Paxon HS- MNF…is normally held exclusively for the NFL. However, the Monday night football game between Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Yulee High, didn’t disappoint the sparse crowd of faithful fans and parents for witnessing the battle.
With Paxon’s placekicker Matthew Mina’s 24 yard field goal being the only scoring in the first half, the game at Eagle Stadium did have a few highlights that made game entertaining. With both defenses keeping tight control of the opponent’s offensive attacks, the best defensive effort of the half would have to be the goal line stand by the Eagles just before the second quarter ended. 
This would not have happened had Gelique William’s 54 yard punt return for Yulee not been nullified by two penalties. Yet, the Hornets were able to drive the ball deep inside the Paxon “red zone”. The front line of Paxon refused to break and gave the ball back to the offense at the five with just under 30 seconds remaining in the half. At that point, the Hornets defensive line stopped running back Elijah Shingles on a four yard loss. After a delay of game penalty moved the ball back to the six inch line, Eagle quarterback Jeremiah Baclig followed his offensive line’s surge, and moved the ball out to the three yard line, and the half ended.
Opening the third quarter at the Paxon 30 yard line, senior quarterback Brandon Kline found running room on two consecutive runs for 15 yards. From there, tailback Jhacurry Sampson completed the scoring with two seven yard runs, the last one for the first Hornet score of the night for a 7-3 tally after a Leyton Carter PAT. Not able to put together a sustained drive, Paxon was intercepted by linebacker Brannon, and his 20 yard return set the Hornets deep inside the Eagle’s territory. For the second time on the night, the Paxon defense would stand tall, and stop another Yulee scoring opportunity. On what was probably the best drive of the game for Paxon from their 25 yard line, a Jayton Feacher short run of 5 yards, and 30 more yards by Elijah Shingles, the Eagles began to move the ball. Couple that with a Yulee penalty, and a 24 yard burst by Joshua Owen, Paxon was at the Hornets four yard line, and threatening. On a 4th and goal, Owens found an opening on the right side of the line, and scored at the 10:26 mark of the third quarter.
Looking to keep momentum going their way, Paxon recovered an on-side-kick at the Yulee 40 yard line. A personal foul penalty moved the ball to the 22 yard line. Baclig dropped back and spotted Owens streaking down the right sideline, and delivered a pass that was just inches away from putting the Eagles up by six.
Starting their next drive at their own 7 yard line, Kline would direct his team on a 93 yard march, mixing his call up with tough running by Simpson, and running back Kaleb Graves adding valuable receptions and running yards which accounted for 28 yards on crucial plays. With a first down at the Paxon 28 yard line, Kline would break off a 7 yard carry, followed by a 16 yard pick up by Simpson. With two minutes remaining in the game, Simpson would finish off the drive from the four yard line, to give the lead back to the Hornets, 17-10.
Unphased by the clock or the “big” hit put on Owens on the returning kickoff, Paxon turned to the short passing game, and on back-to-back six yard plays, showed the heart of a determined team. Looking to get into a rhythm and take advantage of what the defensive was giving them, the Eagle made their last mistake of the night. On a first down at the Eagle 39 yard line, Baclig looked to hit on a big play, only to have his pass picked off by Yulee at their 43 yard line.
For what it was worth , Paxon’s (1-2) defense gave more than a 100% effort all night, while Yulee (1-2) finally put one in the win column. It can be said, both teams made this “MNF” game worth the 48 minutes they played.
