JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “The Battle of the Coasts” is what fans titled the game between the First Coast Buccaneers (3-2) and the Atlantic Coast Stingrays (2-4).
But before the battle began the teams united on the field to honor the Stingrays Head Coach, Mike Montemayor’s, sister Milani. She was diagnosed with stage four Esophageal Cancer this past June.
First Coast defeated Atlantic Coast 21-16. This is the fifth year in a row the Buccaneers have won the matchup. The Bucs were led by junior Running Back, Jacob Corley. He rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns for his team.
Atlantic Coast came out the gate wasting no time getting a touchdown. Freshman Quarterback Baylor Hayes rushed into the end zone to put the Stingrays up 6-0. This would be the end of the first quarter score.
The Buccaneers quickly woke up in the second quarter when Corley ran in for his first touchdown of the night to tie the game at 6. But the Stingrays quickly responded with a field goal that put them up 9-6 with 9:40 left in the half.
The Bucs once again turned to Corley and he delivered. Taking the handoff from Noah Jones, senior Quarterback, and tip toeing along the sideline and into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night. Jalen Mack, senior Wide Receiver, completed the two point conversion to extends First Coast lead to 14-9 at the half.
The third quarter was a back and forth battle between the teams. No team could score until Jabari Mack, the senior Wide Receiver, found his way in the end zone to put the Bucs up 21-9 after three quarters of play.
Through majority of the fourth, it seemed as if First Coast was going to walk out with an easy victory. The Stingrays had other plans. Atlantic Coast’s defensive line applied lots of pressure onto the Bucs’ QB Jones. To avoid being sacked he threw a high pass down the sidelines right to senior Defensive Back, Jordyn Williams who caught it and gained a some yardage for Atlantic Coast.
Williams hard work did not go in vain. His team worked their way down the field and were rewarded with another touchdown with 2:18 left to play in the game.
Senior Wide Receiver Jordan Smith scored the touchdown and the extra point was good to bring the score to 21-16. But in the end the Stingrays ran out of time and fell to the Buccaneers at home.
Both teams will be in their respective homes next Friday. Atlantic Coast welcomes the Fleming Island Golden Eagles (5-1). While First Coast welcomes the Fletcher Senators (4-1). Both games kick off at 6 pm.
