Northeast Florida- Shut them out. That’s right, Bradford County came into Clay County and proved to the 904 that they are the best defense in the entire area; shutting out Oakleaf 12-0 on Friday night. The reason Bradford can boast such a claim, is that they are the only team to hold Oakleaf scoreless this season. Not Bolles, not Creekside, but Bradford.
The defensive effort began when the Bradford unit recovered a fumble in Oakleaf territory. It didn’t take long for the Tornadoes to capitalize on the turnover as Willie Pollard ran it in for a touchdown to give Bradford a 12-0 lead.
Willie Pollard scores for Bradford after the Oakleaf fumble 6-0 Tornadoes 1st pic.twitter.com/welxjglesb
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 6, 2023
Bradford would score again in the first quarter when quarterback Da’Jon Shanks threw a touchdown pass to Chalil Cummings for 30-yard touchdown to put the Tornadoes up early 12-0 over Oakleaf. Unfortunately for the Knights, that’s all it would take as the Bradford defense made stop after stop to hold Oakleaf scoreless.
Dae'jon Shanks goes up top to Chalil Cummings for the Touchdown !! Bradford up early 12-0, 1st @Dat6uyy @ChalilCummingss pic.twitter.com/IueLy5UuUH
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 6, 2023
One of those big plays came from Bradford outside backer and nickel Jeremiah McKenzie. The junior read the eyes of the quarterback and stepped in front of an Oakleaf pass across the middle for an interception. The play held Oakleaf from crossing mid-field, something Bradford did for most of the game.
Jeremiah McKenzie INTERCEPTION! Bradford leads Oakleaf 12-0, 3rd ,8:10! pic.twitter.com/RXbzTqEIpK
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 7, 2023
Tyler Berry also secured an interception in the second half, but the play was nullified due to a roughing the passer penalty on Bradford. Still, the Tornadoes defense would hold on the drive and force an Oakleaf punt.
Bradford's Tyler Berry interception!! But it is nullified due to a roughing the passer penalty . They still hold a 12-0 lead over Oakleaf! 1:24 3rd pic.twitter.com/Ry96wv7LVt
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 7, 2023
Another standout performance in the game came from an unsung hero, defensive tackle Jalen Williams. Williams routinely plugged the middle against the run. Pressured the quarterback against the pass. He also snuffed out a screen pass at the end of the game which sealed the fate for Oakleaf’s comeback chances.
Jalen Williams snuffs out the screen! He's plugged the middle, pressured the QB , done it all for Bradford! What a defense! @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/cbNESvETjS
— Andre' Ellis💬 (@andreellis55) October 7, 2023
Impressively, Bradford has held every opponent this year under 7-points. Holding an Oakleaf team to 0- points that scored 28-points against Bolles, and 20-points against Creekside earlier this year, is enough to salute the entire unit that’s produced. In addition to the aforementioned players, Chalil Cummings also plays defensive back as well as offense. He joins defensive ends Torin Brazell and Duke Lewis. Linebackers Chason Clark, and Devon McBride, who are backed up by Malakai Murphy, and Jamarian Hood on the back end in the secondary. Jorden Daniels holds down the middle at defensive tackle making for an impressive, experienced and athletic unit.
Their lack of flashiness from their offense mirrors their lack of flashiness from their defense. They just bring their lunch pails, go to work, and get the job done. The same persona of their head coach Jaime Rogers, and that’s why they’re now 6-0 on the season.
Next week will be another test for Bradofrd has they face True North Classical Academy (5-0) down in Miami. The only cause for concern for the Tornadoes is if they will be without standout running back Willie Pollard for any length of time, as he exited Friday’s game with an apparent injury to his hand.
In any case, the Bradford defense will look to keep handing shut-outs to the opposition, as they remain one of the top teams in the Duval Sports Power Rankings this week.
