Arlington MS- Leading with a score of 8-0 over Arlington late in the 4th quarter, Fletcher’s defense began to buckle. A 56 yard run, and a 21 yard run by running-back Sayvion Blount, put Arlington deep in Fletcher territory. Kmorie Gilchrist would score on a one yard touchdown run to make the score 8-6 as Fletcher held a 2-point advantage. Fletcher needed a stop on defense to keep the advantage and Arlington needed a score on offense to tie. Arlington would turn and give the ball to the man that had guided them all season, the 6 foot 3 inch 220 pound Blount. Blount would run right then cut up field, but standing in his way was the 5 foot 6 inch 150 pound Marshall Evans. Evans would win, as he tackled Blount just one yard shy of the goal-line, keeping the score at 8-6. The play would sum up the game, as Fletcher made all the right plays when it counted defeating Arlington 22-6 to be crowned Duval County Middle School Conference Eastern Division Champions.
The game began with a stalemate of two offenses and defenses evenly matched. Both teams came into the game undefeated in division play, and it showed right away as offense struggled to score in the red zone and defenses struggled to prevent first downs. Both teams were well prepared as Fletcher executed their single wing offense with precision. Early on, Arlington would give Fletcher a dose of their own medicine, pounding the ball and controlling the clock out of the eye formation.
After a scoreless quarter and a half, Fletcher would get the ball at their own 20 yard line with just over 2-minutes remaining in the first half. They would drive 80 yards in just under two minutes, mixing sweeps and reverses into the drive culminating in a Ronald Bullard touchdown run. Bullard showed excellent speed and vision cutting it up for the score on a the sweep. After a Donald Lundy 2-point conversion, Fletcher would take an 8-0 lead into halftime.
Ronald Bullard gets the TD run for Fletcher on the sweep! Fletcher drives 80yds in 2 minutes he takes it in from the 5yd line! pic.twitter.com/qhquMHQYaw
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) October 23, 2018
Arlington came out in the second half focused and determined. They began to move the ball effectively with runs by Blount and Gilchrist. Their defense stiffened and forced Fletcher to punt. The result was the Vikings pulling to within two points with over 4 minutes to play in the fourth quarter 8-6.
On the ensuing drive, Fletcher would get a big run by Donald Lundy, and D.J Stuhr would finish it off with a game breaking 30 yard touchdown run up the middle. Stuhr would get the 2-point conversion as well giving Fletcher the 16-6 lead in the fourth.
DJ Stuhr with the 30yd TD run!! Amazing! He gets a the 2pt too! Fletcher 16-6 over Arlington 1:55 4th pic.twitter.com/qrlzzPFXWh
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) October 23, 2018
Pressed for yards and pressured by the clock, Arlington would put the ball in the air. Fletcher would make them pay, as defensive back Donald Lundy would intercept the ball and return it 40 yards for the game ending touchdown. Ironically, it was the combination of Stuhr and Lundy who made the plays to close out the game against defending division champion Landmark, just two week’s earlier. It’s the Fletcher way to make the plays needed to win, and that’s why they are headed back to the playoffs as eastern division champions.
