ST. AUGUSTINE – The goal since the first day of practice was to win the next game and go 1-0 each week and each week during the season, the Murray Bulldogs kept winning. Now they find themselves one win away from a perfect season. One win away from getting back on top of the mountain again after years of falling back down.
Standing in their way is Landrum (9-1), whose only blemish on the schedule is a 26-20 loss to Murray back in Week 3 of the regular season.
Both teams are obviously a lot different since then, but both teams have been looking forward to tonight for both similar and different reasons.
For Murray its a chance to cap an undefeated season, as well as announce its back after winning three county titles over a four year span from 2011-2014.
For Landrum its a chance to avenge the earlier loss to Murray, as well as win its first county title since winning its first and only title to date back in 2015 after falling in the title game two years ago.
After rolling through the regular season unscathed Murray rolled Liberty Pines 34-6 in the quarterfinals two weeks ago and Fruit Cove 34-0 last week in the semifinals; while Landrum handled Sebastian 47-20 in the quarterfinals and Gamble Rogers 27-14 last week in the semifinals.
Landrum trailed 14-13 at the half last week before closing out the game on a 14-0 run to survive its semifinal game at home last week.
Murray jumped out to an early 8-0 lead over Fruit Cove on the second play of the game when Sean Harvey raced 16 yards for a score seconds into the game to give the Bulldogs a quick lead.
Sean Harvey goes 16 yards for a score on second play of the game, Murray leads 8-0 seconds into the game. @DuvalSports @lischiolive pic.twitter.com/CnY0T3Dhad
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) November 1, 2018
Harvey struck again with a 71 yard score on the Bulldogs next possession to increase the lead to 16-0 in the second quarter to give Murray all the momentum.
However, the intense and rowdy game became silent quickly as fans and players were in shock as a Fruit Cove wide receiver laid motionless on the ground after catching a pass and falling on his neck on the way down.
St. Johns County First and Rescue were called and the player (not mentioned because he is a minor) was strapped to a backboard and a neck brace was placed around his neck.
Scary situation here at Pomar Park in St. Augustine tonight as Fruit Cove player was life flighted. Murray up 16-0 over Fruit Cove before half as play resumes. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/kx79qijOBy
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) November 2, 2018
Life flight here at Pomar Park. Say a prayer for Fruit Cove player (name withheld being minor). @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/T3cwPeghLs
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) November 2, 2018
The lengthy delay was even further delayed as life flight was called and the helicopter landed on the field and after a 30 minute delay the player was transported to a local hospital either in St. Augustine or nearby Jacksonville.
Players gathered themselves on both sides of the field during the lengthy delay as Fruit Cove already down two starters due to an injury and ejection was now down a third starter and had to regroup, say a prayer and try to win this for their hurt teammate.
As the injury occurred seconds before halftime officials and coaches agreed to just start the third quarter immediately after the lengthy delay after both teams had time to warm up again.
Murray kept its foot on the gas knowing Fruit Cove would be fired up in the second half after seeing its teammate go down.
Harvey made sure the Bulldogs kept composed taking a handoff from quarterback Damon Thornton zig zagging 25 yards for his third score of the game increasing the lead to 22-0 in the third quarter.
Just know I’m coming‼️💯@BSPRecruits @_UnderTheRadar_ @NextGenAACamp @EdOBrien247 @PlayBookAthlete @Youth1Football pic.twitter.com/PIu1VkAzFQ
— Sean Harvey (@rbu_kidd2) November 3, 2018
Defensively, JaKwame and Shamar Moore, Cornell Thomas and Jensen Meachem shut down the Flyers offensive attack keeping the Flyers off the scoreboard through out the game.
Harvey scored his fourth touchdown of the night on a 17 yard run to put the Bulldogs up 28-0 early in the fourth quarter.
Brandon James and the Murray Bulldogs are in the title game. pic.twitter.com/iFLq8caIwS
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) November 2, 2018
Veyon Wilcox picked off a Flyers pass in the end zone on the ensuing drive to keep the Flyers off the scoreboard.
Thornton capped the scoring with a 6 yard scramble to increase the lead to 34-0 midway through the fourth quarter to set up the No.1 vs No. 2 showdown this week.
Murray coach Arnett Chase on win over Fruit Cove and rematch with Landrum in title game. pic.twitter.com/1gwWzgY1wS
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) November 8, 2018
Now everyone turns their attention to the rematch and the highly anticipated showdown in the title game.
I spoke with Gamble Rogers head coach Matt Potak and defensive coordinator Ron Evans who faced both teams a combined three times this season to get their thoughts on both teams.
Landrum beat Gamble Rogers twice this season including in the semifinals last week.
