Orlando Fl- Ryan Smenda rushed for two touchdowns, including a dagger in the final quarter lift the Fleming Island Golden Eagles to victory Friday night. The visiting stands at Edgewater High School were a sea of green as the bus loads of Golden Eagle students and fans packed the house for the playoff game. The (11-2) Eagles, coming off their stunning road upset of the Lee Generals last week, road into Northeast Orlando attempting to repeat the upset special. In order to do so, they would need to stop the high powered offense of the (9-3) Edgewater Eagles who came into the second round contest ranked number two in the playoffs. They were able to accomplish this and more with a 23-7 victory in dominating fashion to advance to the third round of the playoffs.
The Fleming Island defense held Edgewater to a season low seven points on offense, a team that had not scored less than 26 points all season. Held in check for most of the game, Edgewater finally scored when running back Isiah Connelly broke several tackles and stayed in bounds to run for a 37 yard touchdown to end the third quarter. Despite valiant efforts from players like Washington, quarterback Robert Harvey Jr and wide receiver Jeremiah Chambers, Edgewater just could not handle the suffocating defense of Fleming Island.
Big Jeremiah Chambers with a big catch on that drive for Edgewater! pic.twitter.com/XrLx2JkONT
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2017
Not so fast!!! Finally some offense for Edgewater #1 Isaiah Connelly breaks several tackles to roll down the sideline for a 37 yard Touchdown! With seconds left in the 3rd Fleming 15 Edgewater 7. Now end of 3rd! pic.twitter.com/W3orZpq5ix
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2017
The defensive performance highlighted a game with a defensive angle from the start. Both teams struggled to put points on the board early in the game. On the first drive of the game Ryan Smenda broke a nice 20 yard run on 3rd and 1 that yielded no points. Both teams would trade punts throughout the first quarter.
Fleming Island seemed to crack the defensive code in the second quarter and the code breaker was #20 running back Chauncey Garrison. Garrison found running lanes to push his team into the Edgewater redzone. Fleming was plagued by penalties in the first half, and on this drive a holding call pushed the ball back out of the redzone. A completion to Tight End Nick Ferendo set up a Noah Hamlett field goal to put Fleming Island on the board 3-0 in the second quarter.More defense is what Edgewater saw. A sack by #6 Josh Harris forced an Eagle punt and accented a strong effort by the Eagle’s linebackers and secondary. #5 Jackson Bull led the team vocally on defense, and #10 Jack Surgeoner led the team in tackles. Their efforts allowed Fleming Island more opportunities on offense and that meant more touches for the Fleming running backs. First, #21 Anfernee McCaskill got into the action, making nice solid runs for first downs. His effective running set up a second quarter touchdown by Chauncey Garrison to increase the Fleming Island lead to 9-0. A blocked field goal by Edgewater at the end of the half secured the score at 9-0.
Chauncey Garrison with the 10yd touchdown run! PAT No Good ! Fleming Island leads Edgewater 9-0 2nd 2:22 to play @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/sm9wSw55t2
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2017
FIGHTIN' Eagles AND GOLDEN Eagles facing off tonight. 9-0 Fleming 3:31 3rd @FIEagleSports pic.twitter.com/wljuoM7l9M
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2017
In the second half, Fleming Island pulled away from the Eagles with a steady dose of defense and down hill running. Ryan Smenda broke the game open with a 56 yard touchdown run, shooting through the middle of the Edgewater defense like a cannon. The big time run by the big time player completely changed the trajectory of the playoff contest. Down 15-0 late in the third quarter, it forced Edgewater to hurry their offense and get out of rhythm and sync. After the late third quarter touchdown to make the score 15-7, Fleming Island managed the emotional barrage of Edgewater and drew a dagger in the heart of the Eagles. Midway through the fourth quarter Smenda closed out the contest with is second touchdown of the night. A short touchdown run through the heart of the defense doomed Edgewater, and decided the game in favor of Fleming Island.
SMENDA AND THE Golden Eagle offense wearing down the Fighting Eagles of Edgewater! 15-0 end of 3rd pic.twitter.com/J4ozDt27ta
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2017
Golden Eagles Head Coach Damenyum Springs has his team rolling right now. His team has gone on the road in consecutive contests and upset two teams that were ranked higher. His defense has neutralized play makers from those teams, including Edgewater’s dynamic duo of Robert Harvey Jr, and Isaiah Connlley. It was the dynamic duo of Ryan Smenda and Chauncey Garrison that over powered Edgewater and smote the Eagles out of the playoffs. Fleming Island will now face Bartram Trail next, in the 6A Regional Finals.
Coach Springs and the Fleming Island Golden Eagles taking it back to the Rock! After their big playoff victory in Orlando vs Edgewater! pic.twitter.com/pUGevIGo8N
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2017
” Execution will beat the emotion every time”- Ryan Smenda
2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets: FHSAA Class 7A
