Jacksonville Fl- The 2022 season officially kicked off tonight, as the first live high school football action in Northeast Florida began. Players from Baldwin, Oakleaf, and Sandalwood were extremely eager to hit opposing teams, while makin big plays for the fans. Several players didn’t let a soggy wet field at Sandalwood stop them from putting on a show. Let’s check out who stood out in the pre-season classic, and what each team needs to address going into the regular season.
The show stopper of the night was Oakleaf’s senior wide receiver Taylor Bradshaw. On the very first play of the first game, Bradshaw took a screen pass from quarterback Drew Ammon 80-yards for a touchdown. Bradshaw had several spectacular plays on the evening in both games for Oakleaf. Including this catch and run where he made the defender miss on the way to splitting defenders for a touchdown.
The play of the night for Bradshaw however, came against Sandalwood when Ammon went deep down the middle into double coverage and mossed teo defenders, racing down field and then braking a would be tackle to the endzone for the score. Bradshaw ended the night with three touchdowns in preseason action.
Speeking of Drew Ammon. If there was a quarterback you wanted to get you out of a jam, Ammon is that player. He tossed four touchdowns in his two contests, routinley evading pressure and improvising plays. “Drew-dini” is what I’m calling him, like the famous magician Houdini, as he made magic happen in the preseason classic.
Baldwin had some players that stood out in the preseason classic as well. The first was Mr. Evererything Cortez Martinez. He was all over the place tonight, first forcing a fumble on a bone crushing hit from his linebacker position.
Martinez also registered a fumble recovery and then scored on a touchdown run, showing that he plans to be a big part of Baldwin’s game plan this year.
On defense, sophomore Hylton “Drake” Stubbs was all over the field. He made several tackles and registered an interception on the evening. Stubbs is a hot recruit right now with eight D-1 offers, five of which are power 5’s.
Sandalwood’s Jordan Bean was already a household name amongst the Saints faithful because of his performance on the ground last year. He picked up where he left off rushing for a touchdown against Baldwin.
Baldwin’s Leon Kirkland has great height and great hands to match, as he snatched an interception against Sandalwood.
Sandalwood’s Jaron Thomas returned the favor when he caught an interception off the ricochet. Players like him at defensive back, along with fellow corner Brody Jennings, defensive end Sayvion Blount, line backer CJ Allen, and defensive lineman Jahmein Miller have looked good in fall practice on defense. On offense, newcomer runningback Sajori Love scored a touchdown and looks to give Sandalwood some size at the runningback position, just like Coach Geis likes them.
Oakleaf’s Byson Keitt also caught an interception in the preseason classic. He was seen making plays in the secondary including touchdown saving pass break ups. On offense, athlete Carlos Withrup made a great play, bouncing off a defender showing his power and speed, racing deep into Sandalwood territory for 65 yards. Coach Marucs Miller will look to utilize his many weapons on offense and develop a young defense.
Two players who were relativley quiet in the contest but will be two of the best players on the field this year are Sandalwood’s Koron Hayward ( Georgia Southern coomit) and Oakleaf’s Devin Outlaw.
Finally, it wouldnt be fitting if I didn’t mention what concerned me about each team this year.
Baldwin has alot of heart and fiestiness, but they are a severly undersized team. That will hurt them against big teams that wear them down in the trenches.
Sandalwood has a quarterback competition that could easily turn into a controversey. It certainly wasn’t resolved in the preseason classic as both quarterbacks threw interceptions on the evening. They’ll have to sort that out before next week.
Oakleaf’s offensive line generated no push and opened no running lanes for their running back Devin Outlaw. It’s just the preseason yes, but the season is around the corner and to me that’s a concern.
How each team evaluates their weaknesses in the preseason, will determine how strong they can become in the regular season.
