Ponte Vedra FL- Coming into Friday’s game, Ponte Vedra with a 3-5 record and 0.484 RPI needed to beat Fletcher and then Creekside to boost their record and RPI to have a shot at the playoffs. Well, they accomplished the first feat in dominating fashion by defeating playoff bound Fletcher 28-7. Now they set their eyes on another playoff bound team in Creekside next week.
It starts with the defense of Ponte Vedra, and on Friday they set the tone for the team. An interception by Trooper Price with 9:00 to go in the first quarter set the tone for the motivated Sharks. The defensive play set up a touchdown pass from Nathan Bunkosky to Luke Pirris as the sharks took a 7-0 lead on senior night.
It didn’t take long for Ponte Vedra’s defense to strike again. Like a shark lurking in an ocean Ponte Vedra senior Mason Flores picked off Fletcher for his team’s second interception in the quarter. That turnover set up Ryan Smith on an end-around play from 5-yards out that resulted in a touchdown and a 14-0 lead for Ponte Vedra.
It didn’t end there for Ponte Vedra as Luke Pirris (Navy commit) and the Ponte Vedra defense absolutely stifled every Fletcher attempt to generate offense. Forcing a punt back into the hands of the dangerous Ponte Vedra offense. Pirris finished with 11 tackles on defense as well as 32-yards receiving on offense and a score.
Bunkosky made them pay, as he drove his team down field, picking his running lanes on the zone read. The drive culminated in a 22-yard romp by the big time junior Bunkosky to put Ponte Vedra up at halftime 21-0.
The second half was more of the same defense and urgency by Ponte Vedra, and a lack of energy by Fletcher. After a scoreless third quarter, Fletcher would build a little momentum with Marcelis Tate hitting Trey Rose in the passing game. That combination yielded 7 points for Fletcher as Rose leaped high for a touchdown from Tate closing the gap to 21-7 in the fourth.
Yet Ponte Vedra would respond. A big run by Mikey Stephens set up Ponte Vedra in scoring position on the ensuing drive. The back breaking run was just one of many on the evening that Fletcher just could not stop. Nothing fancy, just football.
It wasn’t long before Bunkosky was celebrating in the end-zone again, keeping it himself this time and powering in for the final touchdown of the evening. He finished with 135 yards passing, 66 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns (2 rushing) on the night.
Ponte Vedra (4-5) would show that they aren’t done with their season by a long shot. They are on the outside looking in and need some help. Currently, Atlantic Coast (5-4) and Nease are in at the #7 and #8 seeds respectfully. Both teams won this weekend. Ponte Vedra must defeat Creekside, and hope for University Christian to defeat Atlantic Coast (0.541 RPI). They also need Chiles (Tallahassee) 0.501 RPI, Navarre 0.514 RPI, and Fleming Island 0.538 RPI (all RPI not updated) to fall as well. Chiles won this weekend but faces Wakulla next week. Navarre defeated Crestview Friday and have Gulf Breeze next week. Crestview regular season is done (6-4) and they currently sit at the #6 seed. It will be interesting to see how the loss to Navarre affects them. Fleming Island fell to Nease Friday, and finishes up with Oakleaf. Nease (6-3) will secure one of those two final spots more than likely. University (Orange City) is 6-1 and has the #5 seed wrapped up.
