You could see this coming on the radar for weeks as a Fleming Island upset was brewing and forecast to happen any week now. After defeating Clay in the opener, the Golden Eagles fell to Riverside 48-39 and Oakleaf 17-14. In those losses, Fleming Island showed both their ability to score lots of points, and go up early on heavily favored opponents. It was just a matter of time before one of those heavily favored opponents was upset, and unfortunately for Ponte Vedra, that time was at hand.
Led by quarterback Cibastian Broughton (Akron commit), Fleming Island jumped out to an early lead when Broughton hit Trace Burney for a touchdown pass to put them up 7-0 with 3:35 to go in the first quarter.
Cibastian Broughton throws a quick pass to Trace Burney for a touchdown! Eagles strike first
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 27, 2024
3:35 left to go in the first @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/PhHfXS11db
Their second connection together came at the 11:48 mark of the second quarter, when Broughton found Burney again. This tie on a well designed screen play which saw a convoy of blockers escort Burney to the end-zone for 6. Fleming Island led 14-0.
Broughton throws a screen pass to Trace Burney for another seven!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 27, 2024
Eagles lead 14-0 with 11:48 left to go in the half@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/c4QlmpbWyv
Ponte Vedra finally woke up, as they realized they were heavy favorites in the game to win. Afterall, the Sharks sat at #9 in the latest Duval Sports Week 6 Power Rankings. Quarterback Drew Price would orchestrate the drive, culminating in a Brian Case touchdown run to pull Ponte Vedra to within one score 14-6.
Drew Price hands the ball off to Brian Case for a touchdown! Eagles block the extra point!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 27, 2024
Eagles-14
Sharks- 6
7:21 left to go in the half @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/P5Kr83mI72
Yet Fleming Island would respond, thanks to an incredible plays by Demhir Jackson. He scored his first rushing touchdown of the game on a short run at the goal-line to increase his team’s lead to 21-6 in the second quarter.
Demhir Jackson rushes in for a touchdown at the goal line!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 27, 2024
The eagles lead 21-6 with 4:48 left to go in the half @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/00whYmdL5K
The Sharks would strike back with rushing touchdown of their own. JP Dolan bulldozed his way for a short run to make the score 21-12. This score would remain going into halftime as the upset was in the making.
JP Dolan rushes in at the goal line! 2 point conversion no good
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 28, 2024
Eagles- 21
Sharks- 12
25 left to go in the half @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/YicGQPFfCo
Yet Brian Case and Ponte Vedra had something to say about that. He opened the second half running hard and finishing hard. The senior pushed the pile over the goal-line for the touchdown as Ponte Vedra now trailed 21-19 in the third. It was his second of the game.
Brian Case gets the ball and rushes in at the goal line!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 28, 2024
Eagles- 21
Sharks-19
5:28 left to go in the 3rd quarter @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/jhA2u4lGEl
Not to be out done on this evening was Demhir Jackson again, who would score another touchdown. Yet this one was the longest of the gam, and his longest of the season. A 74-yard scamper to increase the lead to 28-19.
Ponte Vedra was not done by a long shot, as they were able to continue their success in moving the ball for scores. Their ensuing drive resulted In a field goal again cutting the lead to 28-22. Then trailing by 6-points, Drew Price would find Davitt Doherty in the end zone for a touchdown to take the lead 29-28 with 1:01 left in the game.
Drew Price throws to Davitt Doherty in the end zone to take the lead. Sharks lead 29-28 with 1:01 left in the game @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/YyzHnQ0BB0
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 28, 2024
That was enough time for Cibastian Broughton to lead his team back to down the field. He found his playmaker Demhir Jackson for the biggest gain of the drive to get into field goal range. Kicker Parker Sirdevan would do the rest, hitting the eventual game winning field goal with just 4 seconds on the clock to stun Ponte Vedra for the win.
The Eagles Win!!!!! 31-29 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/OWa9Y0tDa0
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) September 28, 2024
Fleming Island gets the district win and improved to 2-0 in the district. Ponte Vedra falls to 1-1 in the district and will need some help from other teams later in the season to be in district title contention. The Golden Eagles are getting better and stronger every week. If they can stay consistent, they are favorites to take the district after this win.
Photos by Where’s Home Podcast
