Every week, we’ve highlighted our 7 Takes from a particular game that we covered during the week. These “7 Takes” make up a complete game summary, highlighting key factors that led to the outcome. Our tenth complete game we provide 7-Takes from is another rivalry between Nease and Ponte Vedra. The “Battle of the Bridge”
Take 1
Nease jumped out of the gate quick, and that’s no surprise at all. Quarterback Bryce Frick is quite possibly the hottest quarterback in the area right now The quarterback has put up some great numbers passing for 1,169 yards, 14 TDs, 2 Ints in just 6 games played. He’s also run for 208 yards and 2 scores with a very hard schedule. On his very first drive, he hit wide receiver Maddox Spencer for a score. He’d finish with 250 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also added 65 yards on the ground and a decisive touchdown run with a minute left in the game.
Take 2
The two interceptions thrown by Frick were to Ponte Vedra seniors Ethan Ash and Ridge Richardson. Both were apart of a defensive unit that got the Sharks back into the game. Ashe’s interception set Ponte Vedra up in Nease territory resulting in the Shark’s first touchdown of the game. Richardson’s interception initially went for a pick 6 in the third quarter, however a penalty upheld the interception, but negated the return. The play might’ve sealed the game putting Ponte Vedra up by two scores, instead the Sharks only led by 6 points 23-17 heading to the 4th quarter. Richardson was all over the field leading the team in tackles with 10.
Take 3
Ponte Vedra’s first score came on the ground thanks to the hard running of junior Brian Case. Case went in on a 1-yard plunge in the first quarter to tie the game 7-7. He’d then give Ponte Vedra the lead 17-14 on a 1-yard run midway through the third quarter. We’ve mentioned this several times in our weekly power rankings, but Ponte Vedra is extremely efficient in the redzone. Running behind a powerful offensive line led by Michigan commit Jake Guarnera, who had three pancake blocks in the game, head coach Steve Price has enjoyed tremendous success near the goal-line. They showed this against Nease by finishing drives mostly using Case who finished with 19 carries, 80 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Take 4
Nease wide receivers were cooking Friday night as seven different receivers caught passes for the Panthers. Maddox Spencer started the scoring with a 25-yard touchdown reception from Frick. Spencer finished with 4 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. He now has 1,173 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns on the season. He is the #1 wide receiver in the state in receiving yards. The 5’8, 155-pound Spencer plays big and it shows.
Take 5
Special Teams was truly special for Nease, and a special player that stepped up was sophomore Brayden Felder. Felder was given a direct snap on a fake punt that picked up 21 yards. The play was crucial as it led to a field goal to tie the game 17-17 in the third quarter. Kicker Daniel Jones hit a 45-yard field goal and hit the go ahead PAT to make the game 24-23 with a minute left in the game. Felder was special not just on special teams, but on offensive as well. The 5 foot 8 140 pound speedster caught 6 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown versus Ponte Vedra.
Take 6
One of the keys to Ponte Vedra’s success has been their offense behind quarterback Ben Burk. Burk passed for 217 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Cole Madson. Madson finished with 97 yards in the game. Burk connected with five different receivers in the game. During crunch time, he did enough to bring home a win for his team. With less than a minute to play the senior drove his team down the field for a potential game winning field-goal. He hit two different receivers on the drive getting the Sharks down to the Nease 20-yard line. However, the team would fall to 7-2 on the season after the kick failed.
Take 7
It’s hard to describe the emotion displayed after Friday’s incredible game. The team and student section rushed the field after the Ponte Vedra’s field goal sailed wide as time expired in the game. Some of the emotion is from the “Battle of the Bridge” rivalry. Some of it stems from the program rebounding from a 2-8 season in 2022, to a 6-3 season in 2023. Most of it comes from the hard work that head coach Collin Drafts, his staff and the players have clearly put in this year that has been on displayed each week as the team as improved at every position. Now, the Panthers control their own destiny a win against Tocoi Creek (5-4) and the yare district champs. That’s enough to celebrate about.
