Clay- Strong playoff wins would send both Oakleaf Junior High and Bradford Junior High back to the NEFAC Football Junior High Championship for a rematch this week. Led by quarterback Brandon Wallace and wide receiver James Kitchen, Oakleaf Junior High would defeat Wilkinson Junior High 22-12 in a playoff victory to secure a spot. Bradford Junior High’s fourth quarter comeback win over Baker County Junior High afforded the Tornadoes the opportunity to once again defend their Championship Title.
Bradford’s Coach James McNeal said, “We know who we are. We stayed true to our game, the boys are disciplined and they wanted to win. Bradford is here to stay”.
Bradford’s arrival to Oakleaf High School prompted the beginning of the Championship rematch. Prior season’s animosity and new found confidence trickled throughout the first quarter as the Tornadoes and Yellow Jackets battled back and forth while key defensive plays toppled both offenses ending the first quarter scoreless at 0-0.
The second quarter began with big tackles by Yellow Jackets’ Mason Carter who ascended upon the Tornadoes offense disrupting runs. Quarterback Dae’Jon Shanks touchdown pass to Chalil Cummings would put the Bradford ball into motion as Cummings’ touchdown triggered the first score of the game.
McNeal’s decision to run the two point conversion would prove to be successful as Cummings carried the ball across the goal line beginning the early 8-0 lead over Oakleaf as 5:07 remained in the quarter. While the Yellow Jackets attempts to score were met with much opposition, the first half of the game would end 8-0 as Bradford maintained the lead.
Bradford would receive the ball once again going into the third quarter after the Oakleaf kickoff. Fans later witnessed a tug of war during the beginning of the third as the teams took turns handing over possession of the ball. After a fake punt, Shanks threw a pass to Torin Brazell obtaining the Tornadoes first down but triggered the rain as it began to pour down on the field.
The weather seemed to intensify the game. The Yellow Jackets intercepted the ball on the next play with anticipations of making their next offensive move. Coincidentally, quarterback Brandon Wallace’s throw was intercepted by Brazell . After regaining possession of the ball, Shanks would connect a pass to Brazell scoring a Tornado touchdown to end the third quarter leading 14-0.
Brave runs by Kitchens and smart passes by Wallace were valiant but prove to be less than effective for Oakleaf against the ravishing Bradford defense. The Yellow Jackets failed to score in the fourth submitting to their worthy opponent a second NEFAC football Junior High Championship win.
After their NEFAC championship two years ago, Oakleaf has found themselves in second place in consecutive years. Still, another clay county championship cements them as a successful season.
Bradford’s quarterback Dae’Jon Shanks said, “We came out hard tonight because we knew that everyone was looking at us because of last year’s Championship win”. The Tornadoes went hard the entire season earning a record of 6-1. Bradford’s dominating presence has resonated throughout Northeast Florida as they cemented their stay in the NEFAC as back to back champs.
