Atlantic Coast High School- Relief, gratification, exuberance, elation these were just some of the feelings in the air when the clock struck zero on the 2017 Ribault Middle School Football season Tuesday night. Relief that after five years in the Duval County Middle School Championship conference, Ribault had finally won the North division over their long time divisional foe. Gratification in knowing that their off-season prediction of winning a title came to fruition. Exuberance in celebration, grasping the reality that the player’s hard work during the season had paid off. Elation in the moment that the Colts of Ribault had weathered a storm in the air, as well as one on the field against the Chargers of Jeff Davis to win the championship.
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Ribault’s championship season has been defined by single plays. Whether it was the Chris Calhoun to Freddie Manning touchdown pass and catch connection in the first game of the season to beat Kirby Smith. Or the punt block and recovery for a touchdown by Jerome Manning to defeat Matthew Gilbert. The Colts seem to get big time plays from it’s big time players in big time games. No game was bigger than the championship game against Jeff Davis who came into the game undefeated at 7-0. So it was a perfect time for another big time player to make a big time play for Ribault. That player was none other than corner back Quincy Burroughs. On the first play of the game Burroughs made a spectacular interception, leaping in the air and snatching the ball with one hand from the wide receiver. He then raced fifteen yards, bulldozing his way for the game deciding touchdown. It would be the only score of the game, and a play that would ultimately decide the outcome.
Jeff Davis success this season came from making plays by running the ball, ironically they decided to put the ball in the air on the first series of the game and it cost them six points. After the early turnover, they decided to go back to what got them to the championship and that’s running the football. Running back #4 Kaloun Walker gained first downs by running up the gut of the Ribault defense in the first half. The Chargers would effectively move the ball between the twenties, but were unable to turn drives into touchdowns. The Colt’s defense would stiffen and make plays when they needed it. Their secondary locked down Jeff Davis receivers, contesting every pass. #50 Dwayne Jones would sack Jeff Davis quarterback #9 Jaylen Sonnier and strip the football for a turnover. #73 Shaun Davis recorded a big sack on fourth down to give the ball back to the Colts offense. It would be that type of night for the Chargers. Effective yet unstained rushing in the running game and quarterback pressures by the Colts defense forcing turnovers and punts by the Chargers on offense.
The high powered Ribault offense was held in check by Jeff Davis for most of the game. Quarterback Chris Calhoun hooked up with wide receiver Freddie Manning for a 35 yard reception, their longest hook up of the game. However the rest of the night saw Calhoun unable to elude the Charger rush with his scrambling. The Colts were also unable to run the ball effectively against the Jeff Davis stunting defenders. Kaloun Walker knifed in from his linebacker position to stop #2 Javari Williams.
Ribault attempt to get to the outside with their change of pace back #4 Anthony Thomas, however Thomas was unable to elude players like #1 DB Savion Wells who came up to make tackles. For the first time all year Ribault looked uncharacteristically out of sync, and their fans let the coaches know it. Speculation arose if there was a change on the Ribault coaching staff before the game that resulted in the offense sputtering, however it was mainly due to the swarming and unwavering defense of the Chargers. In the fourth quarter, backed up against their own goal line, Jeff Davis mishandled the snap on a punt attempt and turned the ball over on their own five yard line. Ahead 6-0 in the fourth quarter, Ribault had a chance to put the game away with another score at this point, but the Chargers defense stopped Ribault on four downs on a goal line stand. It was a great defensive effort by the talented Westside team to keep their squad in the game.
If Jeff Davis was unwavering on defense, Ribault can only be described as being unrelenting on defense in this game. With a minute left in the contest, and Jeff Davis having an opportunity to drive down the field to tie or win the game, the Colts applied massive pressure to stop Jeff Davis. #12 Jerome Manning blitzed up the middle, collapsing the pocket and leading the charge for the Colts to zap the chargers. On fourth down, Jeff Davis would fumble the snap in anticipation of the pressure and turn the ball over on downs. Ribault would erupt in celebration, knowing that they were just a few kneel downs away from winning their first title. Calhoun would kneel in victory formation to seal the victory as Ribault defeated Jeff Davis 6-0 to win the 2017 Duval County Middle School Football Championship.
The game was physical, and filled with hard hitting and emotion. That emotion spilled over at the end of the game as Jeff Davis coaches refused to shake hands with Ribault coaches and players alleging that one of Ribault’s coaches spat in a Jeff Davis player’s face during the game. The accusation was unsubstantiated by the officials, and a hard fought championship contest between two great teams was slightly dampened by what seemed to be an emotional overreaction at the end of a heated contest. This epic battle, albeit emotional, featured some of the best athletes the area has to offer. Their efforts on the field, and hard work on the season should be commended, celebrated and respected. A simple hand shake would’ve ensured that. Nonetheless, Ribault and Coach Lawrence earned the respect of every team in the city. An undefeated season and a coveted city championship. The perfect cap to a great season .
