Neptune Beach- It’s been three years since Fletcher and Sandalwood squared off against one another on the gridiron, so both teams highly anticipated the long overdue matchup. Fans would have to wait for the fall to see the teams play an official game, as Thursday’s matchup was an organized scrimmage to allow both team’s players an opportunity to compete against opposing talent gain film. Both offenses and defenses would get eight snaps each series with turnovers not in play. Both teams would total about 8 series a piece before conducting redzone snaps where each team got the ball at the 20-yard line for four downs each series.
Let’s start with Fletcher, a team who lost key seniors on offense and defense looking to supplement those seniors with young talent. On the offensive side of the ball two players stood out. The first being sophomore running-back Myles Montgomery.
Montgomery as a sophomore was a small, and quick back with elusive speed. He showed maturity and promise late in the season being able to handle a larger rushing load. As a rising junior he’s put on about twenty pounds, increased in height and runs more determined.
Assistant Coach Ciatrick Fason said of Montgomery, ” I told him he has the ability to bring the D1 running back tradition back to Fletcher, and after he heard that he immediately responded”. Montgomery scored on a 40-yard trap play and again on red zone play later in the scrimmage, without his best offensive lineman Bradley Ashmore who sat out due to injury.
Read: Sophomore Sends Fletcher to the Playoffs Defeating Mandarin
At wide reciever, rising junior Javon Heggs showed quickness and play making abiity for Fletcher. He made a great one handed catch on a sideline out, and another diving catch on a sideline out with a defender draped on him. Heggs showed the ability to make the tough catch in tight windows.
Fletcher’s quarterback Devon Lingle has good size and athletic ability to make plays for his team. In the fall, the team will go as far as he can lead them. He wasn’t asked to do much in the spring scrimmage. He has the ability to run but did not do so, while completing short outs.
On defesne, Fletcher’s head Coach Kevin Brown admitted they needed more work. The Senators gave up some big plays in the passing game, and some long runs. It’s an area he plans to focus on specifically in the summer.
However, there were bright spots like LB Josh Bosco (rising junior) who made several tackles. Defensive back Jeffrey Davis (rising senior) intercepted a pass in the redzone, and D-lineman Mathew Rigor (rising senior) made some impressive plays in the trenches.
Sandalwood came into the game with several players of note that everyone wanted the chance to look at. Scouts lined the field to check out rising seniors defensive backs Jahquez Robinson (committed to Alabama), and Derek Bermudez (committed to Florida State).
They also wanted to check out rising junior linebacker Branden Jennings ( five D1 offers). Fletcher settled for short passes and running the ball providing minimal work for the defensive backs. Jennings made several tackles early on and applied pressure when asked to blitz.
The star early on for Sandalwood’s defense was rising senior Elijah Jones. Jones broke open the stale mate with an interception and return for a touchdown on their third series. Pressure was applied by defensive end James Walton that forced an errant throw, causing the pick.
Sandalwood’s pass defense looked tough underneath and was unchallenged deep. The anchor of their secondary Jahquez Robinson gives the Saints several options in the secondary. He shuts down his side of the field allowing Bermudez to move from corner to safety to support the run.
Their interior run defense gave up some big runs inside and needs improvement. Nonetheless, the unit was able to make more stops and prevent more scoring opportunities than Fletcher on the afternoon.
The offense was as advertised with Quarterback Jeff Sims commanding an offense of big play-makers in several areas. Sims showed his ability to run the ball with power, adding an element to his game to compliment his passing. He was precise in the passing game as well, and showed poise on his first touchdown pass to big play wide receiver Javonte Kinsey .
At 6 foot 5, Kinsey (a rising junior) is looking to have a breakout year. He’s a big target that can be used all over the field that Sims will be able to utilize.
On the offensive line, guard Kobe Baynes (five d1 offers) was a road grader in the middle. He and the line opened holes early for freshman running back Jeremiah Huntley who bust his first carry on the day for 35-yards. Geis likes Huntley a lot, and believes he will give the Saints running game a nice compliment to star back Kyjuan Herndon.
Herndon showed his versatility in the spring game catching passes at slot, and getting open in space. He would catch a touchdown in the redzone, and score a touchdown on a long 80-yard pitch to which he raced through the Fletcher defense. The play was called back for a penalty, but Herndon showed his explosiveness and power.
Overall, Sandalwood Head Coach Adam Geis was pleased with his team’s output. New starters at new positions and young players stepping into vacant roles made the spring game very important for the Saints.
Both Sandalwood and Fletcher will examine the tape and build on the things that worked in their spring game. As the summer approaches, every team must now be ready for departing and arriving transfers, in hopes that the teams they field in the spring will be improved and not diminished by the fall.
