ST. AUGUSTINE – As if they needed it, Sandalwood left Foots Brumley Stadium with an even bigger target on their back.
Last week the Saints rolled through unscathed 6-0 to win the Florida High School 7v7 Northeast Regional recently at St. Augustine.
The event featured seven local teams including five from St. Johns County as Sandalwood joined Bartram Trail, Menendez, Nease, Creekside, Orange Park and host St. Augustine in the annual competition. For unknown reasons, Englewood was an apparent no show on the day.
Creekside after quarterfinal loss to Menendez @DuvalSports @FHS7v7A pic.twitter.com/gXwJbRtrYc
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) June 9, 2018
While the temperature was in the high 90’s on the day, the action on the field was even hotter.
Teams began the day playing four pool play games, with one team sitting out each round.
In Round 1, Bartram Trail sat out, while Nease defeated St. Augustine 20-13, Sandalwood throttled Creekside 34-0 and Menendez held off Orange Park 21-20.
When the ball is in the air it’s fair game! @SAHSJackets with a nice INT. #UpGradeYourOFFSEASON @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/8mEKtslRLV
— FHS7v7A (@FHS7v7A) June 10, 2018
In Round 2, Sandalwood sat out, while St. Augustine held off Orange Park 14-12, Nease held off Creekside 28-27 and Menendez held off Bartram Trail 21-18.
In Round 3, Nease was out, while St. Augustine squeaked by Creekside 20-19, Bartram Trail won a low nail-biter 13-7 over Orange Park and Sandalwood handled Menendez 20-6.
In Round 4, Creekside was out, while St. Augustine held off Bartram Trail 13-12, Sandalwood throttled Orange Park 21-0 and Menendez tattooed Nease 19-0.
In the final round, Orange Park, Menendez and St. Augustine all sat out, while Bartram Trail held off arch-rival Creekside 21-19 and Sandalwood closed out pool play with a 25-0 win over Nease.
Pool Standings
Sandalwood (4-0)
St. Augustine (3-1)
Menendez (3-1)
Nease (2-2)
Bartram Trail (2-2)
Creekside (0-4)
Orange Park (0-4)
The single elimination bracket began with top seed Sandalwood getting the bye followed by No. 2 Menendez handling No. 7 Creekside, No. 3 St. Augustine beating No. 6 Orange Park 19-0 and No. 4 Bartram Trail winning a nail-biter over No. 5 Nease 14-13 to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, No. 1 Sandalwood survived a thrilling 14-6 win over No. 4 Bartram Trail and No. 3 St. Augustine stunned No. 2 Menendez 14-13 to advance to the finals.
In a back and forth game, the Saints claimed the title with a 21-12 over No. 3 St. Augustine, thanks to numerous defensive plays.
Nice pass break up by the eventual tournament Champs @saintsndno #UpGradeYourOFFSEASON @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/eR0OZXaIVj
— FHS7v7A (@FHS7v7A) June 10, 2018
Some shifty moves by the tournament runners up @SAHSJackets in the Champions game today. #UpGradeYourOFFSEASON @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/yDI5xqNWYn
— FHS7v7A (@FHS7v7A) June 10, 2018
With top four finishes, Sandalwood, St. Augustine, Bartram Trail and Menendez all qualified for the FHS7v7A State Championship, which will take place June 27 at Haines City High School.
Joining them will be Columbia, Buchholz, Vanguard and Lafayette, whom finished in the top four at the Northwest Regional at Columbia as well as the top four finalists from the South Central Florida Regional June 20 at Faith Christian Academy in Orlando.
Winning the title was pretty sweet for the Saints, who advanced to the semifinals last year before being eliminated.
“Anytime you compete you want to win, this is pretty awesome,” an elated Sandalwood head coach Adam Geis. “We’re extremely young but very talented as well, we have 8 starters back on defense and 9 back on offense.”
Among the talented players on the Saints is rising junior quarterback Jeff Sims, who threw for over 380 yards in the spring game win over Creekside. Sims has picked up offers recently from UCF, USF and most recently LSU.
Sandalwood athlete Antonio Clary is one of the many athletes out here at the Northeast Regional @FHS7v7A @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/bXSL2xKm6x
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) June 9, 2018
Antonio Clary, who committed to Virginia, is a two-way standout, a deep threat at receiver while also being a lockdown free safety.
