JULINTON CREEK – While Fruit Cove and Landrum was the Big Game of the Week, there was still plenty of other action going on around St. Johns County Wednesday and Thursday night.
Among the other notable games were Liberty Pines vs Valley Ridge, Sebastian at Gamble Rogers, Murray vs Pacetti Bay and Swiss Point and Patriot Oaks.
Liberty Pines 43, Valley Ridge 0
The second game of the doubleheader at Plantation Park after the Fruit Cove and Landrum show down was Liberty Pines and Valley Ridge.
Like every game we have been to so far, both offenses struggled early in the first quarter perhaps getting a feel for the game and seeing what works.
That was before Eric Weatherly raced 25 yards untouched for a score and Alexander Billings added the two point conversion as the Wolves lead 8-0 midway through the first quarter.
The Wolves were just getting started as Billings rumbled 35 yards for a score, the two point conversion was no good but the Wolves still lead 14-0 in the second.
While the offense began to finally get into a groove, the defense began to get fired up and make several plays as well as Jack McCabe recovered a fumble in the end zone minutes later for a 22-0 lead.
Forcing another three and out, the Hawks were forced to punt again and Weatherly made them pay for it. Weatherly initially muffed the punt but regrouped enough to pick it up and return it 50 yards down the Liberty sideline juking one last defender around the 20 before walking into the end zone for 28-0 halftime lead.
Weatherly struck again in the third quarter on a 50 yard run increasing the lead to 35-0 to start the running clock after being up 30 in the second half.
He might be one of the smallest guys on the field but seventh grader Ethan “Video Game” Miller brought the crowd to its feet with a thrilling 50 yard run in the fourth quarter to close out the 43-0 win.
Gamble Rogers 33, Sebastian 0
The Stingrays continued their impressive start with a 33-0 win over cross town rival Sebastian in the home opener.
Quarterback King Benford ran for two touchdowns in the first half and also threw a 40 yard touchdown to tailback Aaron Wynn. Benford finished the game with over 100 yards passing and 75 yards rushing.
Wynn added 100 all-purpose yards and one touchdown in limited action, while backup Tobias Brown added two second half rushing touchdowns as well.
Terrell Newsome and Liam Terrell were Benford’s main targets at receiver, while Terrell also assisted two key blocks aiding on Wynn touchdown and Benford touchdowns.
Defensively, the Stingrays were led by linebackers Seth Stamps, Noah Lawless, Kani Harris and Tomas Jones. Stingray coach Matt Potak also said the defensive line led by Moses King, Dylan Flynn and Jordan Dunkin were dominant as well.
“I’m very happy for the win,” Potak said, “The defense was great and we are improving every day on offense. “We must stay humble and focused as we have some more big games coming up.”
Gamble Rogers (2-0) will travel to Landrum (1-1) for their third game next Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Cornerstone Park.
Murray 26, Pacetti Bay 6
A year after going winless last season, Murray finally got a chance to experience the thrill of victory instead of the agony of defeat again with a 26-6 win over Pacetti Bay. Dating back to last season, Murray carried an 8 game losing streak into its game with Pacetti Bay.
Murray (1-1) will travel to Fruit Cove (2-0) next Wednesday at Plantation Park at 5 p.m.
Swiss Point 30, Patriot Oaks 0
The defending county champions Switzerland Point Raiders bounced back nicely with a 30-0 win over Patriot Oaks at Durbin Park. The game was stopped in the third quarter because of lightning.
Swiss Point (2-0) hosts Sebastian (0-2) Thursday at Durbin Park.
St. Johns County Standings
Gamble Rogers (2-0)
Fruit Cove (2-0)
Liberty Pines (2-0)
Swiss Point (1-1)
Murray (1-1)
Landrum (1-1)
Pacetti Bay (1-1)
Sebastian (0-2)
Patriot Oaks (0-2)
Valley Ridge (0-2)
Week 3
Sept 6
Murray vs Fruit Cove (Plantation), 5
Gamble Rogers vs Landrum (Cornerstone) 5
Valley Ridge at Pacetti Bay, 5
Sept 7
Sebastian vs Swiss Point, (2209) 5
Patriot Oaks vs Liberty Pines (2209) 7
