Jackson H.S- The lights were shining bright at Tiger Stadium on main street, home of the Kirby Smith Comets. Yet it was the Ribault Colts who seemed ready for the lime light as they out-shined the Comets 44-12 on a Tuesday night in middle school football. The Colts dawned a new look, equipped with fancy new weapons at key positions on the team.
No position was more noticeable of this new look than at quarterback. Eighth grader Chris Calhoun who was used as a wide receiver last year at Landon middle school showed exactly why the city is a buzz about the potential Ribault possesses. At quarterback, he connected with several receivers in the game, carving up the Kirby Smith defense. He looked smooth rolling outside the pocket and rocketing passes fifty and sixty yards down field. When it was all said and done, Calhoun had passed for over 200 yards and two touchdowns in just three and a half quarters of play. At wide receiver, Freddie Manning made his 2017 Colt debut scoring a receiving  touchdown, along with counter part #5 Ja’Won Grey who took one to the house Tuesday night. Yet the shiny new accessories didn’t stop at wide receiver. Running back featured #2 Javari Williams who rocketed down the field against the rockets, and #12 big Jerome Manning who powered in a touchdown and two 2-point conversions. Even special teams got a complete make over sporting one of the most dynamic return guys in the city in Quincy Burroughs. Burroughs made an amazing return on a squib kick where he raced to his left and reversed field to the right, outracing the Comet punt team down the sideline for a touchdown. The play was called back for a block in the back, nonetheless it was still a spectacular play that showcased just how explosive this team really is. Explosiveness that originates from their many talented athletes on the roster
Kirby Smith had a decisive size advantage. In fact decisive may be an understatement. Led by #77 Jamon Faulkner at 6’4, 275lbs, Kirby Smith may have the largest Middle School offensive line in the history of football.  There is  #66 Zi’yair Miller 6’0, 250lbs , #72 Derrell Johnson 6’2 240lbs, #70 ,Wani Gore 6’3, 260 lbs, and that’s just naming a few. The star of the night was #45 MLB Josh Boykins. Even in defeat, Boykins is the athlete that stood out the most as one who is ready to start on a High School team. At 6’0 220lbs the linebacker was unblockable and unstoppable. He levied bone crushing hits and even scored the first points of the game for Kirby on a pass. Another bright spot was team vocal leader #7 Dayon Rawls who backed up the talk with his walk, returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the game.
Yet on this night it wasn’t about potential it was about performance, and Ribault out performed Kirby Smith in every area of the game. Their dominating performance and new look has many looking forward to a show down with defending Duval County Champions Matthew Gilbert . We’ll have to wait until October 24th for that one though. Until then, the Colts have YMLA up next, while Kirby Smith will look to stay in the divisional race taking on Oceanway.
