University Christian- The St. Johns River Youth Football Conference held their annual youth football championship this past Saturday. Headlining the afternoon was the greatly anticipated 12U contest between the Gainesville Panthers and the FLA Vikings. The game would certainly live up to its billing.
SJRYFC 12U Championship FLA Vikings vs Gainesville Panthers pic.twitter.com/KlERLbe1Tu
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 12, 2016
FLA came into the contest undefeated and one of the best teams assembled in Jacksonville. Head Coach Tim Terry lead a team of big and long athletes that turned the football field into a track & field meet all year. Their big play ability was a calling card for their season as they routinely got up on teams early. They would keep with that tradition in the 12U Championship game.
FLA Vikings Entrance into the SJRYFC Championship pic.twitter.com/gcO4cCA45J
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
First the Vikings took the field and then they took the ball. Just seconds into the game, defensive end Marlon Holmes recovered a fumble and sprinted 40 yards for the first score of the game.Just like that it seemed like the Vikings would match their size advantage with an athletic advantage. They would find out very quickly that Gainesville was unlike any team they’ve played all season.
#31 Marlon Holmes fumble recovery 40yd TD! FLA up early 6-0! WOW! pic.twitter.com/urM2L70F80
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 12, 2016
The Panthers came into the game undefeated as well, shutting out several teams along the way. Their come from behind victory against the Ocala Pride in the playoffs was their finest moment thus far as they showed the ability to regroup while down. They had to do the same early on in their championship game after falling behind 6-0.
#25 Jaquan Lee with the TD for Gainesville to tie the score 6-6! #9 Xavion Scott with powerful runs to set up the score! pic.twitter.com/L0vSnD3eur
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 12, 2016
After stalling on their first drive and holding FLA on their first drive, Gainesville deployed an aggressive rushing attack that featured #9 Xavion Scott. Scott powered his way into the Vikings redzone on the drive, but he would give way to #25 Jaquan Lee who burst up the middle untouched for their first score of the game.
Gainesville Panther Jaquan Lee ran wild in the 12U Championship! pic.twitter.com/W1lAIqF9e0
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
Lee powers ahead in the redzone! pic.twitter.com/5XlM6VlYDc
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
Jaquan Lee untouched into the endzone! TD Gainesville Panthers in their 13-8 victory over FLA Vikings! pic.twitter.com/WMnrjj8Qn1
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
The game remained tied 6-6 into halftime as both teams traded blows on defense. The game was fast and furious as players like Gainesville’s Linebacker Aramion Armitage and FLA’s Defensive stud Justin Bradley made sledding hard for the opposing offenses.
LB Aramion Armitage making one of his many plays on defense for GP 12U pic.twitter.com/4tpsTqqIa8
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
Ironically, Two teams that averaged close to 40 points a game in the regular season would be tied at 6 going into the final quarter. As the football Gods would draw it up defense and special teams would be the deciding factors. Backed up deep into their own territory FLA would attempt a punt but it was blocked by #99 Jahari Clemmons and recovered by #45 Avion Smith. It was the big play Gainesville needed and they capitalized off it with a Jaquan Lee touchdown run, his second of the game. Lee would convert the extra point and the Panthers led 13-6.
#99 Jahari Clemmons got the deciding punt block for Gainesville! pic.twitter.com/Jclsyj9cHC
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
Gainesville scores! Jaquan Lee is putting on a show! They lead FLA 13-6 4th pic.twitter.com/cs4PHGTCD1
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 12, 2016
FLA would respond with their power running game. They have a stable of big backs including #0 Leonard Bryant and #8 Al’Querious Ray that pounded the rock deep into Panther territory. FLA would get all the way to the Panther 3 yard line but failed to score a touchdown. On the very next play their defense would get the points for them as Anthony Dorsey knifed through the line and crushed the Gainesville runningback in the end-zone for the safety.
FLA driving ! strong running by their running backs . Trailing 13-8 5 min 4th pic.twitter.com/jXQudPQtti
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
Gainesville stops FLA at the 2 yd line but FLA gets a safety big # 00 Anthony Dorsey 13-8 Gainesville 4:35 4th pic.twitter.com/mdmIa4lusA
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
Gainesville would get a free kick after the safety and it was received by #7 Marcus Solomon. Solomon ran right then turned it up field, navigating his way through traffic. He then made a sharp cut to the left and was gone for a go ahead touchdown for FLA to make it 14-13.
However both crowds were stunned to see the 14 points come off the scoreboard just minutes after the touchdown. We would soon learn why FLA’s touchdown would be nullified. Apparently as Solomon approached the goalline he was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for high stepping into the endzone. This penalty caused a lot of confusion at the game and on social media as well.
@DuvalSports NCAA 15 yds from spot of foul. HS 15 yds offended teams choice. PAT or free kick (kick off)
— The Ref (@TeamZebra904) November 13, 2016
In addition to many believing an unsportsmanlike call should not be thrown for a 12 year old high stepping at the 3 yard line, many also believed the touchdown should’ve stood as the penalty would be enforced on the PAT or kickoff. Yet the touchdown was taken off the board to the surprise and shock of both sidelines and the capacity crowd on hand. FLA would get another crack at the endzone, but a fumble on the Panther 5 yard line ended the Vikings attempt to overcome the penalty and subsequently ended their season.
Fumble RECOVERED by Gainesville! 3:02 to play 4th pic.twitter.com/SKZUiD0A2L
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
The Gainesville Panthers were crowned 12U Champions defeating FLA 13-8. Gainesville displayed incredible toughness and discipline. They were undersized but played like they were shot out of a cannon all night. Its a credit to the heart of the players and preparation of the coaches as the Gainesville Panthers now move on to play for the National Championship.
Jaquan Lee of Gainesville Panthers, 12U MVP 2TDs over 100yds rushing vs FLA pic.twitter.com/qOWZYvNJne
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 13, 2016