“Landrum has a very good offensive and defensive line, they are fundamentally sound and also very disciplined,” Potak said. “Todd (Fordham) does a great job coaching them, they are a very smart group and he has a good group of eighth graders. He coaches them up well, fundamentally they are very sound as they go where they are suppose to go and do what they have to do. Their red zone offense and red zone defense are really good.
“Offensively, they do a lot the same things Ponte Vedra does, they throw the ball really well, they will have to be very balanced on offense as they will have a hard time with the Murray defensive line,” Potak said.
Evans echoed those statements as well.
“They have a great passing game, the quarterback is small but he reminds me of Drew Brees, he’s able to throw over that tall offensive line,” Evans said. They have unexpected speed and their offensive line maybe the best in the league. They are well coached, they were the best team I saw that was able to make adjustments on the fly and they do a great job reading coverages well and making the necessary adjustments.”
Every coach in the county knows the key to stopping Murray is stopping Sean Harvey, the versatile athlete who can burn teams at tailback on offense, safety on defense and kick returner on special teams.
“Sean is such an explosive player, he’s got great vision and he’s tough,” Potak said. “He does a great job finding the hole and hitting it, his first step is quick and he is extremely hard to get down. Of course that offensive line is really good and them running in the I formation with that fullback that’s tough to stop.”
Evans echoed Potak statement about Harvey as well.
“They have a big running back Sean, he runs off tackle and is hard to bring down,” Evans said. “They are very disciplined on both lines and its hard to stop them as they are so athletic.”
Sean Harvey is clearly the best middle school player in St Johns County. Harvey is lethal at tailback, safety and special teams. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/j6Q2lsRkGV
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 4, 2018
Semifinals vs Fruit Cove. @PlayBookAthlete @_UnderTheRadar_ @NextGenAACamp @EdOBrien247 @Youth1Football @BSPRecruits @DuvalSports @AlPopsUSAFB pic.twitter.com/YQOrY1WPwr
— Sean Harvey (@rbu_kidd2) November 3, 2018
Both agreed a key for Landrum in upsetting Murray could be lengthy drives and time management.
“Clock management will be a key for Landrum, as will the basic fundamentals, as they are going to have to tackle very well like gang tackling and not solo tackling,” Evans said. “Murray is athletic off the chart but Landrum must tackle really well to have a chance.”
Here’s hoping we have a championship game like the last two years, that came down to the fourth quarter and the closing minutes.
Mission accomplished: Gamble Rogers wins first county title
No. 6 Swiss Point stuns Landrum for county title
Murray Bulldogs (10-0)
Game 1: Murray 40, Sebastian 0
Game 2: Murray 36, Pacetti Bay 0
Game 3: Murray 26, Landrum 20
Game 4: Murray 33, Swiss Point 0
Game 5: Murray 22, Liberty Pines 8
Game 6: Murray 14, Patriot Oaks 12
Game 7: Murray 20, Gamble Rogers 6
Game 8: Murray 16, Fruit Cove 12
Game 9: Murray 34, Liberty Pines 6 (Quarterfinals)
Game 10: Murray 34, Fruit Cove 0 (Semi-finals)
Landrum Lions (9-1)
Game 1: Landrum 21, Pacetti Bay 14
Game 2: Landrum 21, Fruit Cove 14
Game 3: Murray 26, Landrum 20
Game 4: Landrum 7, Patriot Oaks 0
Game 5: Landrum 35, Sebastian 12
Game 6: Landrum 27, Valley Ridge 0
Game 7: Landrum 34, Liberty Pines 0
Game 8: Landrum 19, Gamble Rogers 6
Game 9: Landrum 47, Sebastian 20 (Quarterfinals)
Game 10: Landrum 27, Gamble Rogers 14 (Semi-finals)
Semi-finals
#1 Murray 34, #5 Fruit Cove 0
#2 Landrum 27, #3 Gamble Rogers 14
Quarterfinals
#1 Murray 34, #8 Liberty Pines 6
#2 Landrum 47, #7 Sebastian 20
#3 Gamble Rogers 28, #6 Patriot Oaks 6
#5 Fruit Cove 20, #4 Swiss Point 6
Standings
Murray (10-0)
Landrum (9-1)
Gamble Rogers (6-4)
Fruit Cove (5-5)
Swiss Point (4-5)
Liberty Pines (3-6)
Sebastian (3-6)
Patriot Oaks (3-6)
Pacetti Bay (2-5)
Valley Ridge (0-7)
St. Johns County Middle School champions
2017: No. 2 Gamble Rogers 21, No. 4 Switzerland Point 20
2016: No. 3 Switzerland Point 21, No. 4 Landrum 14
2015: No. 4 Sebastian 14, No. 3 Switzerland Point 13
2014: Murray Bulldogs
2013: Landrum Lions
2012: Murray 27, Fruit Cove 12
2011: Murray Bulldogs
2010: Switzerland Point Raiders
