By Audrey Rosendahl
The class of 2026 at Ponte Vedra High School, (PVHS) starts off their very last season on the football field. Seniors, quarterback, Cole Rosendahl, wide receiver, Jack Berquist, linebacker, Talan Babin, and defensive line, JP Dolan are all captains on the team. The progress and all the work that has been put in is being shown on the field for the last time.
The night of August 22nd, The Nease High School Panthers arrive in the Shark Tank for the kickoff of the season. To start off the season with a major rivalry is nerve-racking for both teams.
The Sharks started off slowly, Rosendahl, leading the offense as the quarterback, was unable to get a first down due to the panther’s defense. The Panthers cut through the Shark’s defense quickly making the score 7-0. The offense again was short to get a first down forcing a punt from the Sharks. Babin, leading the defense, got a huge sack on the Nease quarterback forcing them to take a field goal, making the score 10-0. Rosendahl tried to convert but has no time in the pocket and struggles to get offensive yards. Nease scores with a huge 51-yard run, making a devasting score after the first quarter of 17-0 for the Panthers.
“The loss is hard to take in, but we will focus on the little things and be ready to comeback next game,”
Jack berkquist (12)
Into the second quarter, a huge loss to the Sharks when senior, Talan Babin went down with an elbow injury. The defense struggled to recover from losing a leader on the field. The Sharks were unable to read the Panthers offense and couldn’t get a stop. Finally, the Shark’s offense created a play to Berquist, but Rosendahl kept it, to give the Sharks a 31-7 score at the half.
Going into the second half, the Shark’s offense stepped up their game. Rosendahl’s passes were on fire. Rosendahl and Berquist connect to reach a 31-14 score with junior, Noah Ash to kick the extra point. The Sharks Defense still couldn’t get a stop, and the panthers converted a huge touchdown throw. Sharks Offense, still on a roll, work together to grab many first downs. A quarterback sneak from Rosendahl, made it a 28-21 score. Sharks defense finally stopped the Panthers from getting to the endzone with senior, safety Fionn Day and Dolan leading the defense. A junior wide receiver, Tucker Henderson gets a great touchdown pass from Rosendahl making the score 38-28. Nease kneels to finish the game. The Panthers take the win, but the Sharks are fueled for the rest of the season. “The loss is hard to take in, but we will focus on the little things and be ready to comeback next game,” says Berquist.
Pictured: Tucker Henderson driving for the end zone with the football (@fenneyflics)
