Stanton HS- The Duval County middle school football season officially kicked off today for many teams. That means another thrilling season, with thrilling feats and finishes. Fletcher and James Weldon Johnson certainly didn’t dissappoint in their season opener as Fletcher scored a game-winning touchdown as time expired to win the game.
Quarterback Christian Cato got the ball with less than a minute to play in the game from the Fletcher 30-yard line and drove down the field connecting with his wide receivers. At first, it seemed as if Fletcher would drop the opportunity for a comeback as wide receiver Malachi Smyre dropped a potential touchdown pass down the left side-line.
Fletcher drops the possible walk off touchdown !! Wow! Trailing 12-8 pic.twitter.com/iORI8swOxv
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 13, 2023
However, Cato continued to have faith in his receivers. He connected with Smye on a big catch down the left side line to extend the drive with just 30-seconds left in the game and 2 timesouts.
Cato would then find his other wide receiver Lloyd Long to the right side for a long reception to the James Weldon Johnson 10-yard line.
Finally, after the Trojans stopped Fletcher on a 1st and goal run by Cato, head coach Mat Bonar called his playmaker’s number again. Though Malachi Smyre dropped a pass earlier on the drive, the talented receiver and his quarterback would lay it all on the line with just 5-seconds left in the game.
Cato would take a 2-step drop and loft a fade to the back of the end-zone where Smyre would snatch the ball out of the air and get a foot in bounds for the spectacular catch and walk-off touchdown win for Fletcher.
Wow! REDEMPTION! WHAT A CATCH!! Touchdown!!! GAME! Fletcher Middle wins! 14-12 lover James Weldon on the road! pic.twitter.com/HX6I8TlI7U
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 13, 2023
It was an amazing finish to a close game that saw both teams showcase talented young athletes who will make alot of plays this season.
James Weldon seemed to have the win in hand on their final offensive drive, when quarterback Hudson Ridings hit running back Travis King for a long reception of 65-yards down to the Fletcher 5-yard line.
Wow James Weldon Johnson completed a looooong pass and runs down to the Fletcher 5yd line! Trailing Fletcher 8-6 , 2:00 4th pic.twitter.com/rvGkeHIDVD
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 13, 2023
Then on 4th down, King would take the hand off, sweep around the left end, following the block of Roy Harvison Jr and company to the end-zone. He’d score the go ahead touchdown for James Weldon Johnson with one minute left in the game, as the hoem crowd went crazy.
INCREDIBLE!!! On 4th and goal! James Weldon Johnson scores form the 2-yard line! They lead Fletcher 12-8 less than a minute to play!! pic.twitter.com/SBtZgYWlHM
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 13, 2023
Ridings would display his a dual threat ability in the game, scoring the game’s first touchdown in the first half on a quarterback power play to get into the endzone as James Weldon took a 6-0 lead. James Weldon Johnson’s run game looks promising led by coach Laquan Toomer.
Touchdown James Weldon! They lead 6-0 over Fletcher , 2nd with 1:45 to play!
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 12, 2023
Duval County Middle School Football Opener!! pic.twitter.com/LdJTdV1c71
Trailing 6-0 after halftime, Fletcher offensive line coach Mitch Sorrells challenged his offensive line to make path ways and they did. Said Sorrells, “remember no matter what, run downfield when pulling and block until the whistle”. The offensive line heard his words as Jackson Walker, Jaylen Wilson, Merrick Sorrells, Kaylen Rayner, Derrick Lublin, Bennet Christ, and tight end Cameron Patriot paved the way for a 10-play drive that ate up all but 1-minute of the 3rd quarter.
The Fletcher sweep is in full effect! Driving down the field vs James Weldon and eating up clock! pic.twitter.com/mcpOyrTrAn
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 12, 2023
The drive ended with a touchdown run by Cato, as the mis-direction action from the effective runs earlier on the drive completely fooled the James Weldon Johnson linebackers and defensive end. Not only did Fletcher lay it on the line figuratively to win the game, but they literally laid it on the offensive line as well.
Wow Fletcher took up the entire 3rd quarter on one drive ending in a great touchdown! 6-6 vs James Weldon with the extra point to come! pic.twitter.com/bg7cgf1xk8
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 12, 2023
Flether would connect on a 2-point conversion to go ahead 8-6 heading to the 4th quarter. The Senator’s impressed with their ability to dominate in the run game, but make plays in the passing game. Said coach Mat, “You see the kind of playmaker we have in a our quarterback and wide receivers, I trust these guys”. “We’re going to keep going back to them every time, and I’m very proud of our offensive line”-Coach Mat Bonar.
Beautiful play design by Fletcher! They get the 2-point conversion and lead 8-6 over James Weldon! 3rd , 1:33 pic.twitter.com/laeznnHDsT
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 12, 2023
Fletcher would recover the ensuing kick-off and drive down the field to the James Weldon Johnson 2-yard line. However the Trojan defense would hold on 4th-down to get the ball back.
James Weldon Johnson and head coach Miguel Arias got big efforts from his players on defense all afternoon. Athletes like Krystian Snodgrass who had 2-sacks on the evening. However the strong effort wouldn’t be enough as the players ran out of gas in the end.
Big sack by the Trojans! Fletcher moving the wrong way trailing James Weldon Johnson 6-0, less than a minute to go first half! pic.twitter.com/YcbpPWEjQN
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 12, 2023
Fletcher improves to (1-0) on the season while James Weldon Johnson falls to (0-1). Yet, with a long season ahead, both teams will look to build off this first non-divisional contest.
