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Eagles play lights out against Knights

Fleming Island 64, Creekside 21

By Mike Zima Correspondent
Posted 10/24/18

FLEMING ISLAND – Fleming Island running backs Dwayne McBride and Aaron “Azie” Ramirez each ran for two touchdowns as Fleming Island’s offense was at its explosive best in a 64-21 Homecoming …

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Eagles play lights out against Knights

Fleming Island 64, Creekside 21


Posted

FLEMING ISLAND – Fleming Island running backs Dwayne McBride and Aaron “Azie” Ramirez each ran for two touchdowns as Fleming Island’s offense was at its explosive best in a 64-21 Homecoming rout of Creekside on Fri., Oct. 19 in a district 3-7A clash.

The tailback tandem took turns gashing the Knights defense, mostly working the edges of the Golden Eagles’ spread formation. McBride was especially effective, gaining 190 yards on just 12 carries. Playing the first series, the junior set up his own seven yard score with a 56 yard run as Fleming Island took an early lead.

“Dwayne is a bigger body,” explained Fleming Island coach Damenyum Springs. “He pounds them, and he can really wear down a defense.”

After Creekside tied the game at seven on a short keeper by quarterback Tai Lavatai, Ramirez handled the next two series, scoring on runs of two and 17 yards. On the second score, Ramirez swept right, spun away from a tackle attempt by the safety, and charged into the end zone before anyone else could catch him. He finished with 85 yards on 15 rushes.

The Golden Eagles scored twice in the final 1:24 of the first half to pull away. First, tight end Sam Snyder made a juggling catch and broke free from a Creekside tackler to score from thirty yards out. Two plays later, cornerback Jared Ashe forced a fumble by Creekside receiver Jack Goodrich which was recovered by the Golden Eagles’ Jake Libretto at the Knights’ 45 yard line. Dean Hyams then connected with Snyder for 25 yards and followed that pass with a five yard scoring toss to Broden Domenico that gave the Golden Eagles a 36-14 halftime lead.

Fleming Island, now 4-4 overall, 1-3 in District 3-7A, forced two first half turnovers that turned what might have been a shootout into a lopsided game. Libretto’s fumble recovery led to a touchdown, while a first quarter fumble recovery by safety Darius Harris at the Golden Eagles’ 10 yard line prevented a Creekside score.

“The turnovers were important,” said Springs. “We do turnover circuits in practice where we swipe the ball, rip the ball and punch the ball out.”

Things only got worse for Creekside in the second half. Domenico crushed any hope of a comeback by returning the third quarter kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, giving the hosts a 43-14 lead after Avery Coussens’ extra point. Domenico ran left, found a crease and cut upfield, taking advantage of several downfield blocks as he sprinted up the sideline. After the defense forced a three and out, Hyams found upback Max Michaels up the seam for an easy 37 yard score, initiating a running clock with 9:00 left in the third quarter.

The Fleming Island defensive coaches made an adjustment to their pass coverage at halftime, taking the screen pass away from the Knights’ playbook. Lavatai was limited to 15 passing yards in the second half after throwing for 207 yards in first two quarters. Quinn Sieger, who had seven catches before halftime, caught only one more in the second half.

McBride scored for the second time on a weaving 72 yard gallop, and back-up running back Kaleb Seyboldt put the finishing touches on the win with a 60 yard burst in the fourth quarter.

The blowout against a District 3-7A foe that had entered the game with a winning record was therapeutic for the Golden Eagles.

“This win means a lot,” said Springs. “It’s been a down season, and last year we lost to Creekside and lost on Homecoming. This was good for the kids.”

Hyams finished with 215 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing nine of 14 passes.

The Golden Eagles take on Jacksonville Ed White in their home finale on October 26.

Creekside, now 4-4. 0-3, continues its tour of Clay County with a visit to Oakleaf Friday, October 26.