Lee High School- The 2018 Duval County Middle School Football season is in the books, and it only took five quarters to get to its dramatic conclusion. It was an overtime thriller, between the Highlands Wildcats and the Lake Shore Warriors that would crown the champion. After a hard fought back and forth battle, Highlands would come out of the fray victorious, defeating Lake Shore 20-14 to win their first football championship in school history.
The game pitted champions of their respective divisions against each other. Lake Shore, winners of the West division, came into the game undefeated (8-0) without a division loss. They defeated Fletcher to advance to the title game. Highlands, winners of the North division came into the contest undefeated at 7-0. Wins over the defending county champion Ribault Colts and the 2016 county champion Gilbert Panthers were big accomplishments in the regular season for them. They defeated Manadrin to advance to the title game. In the post season the county championship was the goal for both teams.
The game got off to a fast start when on the first play of the game, Highland’s quarterback De’Shyh Beafort looked as if he shot out of a Lee General cannon, when he rocketed 56-yards for a touchdown. Highlands would convert on the two point conversion and lead early 8-0.
Lake Shore would respond in a more melodic fashion using multiple rushers to gain first downs and move the ball down the field. #5 Charles Jones-Burroughs and #1 J’nethen Jackson ran hard for Lake Shore. Their efforts led to a Warrior touchdown run by #2 Cornelius Pender who powered off right tackle for the score. The 2-point conversion was good and the biggest game of the Duval County Middle School year was tied 8-8.
Next Lake Shore’s defense would begin to contain Highlands play makers, as the Wildcats found it hard to execute their offense. Lake Shore’s offense would capitalize on Highland’s contempt by controlling the line of scrimmage. Their undersized but unrelenting offensive-line pushed the High land’s defensive line backwards creating running lanes for their running backs. It would lead to a 2nd quarter touchdown run by J’nethen Jackson who rolled around the right side giving Lake Shore a 14-8 lead.
Lake Shore wouldn’t have the lead long as Highlands would respond. The Wildcats would utilize their explosive packages, led by De’Shyh Beafort. Beafort would follow his blockers and take the ball to the end zone, eluding several tacklers for a 48-yard touchdown. The score would tie the game 14-14 heading into halftime.
The second half saw a stalemate between both teams as adjustments by the coaching staffs allowed the defenses to be ready for the offenses. Lake Shore’s #34 Dallas Brown and #84 Craig Jenkins made crucial tackles for big losses for the Warriors. While #33 Zarek Turner pressured the quarterback and registered a big sack for Highlands to stop a Lake Shore drive. Beafort would also get in on defense when he secured an interception in the second half. Yet both team’s effort’s would yield 0 points in the second half setting the championship game up for overtime.
In overtime, Lake Shore would win the toss and elect to play defense first. Highlands would put the pressure on them quickly when De’Shyh Beafort raced around the left side for the touchdown. The failed conversion kept the score at 20-14.
Lake Shore wasn’t so fortunate on their overtime drive. First they would have a bad snap which was recovered by Highlands however the ball was blown dead by a illegal procedure penalty on the Warriors. The flag would save Lake Shore for the moment, giving them four cracks at the end zone. However Highland’s defense would stop them three consecutive times, setting up a game deciding fourth down play. On fourth down, Lake Shore quarterback #4 Jeremiah Jones would throw a quick wide receiver screen to Pender who scored the first touchdown for Lake Shore. Pender eluded tacklers and followed his blocks to what seemed to be a possible game tying touchdown, however Highland’s safety #4 Kevin Young would tackle Pender on the 6 inch line to end the game and start the celebration for Highlands.
Beafort was named game MVP as he scored three touchdowns and secured an interception in the game. His mammoth plays lifted a team who got mammoth performances all year long from several play makers. Congratulations to the Highlands Wildcats, the 2018 Duval County Middle School Football Champions.
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