JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Senior Night came early this year for the Lee Generals (1-0). They faced the Ribault Trojans (0-1) in their season opener and fought to the finish.
Both sides came out fired up, dishing out helmet flying hits, and gaining plenty of rushing yards. But it wasn’t until the good arm and field vision of junior quarterback Cale Zarah kicked in halfway through the first quarter that the Generals scored a touchdown.
Zarah found senior wide receiver David Herring in the end zone and beautifully floated the ball over the Trojan defenders head. At the end of one, the Generals led 6-0.
The Trojans quickly responded in the 2nd quarter with a huge 30 yard touchdown from junior wide receiver Kenneth Fedd to tie the game at six.
But two minutes later the Generals responded with senior wide receiver Timothy Gallion catching a high pass in the end zone while falling out of bounce for the touchdown. Then junior wide receiver Ronald Colman catching the pass for the two point conversion to put the Generals up 14-6 at the half.
After the halftime Senior Night celebration, the Generals came out strong and went up 20-6 with 8:55 left in the 3rd thanks to junior wide receiver Alvin Gibson.
But junior Trojan Freddie Manning III channeled his inner turbo speed for a 40 yard touchdown with 5:28 left in the 3rd quarter. The score after three was 20-12 Generals.
The final 12 minutes of the game were exciting to watch. After failing to score a touchdown the Generals were set to punt the ball. Senior Trojan Sean Evans, blocked the punt and scored a touchdown to bring the Trojans within two with 10:30 to play in the game.
The Trojans failed to convert on the two point conversion. Generals ball again, Zarah’s field vision found senior wide receiver Jeremy Robinson in the end zone to put the Generals up 26-18 with 8:17 to play in the game.
The Generals went for the two point conversion but it was intercepted by senior cornerback Emari Napper. The Trojans came within five feet of a touchdown but it was no good. The Generals ended up winning 26-18.
Zarah threw for 201 yards, three touchdowns, and a two-point conversion to help lead his team to a hard fought victory over the Trojans.
The Generals look to improve on their 1-0 record next week as they travel to face Mandarin High School, while the Trojans will host Sandalwood High School. Both games are on Friday Sept. 25th at 6 pm.
