Ponte Vedra Fl- For the second week in a row, the Oakleaf Knights led by head coach Christopher Foy went on the road in the playoffs and upset a top ranked team. First it was district champion Mandarin, a team that had just defeated the Knights two weeks prior to their playoff contest. They downed them in round 1.
This time it was Nease, the #1 team in the state of Florida ranked officially by Maxpreps, and the #1 ranked team in Northeast, Florida at the end of the season by Duval Sports. Both upsets have been impressive and indicators that Oakleaf can no longer be looked at as underdogs.
They’ll travel to Buchholz (9-3) in the regional final Friday. The #2 ranked Bobcats defeated #3 Pace 34-24in their regional semifinal matchup. As for the #5 ranked Knights, their wins of #4 Mandarin, and #1 Nease looked consistently the same, and defense was the main reason.
Oakleaf held Nease to just 14 points, it was the Panther’s lowest point total in a previously undefeated season. It started up front for with players like Aidan Justillian, Christopher Jules and Amare Thomas applying pressure and generating sacks. The 6 foot 2, 300-pound Thomas collapsed the pocket. The 6 foot 3, 265 pound Jules made it difficult for Nease quarterback Nate Harry to see, and the quick and powerful Justillian knifed in for sacks.
Oakleaf's Aidan Justilien gets the sack in the regional semifinal contest vs Nease! @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/US8ZrKyMeP
— Andre' Ellis (@andreellis55) November 23, 2024
They’re constant pressure by others like Daquan Beacham, Anthony Smith allowed for the linebackers like Bryan Copeland to make tackles and make plays on the ball. Junior Jermaine Robinson intercepted a pass that ricocheted off the helmet of Jules as Robinson was on the spot for the interception.
2026 LB Jermaine Robinson of Oakleaf gets a big interception off the deflection vs Nease! Robinson is 6'2. 192lbs @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/7dO7wH0JPy
— Andre' Ellis (@andreellis55) November 23, 2024
The secondary, led by senior Kaylib Singleton, junior Jordin Price, junior Rodney Townsend Jr, and junior Tyrone Early would harass Nease pass catchers and make critical stops when needed. None more critical than a last attempt for Nease to bring the game to within two scores when Early would intercept the pass ending any hope of a miracle.
Junior Fareed Coleman also starred in the secondary with pivotal PBU’s, yet his major impact would come on the offensive side of the ball. Coleman to the start for the injured Christopher Foy who has led Oakleaf in rushing all season with 1,239 yards and 26 touchdowns. Yet this night belonged to Coleman, who could not be stopped. His second quarter scamper for a touchdown put Oakleaf up 14-0 over Nease to stun the home crowd.
Fareed Coleman!! Touchdown!! @fareedcolemanjr Oakleaf goes up 14-0 over Nease 2nd round of the playoffs! Knights turn the muffed punt into points! 2nd qtr 6:00 pic.twitter.com/cAJm3GNHIJ
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 23, 2024
However, it was is second half touchdown that completely silenced the Nease faithful. Coming out of halftime, he had already reeled off several impressive runs for first downs. You could anticipate the junior would break one, and on the second possession of the second half he did. Shot out of a canon, Coleman rocketed 55-yards to the house to put Oakleaf up 21-0 in the third quarter.
Fareed Coleman is Gooooone! Touchdown Oakleaf!! Wow! Knights go up 21-0 over Nease .3rd @fareedcolemanjr pic.twitter.com/2Dzzu0rfur
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 23, 2024
Coleman was accompanied in the second half by fellow running back Malaci Warten. Said Warten after the game, ” I felt like I let my coaches and team down earlier in the game with a mistake, so I was focused on making a play”. What a play indeed when Warten sprinted 80-yards up the middle untouched fora touchdown. It was the first play of the ensuing drive to a Nease touchdown which cut the lead to 21-14.
https://t.co/f5fzys4CNF pic.twitter.com/P2ooYfnwmv
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 23, 2024
KJ Perry would rumble in for six as Nease attempted to claw their way back into the game. Nate Harry would conduct drives, but each one seemed to stall in the redzone, thanks in part to the Oakleaf defense.
KJ Perry @KJ_904 touchdown! Nease finally gets on the board! 4th qtr! 11:21 to play! The trail Oakleaf 21-7 pic.twitter.com/YqTIt54k0X
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 23, 2024
Nate Harry would toss a touchdown to bring the score to 28-14 in the fourth quarter, but Nease could never get the big play that they were accustomed to getting all year. They attempted a fake punt which failed. They attempted several block punts which failed. They attempted an onsides kick which failed Oakleaf was extremely discipled and poised and it came from experience.
Nate Harry touchdown pass! @nateharry7 Nease not done yet! They trail 28-14, 6:42 , 4th to Oakleaf pic.twitter.com/cMiXRLQbIp
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 23, 2024
That experience doesn’t just extend from their head coach, it trickles down to the players. Standouts like senior Carlos Witherup who scored the first touchdown of the game on a pass from junior quarterback Jack Mckissock. Witherup scored his second touchdown in consecutive playoff games.
Jack Mckissock to Carlos Witherup TOUCHDOWN!! Oakleaf strikes first! Leads Nease 7-0 1st @OhthatsLos @JackMcKissockQB pic.twitter.com/rULs0hOx9g
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 23, 2024
Witherup said after the game, “going to the state championship game last year with Mandarin really prepared me for moments like this, we know what the end goal is and that’s a state championship”. Similar to his former team Mandarin, Oakleaf will have to win on the road. So far, that has been their formula for success, as they hope to keep it rolling next week in Gainesville, Florida.
