FLEMING ISLAND – Not even two lengthy weather delays could derail either Keyshawn King or Sean Washington and the rest of the high potent Oakleaf offense in a 48-29 win over host Fleming Island Friday night at the Rock.
Lightning detected within four miles delayed the start of the game more than 45 minutes behind schedule pushing kickoff to 8:15 p.m.
Perhaps it was just a sign of things to come as Oakleaf offense struck fast and often quickly establishing a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Knights set the tone immediately on the first play of the game as sophomore quarterback Tre Simmons faked a handoff to King and tucked it under and ran up the middle before being caught at the 5 and having the ball stripped from behind and into the end zone for a surprising touchback. The 75 yard strike caught the Eagles defense off guard as they loaded the box to try to stop King.
Taking over at their own 20, the Eagles offense drove down the field 65 yards setting up a short 32 field goal that hooked wide right. Dean Hyams 52 yard completion to Max Michaels put the Eagles inside the 15 yard line; however back-to-back incompletions forced the field goal.
That’s when Simmons, King and Washington took over as Simmons was 4 for 4 on the opening drive including a 26 yard strike to Washington that put the Knights at the 17 yard line.
Three plays later, King rumbled 6 yards in for the score giving Oakleaf a 8-0 lead with 6:03 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing play following the kickoff, Hyams tried to hit a wide open Eugene Oglesby across the middle, which would have gone for a 65 yard touchdown, but Hyams over threw him. A quick three and out led to the Knights getting the ball back again.
From their own 20, King took a handoff from Simmons and raced 80 yards up the middle untouched increasing Oakleaf lead to 14-0 with 4:46 left in the quarter.
Keshawn King races 80 yards, Oakleaf leads Fleming Island 14-0 with 4:45 left in first. @DuvalSports
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
Another quick three and out, gave the Knights the ball back again however the Eagles defense stopped them to force a rare Knights punt.
The momentum was short lived though as the Eagles roughed the punter giving the ball back to the Knights again.
Simmons hit Washington for a 32 yard gain and King capped the drive with a 4 yard score giving Oakleaf a 21-0 lead with 22 seconds left in the quarter.
That’s when the official and the referees pulled the teams off the field again for lightning and another 20 minute plus delay.
Ensuing kickoff huge lightning bolt over field sends both teams to locker room in a lightning delay. Oakleaf leads Fleming Island 21-0 with .22 left in first. @DuvalSports
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
Following the lengthy delay, Fleming Island was forced to punt again giving Oakleaf the ball back again.
Simmons connected with Alexander Warner on back-to-back plays for 21 and 39 yard gains to put the Knights inside the 20 yard line. Simmons then hit an unidentified receiver for a 20 yard score pushing the Oakleaf score to 28-0 with 8:50 left in the second quarter.
Avery Ramirez put the Eagles finally on the scoreboard with a 44 yard run cutting the lead to 28-6 with 4:33 left till half.
Simmons found Washington alone for a 18 yard completion and then minutes later connected with him again for a 53 yard touchdown reception and 34-6 lead with 2:28 left till half.
Both teams had one more possession before the end of the first half but were unable to do anything with it bringing both teams to the sideline for a brief break.
As during the second lightning delay, officials met with the coaches and decided to have only a three minute halftime break and immediately go into the third quarter.
The quick break seemed to fire up the Eagles offense as the Eagles marched down the field as Hyams was 4 for 5 on the drive, which was capped by a Michaels 2 yard touchdown run cutting the lead to 34-14 three minutes into the third quarter.
Darius Harris picked off Simmons on the ensuing play at the 31 yard line, but the Eagles were unable to take advantage of it as Hyams fourth down pass in the end zone intended for Oglesby fell incomplete.
10:27 pm
3rd Quarter (7:00)
Oakleaf 34
Fleming Island 14@DuvalSports @FlaHSFootball— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
Simmons pass near the goal line was caught by both the receiver and corner Courtney Williams, officials ruled Williams had possession of the simultaneously catch however.
Despite the two turnovers, Fleming Island was unable to take advantage of either mistake, which proved to be costly.
Hyams found Michaels on a short dumb off pass in the flats and Michaels took the pass 45 yards for a score cutting the lead to 34-21 with less than a minute left in the third.
It’s ☔️ now lol
End 3
Oakleaf 34
Fleming Island 21@DuvalSports @FlaHSFootball— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
Down 13 now heading into the fourth quarter, Fleming Island had to feel they finally had some momentum and a chance to rally.
However, King took a handoff from Simmons and handed it to Jamaric Bonner on an inside handoff for a 18 yard touchdown putting Oakleaf ahead 41-21 two minutes into the fourth quarter.
A safety brought the score to with in 41-23 as the Knights punter ran out of the end zone to avoid the rush.
King put it away racing 75 yards up the middle untouched for another score increasing the lead to 48-23 with 3:20 left in the game.
Keyshawn King had a night to remember scoring four touchdowns and finishing with 225 yards on 19 carries n 48-29 win over host Fleming Island tonight. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/b8w3S9WL6K
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
King finished the game with 225 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, while Washington hauled in 8 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Knights. King’s performance put him over 1,000 yards in just five games according to Oakleaf coaches.
Ramirez capped the scoring with a 10 yard run cutting the lead to 48-29 with 22 seconds left in the game.
Oakleaf (4-1, 2-0) takes control of District 3-7A with the win, while Fleming Island (3-3, 0-2) needs help to make the playoffs for the second straight year.
The Knights will host Trinity Christian (5-0) Thursday night in a huge game at the Dungeon.
Oakleaf senior tailback Keshawn King after the big win tonight at Fleming Island pic.twitter.com/R9QWEF0xqN
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
