JACKSONVILLE BEACH – In overtime knotted at 20-20, sophomore running-back Myles Montgomery was larger than life, running the winning 10-yard touchdown for the Senators to defeat Mandarin 27-20. With the playoffs on the line and facing one of the hottest teams in the city, Fletcher’s seniors and a sophomore running-back proved to each other and the FHSAA that they were ready for the big time.
In a game with plays as unorthodox as a Peter Gabriel 1980’s music video, Fletcher seemed to have the advantage early. They started off hot, driving the ball deep into Mandarin territory in the first quarter. Facing first and goal, Mandarin’s defense would stand tall in the red-zone forcing a turnover on downs in the shadow of their own end-zone. It was a big stop by the Mustang defense, as the defensive line and linebackers stuffed the attempted quarterback sneak by Fletcher.
Mandarin defense makes a goal line stand on Fletcher @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/ty35vUg3hi
— KingDeWitt (@DeWitt2fye) November 2, 2018
However, on the next possession a decisive defensive stop would turn into a disastrous offensive stumble for the Mustangs. Quarterback Carson Beck would drop back to pass in his own end zone, looking for his receiver across the middle, Fletcher’s safety Jaylen Mitchell intercepted Beck and returned it 15-yards, dodging would be tacklers for the touchdown. Incredibly, the Mitchell interception was the seniors tenth of the year and his third pick six return for a touchdown.
Fletcher #2 Jaylen Mitchell with INT for a TD!! @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/RD3HzGrgpP
— KingDeWitt (@DeWitt2fye) November 2, 2018
Beck would rebound from the early mishap with a monster completion to wide receiver Kris Mitchell for 51 yards and the Mustangs answered the early score for Fletcher. The two teams would trade scores and take a 13-13 score into halftime.
Mandarin #18 Carson Beck pass to Mandarin #1 Demario Douglas to set Mandarin up on the 1 yard line!! @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/FOi0Gx06Xf
— KingDeWitt (@DeWitt2fye) November 2, 2018
In the third quarter, another senior Jeremiah Payton made one of the plays of the night when the received the punt at his own 40 yard line, race right, then reversed field to his left and sprinted down the sideline for the go ahead touchdown. The touchdown electrified the home crowd as Fletcher inched closer to its first playoff birth in years leading 20-13.
Fletcher #88 Jeremiah Peyton with the PR for a TD against Mandarin to make it 13-20 Fletcher in the 3rd quarter!! @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/rUXrGxZceB
— KingDeWitt (@DeWitt2fye) November 3, 2018
Mandarin was not going quietly, a team that wrapped up the District 1-8A title last week, still had something to prove to the city.They struck back through the air when Beck hit Darian Oxendine for a 75 yard touchdown to tie the game 20-20 and send it into overtime.
Fletcher #18 Myles Montgomery ran a go ahead TD in OT to win against Mandarin 27-20 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/JkcTh49ek0
— KingDeWitt (@DeWitt2fye) November 3, 2018
In overtime, it was the unlikely sophomore Montgomery, a Mayport Middle product and 2017 Duval Sports Middle School Top 50 Athlete that made the play to go ahead 27-20.
Montgomery scored the deciding touchdown, yet Fletcher’s defense did the rest. After stopping Mandarin on three downs, senior defensive end Hunter May would sack Carson Beck on fourth down to end the overtime and the game. Fittingly, it was a senior who stepped up big at the right time for Fletcher.
With the win Fletcher (7-3) received enough points in the FHSAA point system to advance to the playoffs even though they sit third in their district behind Columbia and Lee. They’ll face Columbia, a team they narrowly lost to earlier in the regular season by one point 21-20. Mandarin (6-4) will have a rematch against Deland, a team they defeated earlier in the year 24-21 back in Week 4.
