FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island’s defense never gave Ridgeview a chance to get comfortable, while a dominant rushing attack allowed the Golden Eagles to control the game from start to finish in a 46-0 shutout on Friday night.

Ridgeview never crossed the 50-yard line throughout the game. The Panthers ran just 32 plays, and their longest drive was just six plays.

Fleming Island, on the other hand, ran 50 plays, including more than 35 rushing attempts, as the Golden Eagles controlled both the line of scrimmage and the clock.

Fleming Island got off to a fast start, putting together a lengthy opening drive that began at their own 24-yard line. Senior running back Brady Digman had a strong night, including a 30-yard run that moved the Golden Eagles into Ridgeview territory on the opening possession. After working their way down to the 6-yard line, Digman took the snap in the Wildcat formation and powered up the middle for a touchdown to give Fleming Island a 6-0 lead.

Zion Longmire, Brady Digman and Ryan Siliac all scored, while Fleming Island scored on all but three possessions.

The Golden Eagles’ defense also came out strong on Ridgeview’s first possession. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Fleming Island’s Chase Donaldson blocked the Ridgeview punt to set up the Golden Eagle offense in prime scoring position. Four plays later, Fleming Island capitalized on the short field when Longmire punched it into the end zone to extend the lead to 13-0 just halfway through the first quarter.

Ridgeview’s offense continued to struggle. The Panthers’ next drive ended with another punt, which was returned nearly 45 yards to set Fleming Island up at the Ridgeview 35-yard line. The Golden Eagles again took advantage of good field position, putting together another scoring drive that included a 19-yard Digman before Longmire finished the drive off with a rushing touchdown. Just like that, it was 20-0 before the first quarter was even over.

The second quarter followed the same script. Ridgeview again went three-and-out before punting, while Fleming Island continued to lean on its rushing attack. After another touchdown by Digman, the Golden Eagles went into halftime with a 28-0 lead.

Fleming Island defensive specialists Garrett Dewey, Michael Nesmith and Sebastian Vigilance all excelled in the second half, as Ridgeview was not able to pick up a single first down in the third or fourth quarter.

The difference, according to Nesmith was simple.

“We knew it was very important to play good defense and finish the game," Nesmith said. "Last week we came out and had a strong first half and couldn't finish, the week before we had a strong second half but not a strong first half. Tonight we got the shutout and got the job done.”

The Panthers only had three first downs, two of which came on personal fouls by Fleming Island. On the Panthers’ first possession of the fourth quarter, a backward screen pass went over the intended receiver’s head and was recovered by Fleming Island’s Landon Murphy at the Ridgeview 27. On the Panther’s next drive, a bad snap sailed through the back of Ridgeview’s own end zone for a safety, extending the lead to 39-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Siliac broke through for a nearly 60-yard kick return touchdown, pushing the final score to 46-0.

Week Five

Friday, Sept. 18

Newberry at Middleburg: Newberry is quality small school program that went 5-6 last year, and it has strong history of tough football. Broncos can't blink after scoring last on a Dalton Motes to CJ Williams pass in a 48-6 loss to St. Augustine. The Broncos couldn't slow down the rugged St. Augustine running game, it got spurts with their own running game from KK Robinson. The Broncos may have learn a bunch about themselves with loss, and that could bode well against a tough, small Newberry team.

"We had an entire defense of new faces after last year's graduating class, and I told them to just remember what the game felt like against St. Augustine," said Middleburg coach Ryan Wolfe. "We had a pretty good game plan, but had too many fumbles in the red zone, and too many dropped passes that could have been touchdowns to be successful against a team like St. Augustine."

Newberry (2-2) racked up a 49-6 win over a winless Halifax Academy last week, and it employs a two-quarterback system. Sophomore wideout Zaden Wilcox (0) had 23 receptions in the first three games for Newberry. Wilcox is also one of the two quarterbacks. He's thrown for 107 yards, and his best game was against Cocoa, a 2A Final Four team that lost to eventual champion Cardinal Mooney in the state semifinals. Newberry won that game 14-13 after losing an 8-0 match to unbeaten (4-0) Hawthorne, last year's Rural State champion.

