Mandarin- Both Mandarin and Mayport had tall orders on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the week they were preparing to play two different teams. #3 Mandarin thought they would be playing #2 Stilwell Middle for an opportunity to play in the Duval County Middle School Championship. #4 Mayport prepared to face #1 Ribault Middle in the first round of the playoffs. However, Ribault Middle was disqualified during the week, setting up an unprecedented scenario, one the DCPS Middle School Championship Series has never seen. #2 Stilwell advanced to the championship, leaving Mandarin to face Mayport for the right to join them.
After a scoreless first half on the cold and blustery evening, both teams started to make moves after feeling each other out. Mayport would get the first big play of the half when #8 Jeremiah McGhee intercepted a pass to give the Sharks the ball at the Mandarin 40 yard line.
Mayport has been able to get big runs all year from running back #2 Khalil Blount. Blount made some nice runs in the game, finding little creases to move the ball down the field. Mandarin’s defense was stout however, not giving up the game breaking play. Blount broke a long run down the sideline but a shoe string tackle stopped a potential score.
Mayport dropped the ball literally, when the Sharks fumbled in their own territory in the 3rd quarter. The turnover set up the Hawks in great field position.
Mandarin would capitalize on the turnover when #27 Tiant Wyche would jet through the line and score the lone touchdown for the Hawks, as Mandarin took a 6-0 lead in the game.
In the fourth, Mandarin was able to get a few big runs in the game including ones by #25 Orlando Fiffer, who powered his way using size and speed to convert first downs. Mayport was able to get deep in Mandarin territory thanks to Ceasar Wiley runs. However a big stop by Joshua Frey and company stifled Mayport on 4th and goal. Mandarin would run out the clock and run toward a Duval County Middle School Championship Game.
The Hawks are set to face Stilwell in the middle school championship. Stilwell navigated a 6-1 regular season with wins big wins over rivals Lake Shore, JEB Stuart, and Jeff Davis. Their one loss coming at the hands of James Weldon Johnson almost locked them in a tie to end the regular season. However, James Weldon suffered two division losses, while Stilwell had the tie breaker over Lake Shore.
