Northside- Leading by a score of 12-6 in the fourth quarter with just over 5 minutes to play, Ribault Middle’s Naeem Burroughs awaited a Kirby Smith punt at his own 40-yard line. Burroughs, who had scored previously in the contest grabbed the bouncing ball and raised 60-yards down the sideline to the end-zone for the touchdown.
The score was the nail in the coffin as Ribault buried Kirby Smith in the Duval County Middle School Northern Division championship.
Both teams came out playing defense as. the score remained scoreless until the final minutes of the second quarter. That’s when A’Dron Walker too the sweep around the left side for the touchdown, putting Ribault Middle up 6-0 going into halftime.
In the second half the action picked up, beginning with the Comets defense when linebacker Aramis Pabon recovered a fumble and raced 60-yards for a touchdown. The scoop and score made tied the game at 6-6.
Ribault would respond when Naeem Burroughs took the handoff and cut hard toward the end-one for the short touchdown run. The Colts had responded very quickly with a score in the third quarter as they led 12-6.
In the fourth, more Kirby Smith defensive plays kept them in the game, as defensive back Richard Pooler intercepted a pass to keep the Comets spirits high.
Yet their offense just could not get through the Colts blue wall of defense. Led by defensive end Jeensy Smith and and defensive back Tyler Session, Ribault made plays all night.
Their defense didn’t give up a point to the high flying Comets, as Ribault got the victory on Monday Night Football 18-6.
Ribault will now go on to the Duval County Middle School Championship Playoffs. Seedings to be determined after other games are played.
The undefeated Colts are looking to return to championship glory after their last championship three years ago.
