Running back Davon Davis( #7) scored twice for the Highlands Wildcats to spark their victory against Kirby Smith 32-0. Davis scored on a 60 yard catch and run, and also returned a punt for a touchdown. Davis is just one of many play makers Highlands has this year, which is the reason many are greatly anticipating the Wildcat’s showdown with Mathew Gilbert, the defending Middle School Champions. Head coach Aaron Austin said of his team’s win over Kirby “It’s a pretty big win anytime you can get a win in your conference, but everybody knows we have that date with Gilbert. We’re going to try and get better and better so we can play a pretty good game against Gilbert. It’s the game of the century for us”.
With seventeen years of coaching experience including stops at storied High School programs such as Raines and Ribault , Coach Austin always has his sights set on the long term goals.
Yet he makes sure to take every opportunity to remind his team of their roles as players. ” We’re going to take it one game at a time and of course our ultimate goal is to get this county championship”. His Wildcats took a very important step today with their performance. Quarterback Jacourey Rivers (#6) captained an offense that scored on the ground and through the air. Rivers was able to let the receivers develop their routes, while having time to asses the mismatches in the secondary. Credit goes to the Highlands offensive and defensive lines for establishing the line of scrimmage on the afternoon. #50 Everett Music (NG) played a pivotal role in the defense’s shut out of the Comets. And though this is Music’s first year on the team, the youth football experience of Rivers (F.L.A) and #4 Michael Smith ( North Jax & Forestview) has played a very important role in their successes as leaders on the field.
” I think it’s a good experience for me to get ready for high school and the next level”- Smith
The next level is where Kirby is striving to get, and they have a wealth of knowledge and experience at their disposal. Coach Charles Lee has been roaming the sideline for almost twenty years. After spending time at Raines, Ribault, he’s been at Kirby for four years. The dedication and sacrifices that are made by coaches like Coach Lee and Austin on behalf of the young men and women in the community are invaluable. The experience past down by coach and gained by each player is what makes every game like this key.
Check back with DuvalSports for post game interviews from this game!
