By Johnny Inama
The Ponte Vedra High School football team faced their fifth opponent of the season on Sep. 29 against a 2-2 Flagler Palm Coast High School (FPCHS). The weather was wet and muddy, and the team with the more dominant run game would likely come away victorious. The Sharks pushed the ball down the field with ease on their first drive, capped off with a passing touchdown to junior tight end, Landon Okla, to make it 7-0 early. The Sharks got the ball back quickly and scored yet again, this time from 51 yards out on a long rushing touchdown from senior quarterback, Ben Burk, to make it 14-0 to end the first quarter. The FPCHS offense continued to be sluggish throughout the first half, punting the ball multiple times. The Sharks scored yet again with a goal line touchdown run from junior running back, Brian Case, to make it 21-0 going into the half.
The Sharks offense was not as dominant coming out of the half, but they continued to shut down FPCHS on the defensive side holding their offense scoreless. The Sharks went on to score a field goal and another rushing touchdown came from Case, giving the Sharks a 31-0 shutout win in their first district game of the season. The Sharks completely controlled the FPCHS offense the entire game, and the offense did their job as well with their fourth straight win of the year.
Burk finished 9 for 13 for 169 yards and a passing touchdown, and another 79 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Case finished with another dominant performance, finishing with 13 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns, also leading the team in receiving yards with three catches for 60 yards. Okla added three catches for 27 yards and the lone receiving touchdown of the game. Junior edge rusher, Robbie Grieco, finished with a sack and senior linebacker Maddux Babin finished with an interception.
“We are preparing the same we do for every team we play. The best way to treat every week is like the team is 0-0 and we gotta bring our best.”
Ben burk (12)
This win is the Sharks’ second largest win of the year, and also their second shutout win of year. The Sharks will now face a 4-1 Bishop Kenny High School next week on Oct. 6, which could be the toughest opponent the team will face this season. “We are preparing the same we do for every team we play. The best way to treat every week is like the team is 0-0 and we gotta bring our best,” said Burk about the upcoming challenge next week.
Pictured: Mark Holder (12) lining up to receive the ball
