PONTE VEDRA - We are in the thick of the district slate of games and the Ponte Vedra Sharks defeated the Middleburg Broncos 52-21, in a game that could help define the season for both teams.
The Sharks improved to a record of 5-2 and 2-1 in District 3-5A, while the Broncos dropped their first game of the season to fall to 6-1 and 1-1 in district play.
It was a high-scoring night with the Sharks jumping out to a quick 24-0 at the end of the first quarter, as Sharks’ running back Brian Case broke into the secondary and stiff-armed a defender before streaking down the right sideline for a 72-yard rushing touchdown to give the Sharks a 10-0 lead.
However, after a couple of quick three-and-outs by the Broncos and in the blink of an eye the Sharks increased their lead to 24 points following blocked punts on consecutive drives.
The first blocked punt for the Sharks was by senior defensive lineman Robbie Grieco who recovered the ball in the end zone for a score, while the second was blocked by a leaping Talan Babin that set up the offense at the Bronco's three-yard line and senior quarterback Drew Price ran it in on a keeper the very next play.
The Broncos finally got on the board with a deep pass from starting quarterback Carson Stewart to a wide-open Jordan Williams to start the second quarter in a big way.
Big plays turned out to be the way to score for the Broncos on the night as their two other touchdowns came on chunk plays as well, as Stewart connected for another bomb, this time to his primary target and fellow senior Joel Lowe, who turned on the afterburners for a catch-and-run highlight play.
However, each time the Broncos looked to close the gap, the Sharks had an answer and reasserted themselves and their lead on the scoreboard.
The Sharks defense picked off a pair of passes on the night, as Cooper Sobieck stepped in front of a pass and helped set Cases’ second touchdown on the day, and Jack Berquist tallied one in the second half.
Senior running back Jake Hilley also got in on the action for the Sharks and punched in a rushing touchdown as well the Sharks led 38-21 at the half after the Broncos scored their third touchdown on the ground Travis Pinkard was on the ground late in the second quarter.
All of the Broncos’ points were scored in the second quarter, as the Sharks’ defense tightened up and shut down the big plays and kept the Broncos scoreless in the second half.