Gainesville Fl- The playoffs begin tonight and we kickoff our tale of the tape, previewing each Northeast Florida playoff team and opponent. Take a look each great matchup between two these well coached teams, and the break down at several positions.
#8. Fleming Island (6-4) vs #1. Buchholz (9-1)
Fleming Island Coach : Damenyum Springs
Buchholz Coach: Mark Whittemore
RPI Rankings Region 1- Class 7A
- Buchholz-0.693
- Spruce Creek-0.665
- Niceville-0.646
- Fletcher-0.498
- University (Orange City)-0.591
- Atlantic Coast-0.566
- Nease-0.564
- Fleming Island 0.534
Quarterback:
Fleming Island: Led by freshman Cibastian Broughton, the quarterback has passed for 1067 yards, 7 TDs and 6 INTs. Quarterback was a question mark coming into the season for Fleming Island, yet Broughton has effectively managed the game well and guided the Golden Eagles to the post season. He will have to make some big plays tonight for his team to have a chance.
Buchholz: Junior Creed Whittemore is having a phenomenal season. Already offered by Texas A&M and Florida, the 3-star athlete has passed for 1472 yards, and 16 TDs through the air. While also adding 615 yards on the ground with 7 touchdowns on the season. He is the ultimate playmaker at the position, a duel threat that assaults defenses with his arm and legs. He gashed on of the best team’s in Northeast Florida Bartram Trail last week for 129 yards and a TD. The Bobcats will look for him to continue what he does best, make plays.
Running-back:
Buchholz: Creed Whittemore leads Buchholz in rushing, however the Bobcat offenses uses an assortment of weapons to run the ball effectively. Junior Amarius Hale has run for 297 yards and 4 TDs on the season.
Fleming Island: The Fleming Island rushing attack is led by 4-star junior running-back Sam Singleton. He’s rushed for 927 yards, 9 TDs in just 8 games. He’s a game breaker when he touches the ball, able to go the distance. Singleton hasn’t played the last two weeks, so questions surround whether he will be available for tonight’s contest. If he can’t go, it will be a 3-headed monster between Musthafa Marshall (240yds rush) Cartaveon Valentine (207yds rush) and Broughton. They need Singleton for sure, he’s a game time decision.
Wide Receiver:
Fleming Island: This is a great matchup between the young lion and the old lion. The young lion is Fleming’s junior Darion Domineck. He’s 6’4, 185 pounds and can move! His 271 yard receiving leads the team but the Eagles spread it around to senior Caleb Jones (262 yds rec) and junior Brenden Cook (242 Yds)
Buchholz: One of the best wide receivers in the state resides in Gainesville and his name is Quan Lee. Like Bruce Lee (his last-name sake) Lee can hurt you in many different ways. The 3-star wideout leads Buchholz in receiving with 610 yards and 10 TDs. He also is dangerous in rushing and punt returns as he leads Buchholz in total yards with 1001.
Defense:
Buchholz: The Bobcats are very big and stout up front. 6’0, 280 pound tackle Jahari Clemmons has 5 sacks on the year. Defensive End Kendell Jackson has 5 sacks at 6’5, 235lbs. Linebacker Daryus Boyd is a monster on defense. Nasty, hard hitting and leads the team with 6 sacks. Tavares Williams leads the team in tackles (51) from his safety position. Junior Donny Hiebert leads them with 4 picks on the season.
Fleming Island: Their defense has been a problem as a unit for, but they have some very nice individual pieces. Jhace Edwards is second in sacks (6.5), fifth in tackles (56) and has an interception. He’s also used on offense with 7 touchdowns on the ground. 6’2, 215 Abram Wright leads the team with 7 sacks, while senior Dedrick Walker leads the team with 3 interceptions.
Keys to Victory: Buchholz has defeated Bolles, Bartram Trail, and Sandalwood this year. Three of the best teams in our area. They will continue to do what they’ve done all year and that’s dominate on defense. The bobcats haven’t allowed an opponent over 13 points this year. Fleming Island must find a way to stop them on defense and keep the game close in order to win. If they can get that patent running game going and control the game with that, it will be interesting.
Match up to watch: Quan Lee vs Sam Singleton
Fleming Island Images by Heather Isbell
