By Johnny Inama

     The Ponte Vedra Sharks football team faced Florida State University High School (FSUHS) on Sep. 1, looking to pick up their first win of the season following their 20-17 loss to Bartram Trail high school a week prior. The Sharks traveled over three hours to Tallahassee for their first away game of the season. The Seminoles struck first with an early field goal, to which the Sharks responded with an 11-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back, Brian Case, to make the score 7-3 Sharks. The Seminoles responded with a field goal and a touchdown making it 16-7, the Seminoles on top, with only a quarter left to play. The Sharks drove down the field and capped it off with a touchdown from senior wide receiver, Ryan Smith, to make it 16-14 Seminoles with 11 minutes left to play. The Seminoles expanded their lead shortly after, making it 22-17 with one chance left for the Sharks. They put together another great drive with 1:58 on the clock, and finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown from Brian Case to give the Sharks a 23-22 lead. The clock hit zero and the Sharks were victorious, giving them their first win of the regular season. They had an impressive display of talent against FSUHS and the offense made major improvements off their past game. “We knew what we had to do,” said senior wide receiver, Cole Madson. “We executed better against Florida High and everyone on the team stepped up when we needed it.”

     This 23-22 win moved the Sharks record to 1-1 on the regular season. The Sharks get a week off from playing with a bye week, followed by their third game of the season on Sep. 15 against Middleburg high school. Hopefully, the Sharks can carry their momentum going forward this season. 

(Pictured: Ben Burk (12) preparing to throw a pass)