GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Two outstanding high school flag football programs in Ridgeview and host Clay came together to play Thursday for the District 4-1A championship.
Starting the game Ridgeview had the ball first, but out of nowhere Brooklyn McClain came from the back field and twice pulled flags on the Panthers leaving them short on downs.
Throughout the night many of the Devils touchdowns were from Alexis Stillanou putting the first score on the board for Clay, then just like that another touchdown by the receiver for a 14-0 lead.
Ridgeview fought hard but couldn’t get any points up, as flags were pulled and the ball was close to endzone when it was intercepted by Ciara Zino.
Zino also played quarterback for the Blue Devils on many of the plays into the endzone, she also played defense for her team throughout the night.
Another touchdown by Abby Hawkins in the third quarter extended it to a 21-0 lead.
Chereece McEwan and Trenity Gilford fought hard to catch passes thrown by Ridgeview quarterback Brittany Sutton.
The Panthers defense rallied around pep talking each other about each play never giving up in the game.
Sutton throw a couple interceptions as well including one for a pick six to give Clay a 35-0 third quarter lead.
As the fourth quarter started, the Panthers (10-2) held on, but Zino ran all the way down the field scoring another touchdown for a 42-0 lead.
With the win, Clay won their third consecutive district championship and automatic berth into the state playoffs. The Blue Devils (12-0) will host Terry Parker on Thursday May 2 in the first round of the state playoffs.
To get to the championship game, both teams first had to win semifinal games on Tuesday.
In the first semifinal, No. 2 seed Ridgeview had little trouble with No. 3 seed Middleburg in a 27-0 win.
Jhattara Sampson, Destiny Alston and Trenity Gilford all scored touchdowns to give the Panthers a 20-0 second quarter lead.
As the third quarter began, Sutton ran it in for another score and Alston added the two point conversion for a 27-0 lead.
In the second semifinal, No. 1 seed Clay rallied from behind before taking control in a 32-12 win over No. 4 seed Orange Park.
Jacie Ankrom picked off a Clay pass and returned it for a touchdown to give Orange Park an early 6-0 lead.
Clay ran the ball with trick plays and coverage against the Raiders passing the ball to Skye Paradise and Alexis Silhor. A Blue Devils score gave them their first lead of the game at 7-6 late in the first quarter.
By the second quarter, both teams had settled back and forth with drop passes and quick downs.
Paradise scored on another touchdown to increase the lead to 20-6 just before half.
Quarterback Nayeli Williams found Caroline Hudgins for a touchdowns cutting the lead to 26-12 in the third quarter.
