Jackson HS- Don’t look now, but this year may be the year of the Comet. The Springfield Comets that is, after they soared past Mandarin in the first round of the Duval County Middle School playoffs 30-0. Springfield went 8-0 in the regular season, and is now 9-0 and will face Twin Lakes in round 2.
Said head coach Chuck Brown after the game, “we can’t jump to the championship and look past the next game, we’re going to enjoy this one tonight and best believe when they walk on campus tomorrow we’ve already put this game behind us”– Coach Chuck Brown
It’s been that type of focus that has led Springfield all year, and what kept them focused in the game against Mandarin. Tied 0-0 into the second quarter, Springfield would get on the board first when running back CJ Debruce scored on a touchdown run to give the Comets a 8-0 lead after the successful 2-point conversion.
Mandarin attempted to respond to the score, but an interception by Springfield’s James Beal halted a late second quarter drive. It was a great play by Beal to play center field and track the quarterback’s eyes to the ball. Textbook play by the exceptional student athlete.
Springfield Middle INTERCEPTION! First half vs Mandarin Middle . They lead 8-0 pic.twitter.com/6MT4iKp0Co
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 7, 2023
Springfield had time to respond to the score, however Mandarin would hold them out of the end-zone with an interception of their own. It was the play that the Hawks needed in hopes of getting them back into the game. They trailed at halftime by a score of only 8-0.
Interception Mandarin! They trail 8-0 at halftime Vs Springfield Middle! pic.twitter.com/yilJtGGbHk
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 7, 2023
In the second half, Springfield would pull away from Mandarin. First, quarterback Sa’mon Morgan-Ellison tossed a beautiful pass to Adron Gray for a long touchdown to put the Comets up 16-0 in the third quarter.
Touchdown Springfield!! Leading Mandarin 16-0 second half Duval County Middle School Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/fD12mDG0rB
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 8, 2023
Mandarin attempted to get back into the game, driving down the field on chain moving power runs up the middle, however the Hawks would fumble the ball on the 1-yard line and Gray would recover for Springfield in the third quarter. It was a costly turnover for Mandarin, as the time consuming drive almost certainly meant that they had to score before the fourth quarter. Instead Springfield would score.
Mandarin fumbles at the 1-yard line! Wow! Springfield takes over leading 16-0 start of the 4th pic.twitter.com/iMVrcDCl6U
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 8, 2023
In the fourth, Springfield would soar even higher extending their lead over Mandarin by two more touchdowns. The first touchdown came on the ground, and was set up by a long pass to Trevon Gelsey who climbed the ladder over the top of the defender to get the Comets in the redzone.
The second, a touchdown pass came from Morgan-Ellison who connected with his wide receiver Quodre Rolack who was wide open in the endzone. The scoring ended the night, as Springfield won 30-0 defeating a very good Mandarin.
Touchdown Springfield Middle!! 22-0 over Mandarin Middle 4th pic.twitter.com/VrQ4p080MM
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 8, 2023
The shut-out victory couldn’t have been possible without great defense. Players like Samon Morgan-Ellison who also played defensive end prevented Mandarin’s running backs from getting to the edge of the defense. Others like Rashad Butler shut down the air ways in the secondary. Butler would say after the game, “I like playing corner because I can get the ball back to the offense”. This team loves forcing turnovers, and that was the key to their victory tonight.
Next Springfield will face Twin Lakes who is the 2022 Duval County Middle School Runners -Up. The game is sure to be extremely competitive, as both teams look to hoist their first Middle School championship trophy.
