’ R. Ellis (@andreellis55) September 20, 2016
Fletcher would escape with a big win 24-16 over a very talented and dangerous Jeff Davis team. It was the type of game that the coaches and players both needed under their belt. It created opportunities for coaches like Defensive Coordinator Rodney Gnat to make crucial adjustments in the game, while also showcasing players like #52 DT Joel Rodriguez who terrorized the charger backfield all day. They were able to see what type of team they had and know who they could rely on going forward through the season.
#52 DT Joel Rodriguez was a force on the line for Fletcher today, as they defeated Jeff Davis on the road! pic.twitter.com/2v2YoFUTJa
— Andre’ R. Ellis (@andreellis55) September 21, 2016
As for Jeff Davis, they may have missed a big opportunity to send waves through the city by dropping anchor on the defending champs, but they are definitely sailing in the right direction.They have some very talented players and their head coach is extremely passionate. Once they learn how to focus and finish as a team, they will be a team to reckon with in the city. As for now, they’ll look to challenge for their division crown.
Fletcher middle wins 24-16 over Jeff Davis, both teams 1-1! pic.twitter.com/JOaHXKuCZh
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 20, 2016
Special thanks to Jeff Davis Middle School and Fletcher’s Coaching staff.
*Access to the Jeff Davis sideline was limited due to an assistant coach’s request. This prevented more information and coverage of their players for this story.*
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