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.
“That whole play was great, the left side down-blocked perfectly, and I had my tackle behind me wrap up perfectly,” senior offensive lineman Rocco Garcia said. “As an offensive line, I believe we have one of the most together groups on the team, and its something we’re always working on. I’m obviously the oldest one, but we’ve got a very experienced group and combined we’ve played about 100 games between us.”
However, 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 Broncos three-yard line and senior quarterback Drew Price ran it in on a keeper the very next play.
“I just saw the left guard staring down our three-tech on the left side, so I just shot the gap and wound up blocking it,” Babin said.
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 as the more physical team.
The Sharks defense picked off a pair of passes on the night, as Cooper Sobieck stepped in front of a pass and helped setup 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 as the Sharks led 38-21 at the half after the Broncos scored their third touchdown on the ground Travis Pinkard 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.
“We just know that the ‘(Shark) Tank’s’ ours and we just wanted to make sure we went out there and kept playing with pride,” Babin said. “When we’re at our best, we’re really good. We just got to keep the energy up and just always bring the mojo and play with that swagger that we know is PV football.”
Meanwhile, the Sharks continued to control things, especially along the line of scrimmage and they marched down the field for the opening third quarter drive that Price capped by drilling a pass to Cam Tietze to put the Sharks up 45-21 and seal the deal early in the second half.
Whether it was on the ground or through the air, Price had time to sit in a clean pocket and make the necessary plays.
“I think we have the best defensive line in Florida, so doing pass protection against them every day in practice definitely helps us a lot,” Garcia said. “You don’t ever get a break against them, and I love that.”
Cole Rosendahl got in the game at quarterback as the Sharks’ reserves got some valuable playing time and ran for the final touchdown in the contest.
Next up, the Sharks travel to take on the Orange Park Raiders (2-5, 0-2) at 7 p.m. and the Broncos also go on the road to take on the Beachside Barracudas (5-2, 0-2) at 7 p.m. Both games will be played Friday, Oct. 18.