Rising seniors Taylin Nails, Kaloeb Parker and Jered Geis are expected to be threats at the receiver position.
With so many weapons you would think the team, might have a difficult time equally spreading the ball around without drama among them.
“Somebody is going to get the ball, the quarterback has the right to make a read and change it,” Geis stated. “Things can go south quickly, but I haven’t had to even address that yet, which shows how bad these guys want to win. Early on in the first two games, Jeff locked on to the same two guys, but later today he began spreading the ball around a lot more.”
A lot is expected from the Saints this season and as Geis pointed out the following season as well. The Saints (5-5) won their last five games last season despite having such a young team.
“It’s going to be a good two year window for us, with so many young guys back,” Geis said.
As if Geis didn’t have enough talent all ready on campus, the addition of Trinity transfers Kyjuan Herndon, Kamari Stevens, Dylan Pate and Jaylon Wilson will not only provide them with a lot of quality depth, it puts an even bigger target on their backs as well.
Herndon joined the team prior to spring and immediately showed off his athleticism in the spring game as well as 7-on-7 play.
“He’s very fast and quick, not that big only about 180 pounds but he’s so explosive, he’s going to be a special player for us,” Geis said.
Before anybody can look ahead to the upcoming fall season, the Saints have a couple more team activities together before fall practice starts July 30.
“We are competing in the Jags 7-on-7 tourney June 20 and then at state June 27 in Haines City,” Geis said.
Like Sandalwood, St. Augustine and Menendez are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the state tourney. Bartram Trail is rumored to be turning down the offer due to a previously scheduled event.
Menendez first year head coach Kyle Skipper is eager to put his team through the ringer. The Falcons are coming off their first ever playoff appearance and first ever playoff win before falling to Baker County in the second round.
A lot is expected from Menendez this season with the return of two-way playmakers Tye Edwards and Kenny Logan, tight end Noah Gilliam and quarterback Michael King.
Keep an eye on Tre Evans as well as a couple freshman tailback Aaron Wynn and quarterback King Benford.
Former Gamble Rogers QB King Benford now a Menendez Falcon @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/AXqWivRxRU
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) June 9, 2018
“We want to play fast, I want the ability to line up and go fast,” Skipper said.
Skipper was pleased with what he saw over the weekend in St. Augustine at the tourney.
“The biggest thing I told the kids was we’re going to make mistakes but I want you to see it and react and own up to them and go on from them,” Skipper said.
Skipper said Edwards wasn’t available to play in the event due to taking his SAT.
“It was tough to compete without him but it shows our depth we have,” Skipper stated.
Skipper is excited about several of his young guys and new starters.
“Noah is a guy to keep an eye on he’s capable of catching 20-25 balls a game, he’s going to be a big target,” Skipper said.
“As is Tre Evans a big corner, who had a great day for us. I’m also excited for a freshman Aaron Wynn, who I do think will play and start.”
So what’s next for Skipper and Menendez and how do you keep all of this momentum going.
“We get back to work, we made the top four so we’re going to state June 27 and then we will head to JU July 8-10 for a team camp and go up against Mainland and Viera.
“We’re not running from nobody we played 8A Oak Ridge in the spring game and we play Sandalwood in the referee scrimmage Aug 11 at Ridgeview.”
Proud of our guys and the growth they are making! Great job in a 2nd place finish at the @FHS7v7A NE FL regional! pic.twitter.com/wxj2pg2EjA
— SAHS Jacket Football (@SAHSJackets) June 9, 2018
Pool Play
Nease 20, St. Augustine 13
Sandalwood 34, Creekside 0
Menendez 21, Orange Park 20
St. Augustine 14, Orange Park 12
Nease 28, Creekside 27
Menendez 21, Bartram Trail 18
St. Augustine 20, Creekside 19
Bartram Trail 13, Orange Park 7
Sandalwood 20, Menendez 6
St. Augustine 13, Bartram Trail 12
Sandalwood 21, Orange Park 0
Menendez 19, Nease 0
Bartram Trail 21, Creekside 19
Sandalwood 25, Nease 0
Quarterfinals
Bartram Trail 14, Nease 13
St. Augustine 19, Orange Park 0
Menendez 27, Creekside 7
Semifinals
St. Augustine 14, Menendez 7
Sandalwood 14, Bartram Trail 6
Final
Sandalwood 21, St. Augustine 12
