Orange Park Fl- It was a back and forth contest in the first half of the Oakleaf versus Orange Park game Friday night. That’s until the Knights began to over-run the Raiders advances and take over the game leading to a 42-21 victory in the season opener.
Walter Simmons III tossed four touchdown passes and ran for one as Oakleaf’s offense could not be stopped. He hooked up with
running-back Adrian Grey on a short reception for the game’s first touchdown.
The Oakleaf touchdown was set up by a 32 yard pass to Terrance Anthony putting Oakleaf in great field position. Yet Orange Park would respond, when track star Alex Collier sped to the end-zone just minutes later in the first quarter to tie the game at 7 all.
A field goal by Oakleaf’s Damian Rogers gave the Knights the 10-7 lead in the second quarter as the Knights continued to move the ball at will. Simmons hit Anthony on a spectacular 52-yard pass play on the drive, continuing his areal assault.
The middle of the second quarter saw both offenses hit a wall. However with close to three minutes remaining in the quarter, Orange Park quarterback Vinney Walker hit his wide receiver Deigo Soto for a touchdown to the eruption of the home crowd. Orange Park led rival Oakleaf 14-10.
The Raider’s wouldn’t keep the lead long. Oakleaf marched down the field with a mix of run and pass culminating in a beautiful pin point pass from Simmons to wide receiver Terrance Anthony for a touchdown. The exceptional play gave Oakleaf a lead that they’d never relinquish.
In the third, the Knights stormed the Raiders with its offensive arsenal lead by Simmons. First he ran for a short touchdown. Then he threw for two more touchdowns in the second half as Oakleaf ran away and never looked back.
What should not be overlooked is the Oakleaf defense that stepped up in the second half. Defensive tackle Gerjuan Brown recovered a fumble in the second half preventing Orange Park’s offense from responding. They also made key stops in the second half to change the flow of the close first half.
Yet make no mistake this was an offensive explosion for the Knights. Simmons passed for 291 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. While Terrance Anthony caught 5 balls for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.
With 401 yards of total offense Oakleaf exploded out of the gate with a mixture of pass and run. Freshman running-back and Duval Sports Top 50 athlete Devin Outlaw scored a touchdown in the game as well.
Orange Park is improving, and their effort Friday night proved this. Collier finished with 105 all purpose yards and a touchdown. And defensively, defensive end Kendy Charles led all tacklers with 12.
Oakleaf (1-0) now looks ahead to Columbia (1-0) who comes to town. The Tigers are riding high after a big win over Trinity Christian (0-1) last week. Oakleaf, who played without University of Miami commits Jalen Rivers and Chantz Williams look to have them back for the big match up.