Clay at Fernandina Beach: Clay got the best of Fernandina Beach last year with Clay quarterback Landon Martin amassing 200 passing and 269 rushing yards. Martin will be tasked to not be the workhorse. The weapons around him have to be contributing by this point. The Blue Devils have road trips to St. Augustine and a county blockbuster at Fleming Island in the future. Fernandina Beach (1-2) got their lone win against Keystone Heights in the season opener for both. Clay rolled over Orange Park with 63 points (See Mike Zima's story, page 27) behind an astounding defensive effort that included three scores.

Keystone Heights at Bell: Keystone Heights had a BYE last week and will return to face unbeaten 4-0 Bell, which got a forfeit win over Harvest. The game will be yet another gauntlet test for coach Cameron Porch and his young team. The only common opponent is Branford, with Bell winning a 27-14 game two weeks ago.

Ribault at Ridgeview: Ridgeview gets a shot to boost the impact of a new regime in Panthers land, before heading to games with Middleburg and St. Augustine in next few weeks. A big loss to Fleming Island created some strategy questions, with Ridgeview needing to harden up a bit in rivalry games. Ribault (2-1) got smashed by Columbia, 49-0, but the tale of the tape is not that they got wrecked by the No. 18 in Florida and third in 4A, but that they have solid wins against Andrew Jackson and First Coast. Ridgeview has played pretty tough for most of their games, but it needs to finish drives and lessen the mental errors. The athletes are there.

Ponte Vedra at Fleming Island: Fleming Island is at a crucial 2-2 at this point with high-flying Ponte Vedra coming to town after it took out a good Beachside team last week, 24-7 behind a 10-point fourth quarter. Passing is Ponte Vedra's forte, and Fleming Island has three great athletes in secondary: Chase Donaldson, Ryan Siliac and Brady Digman. Interior defenders Landon Howard and Zion Longmire to have to chase the quarterback. The Sharks got two scores via the air from quarterback Carter Sole. He will need to be pressured to hurry his throws. Fleming Island coach Tom Macpherson likes his home turf, and he is good at mixing up his lineup to suit the needs. What Ponte Vedra saw on film from the overwhelming win against Ridgeview may not be the scheme on Friday.

Game of the Week

Oakleaf at Bolles: This is one of those games Oakleaf coach Chris Foy puts at the top of his list to elevate the Knights to the elite level. Bolles coaches Matt Toblin and Joshua Hoekstra are former Clay coaches and they know what the rivalry can do for both sides. The game was a 57-50 shootout two years ago. Bolles lost its opener, 20-19, to improved Columbia. Coach Brian Allen is back on the sidelines, and he has wins over Archbishop McCarthy (21-14) and Bishop Kenny (35-13). The Knights had two weeks to think about the Bulldogs. Bolles running back Xander Edwards will following up after a 166-yard effort against the Crusaders. Edwards had 2,629 rushing yards last year. Edwards has been humming along quietly after games of 157, 100, 248, 184 and 184 against Oakleaf a year ago. He also had a ridiculous 522 yards against Baldwin. Edwards may be the key, or is Toblin playing some stealth football? Might Bolles be ready for a home upset by Oakleaf? Knights coach Chris Foy has lamented on his lackluster running game. Quarterback Jaidan Delaune is the leader with a combination of scrambles and runs.

Foy is not a guy to sit around and mope. The last two weeks will be telling. With Delaune on the run, that leaves Michael Conner and Syncere Murphy to blocking than catching passes. Two years ago in the 57-50 duel won by Bolles, Jack McKissock passed for 307 yards and four scores. Chris Foy II also ran for 204 yards with two scores. The secret sauce is answering the bell.

Week Six

Thursday, Sept. 24

Clay at St. Augustine: If you want a feather in the cap, consider Clay winning in a major upset. Think of the story where the seniors ushered in all the energy of Green Cove Springs to St. Augustine.

Friday, Sept. 25

Atlantic at Keystone Heights: Both 0-10 last year. Keystone Heights will have momentum here.

Fleming Island at Orange Park: Now a key district game, Orange Park coach Marcus Wimberly may take this game as a pivotal shot in the arm.

West Port at Oakleaf: This is a homecoming game with running the clock being the key against the Wolf Pack.

Game of the Week

Middleburg at Ridgeview: Being so close, Ridgeview coach Jason Smith will like having this game in his own backyard. It could be an alumni festival as well. This would be a major upset if Ridgeview wins.