GREEN COVE SPRINGS - A fourth quarter fumble recovery from Wyatt Rapoza and a strong run game led by quarterback Landon Martin landed a quasi-upset win for the Clay High Blue Devils who beat Fernandina Beach 35-34 to keep the Clay High Homecoming festivities rocking Friday night.

"Give Fernandina Beach credit, they are a good team, put out some trick plays, played hard, hit some deep passes on us and gave us a good game for homecoming," said Clay High coach Jeff Gierke. "J'Vion Cobbert knocked out a good tackle that got Wyatt the recovery and Landon Martin kind of just said 'Give me the ball' and we sealed the game up."

Martin's touchdown highlighted a 269-yard running effort on a warrior-like 34 carries with three touchdowns for the game plus 200 yards passing with two scores.

"It was his best game of the year against a good team," Gierke said. "I think we got shell-shocked against St. Augustine, but they settled in, we got kids healthy and we played hard."

Nehemiah Bailey added 50 yards from the backfield with Gierke noting his contribution on defense.

"He came to me and asked where he could best help the team early in the season and has been at linebacker most of the game," Gierke said. "He comes into the backfield when Landon needs a break and runs hard."

Gierke noted a personnel move that has fortified the Blue Devils defense with offensive tackle A.J. Bivins, at 6'-2", 330 pounds, pushing guys around on the defensive side of the ball, while the return of linebacker Kade Williamson has also given the defense a little more fire.

"As big as he is, A.J. is now pushing guys into the backfield and disrupting offenses," said Gierke, noting Bivins and linebacker Jayshawn McCloud are planning a visit to Georgia Tech for possible football interest. "A.J. is only a sophomore and he is only going to get stronger and more agile in the next two years. Jayshawn is just Jayshawn, probably one of the best linebackers in the area."

Gierke also noted that tackle Touni Saoud also has shifted to play on the defensive line with Bivins.
"Both of them are big strong kids and very athletic," Gierke said. "Touni is one of the strongest kids on the team."

Gierke saw the 35 points on the board as a testament to the team's steadfast commitment to learning the new system he has employed to Clay High football.

"The Homecoming game is always one you want to win, and they put the effort in to get the job done," Gierke said. "The fans were here, the band was loud, the parachute guy got things going and the team responded. That's high school football."

In the air, wide receiver Daylen Brown finished with four catches for 77 yards with two scores with Parker Dykas adding four catches for 47 yards.
For Gierke, this Friday is a road trip to Columbia High for another major test against the 7-1 Tigers who are ranked sixth in Class 4A and 34th in Florida on Maxpreps.com.

Columbia's only loss was to the undefeated and No. 1 in Class 4A St. Augustine (8-0) on Sept. 26, 41-21.