JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rewind to November 15, 2019. The 7A Regional Semifinals game between Niceville and Fleming Island. Niceville came out on top 47-28.
December 4, 2020 in a Regional Final matchup, the Niceville Eagles (11-0) once again defeated the Fleming Island Golden Eagles (10-3). The final score 35-18.
Niceville came into the game with a head full of steam. About two and a half minutes into the game, Preston Murphy, junior DE/FB, intercepted a Fleming Island pass at the Golden Eagles 19-yard line. This led to Shawn Parker, senior RB, carrying the ball in for a TD. The Eagles were up 7-0 with 9:05 to play in the first quarter.
The Eagles would strike again with one minute to play in the first. Roland Clay, senior WR, slipped way behind the Golden Eagles defense for an easy TD run. The score after one, 14-0 Niceville.
Once again, it didn’t take long for the Eagles to get their offense going. Two minutes into the second quarter Trey Wainwright, senior QB, found Azareyeh Thomas, junior WR, running into the end zone. Thomas made the catch to put Niceville up 21-0. But he wasn’t through yet.
Thomas, on the same side as his previous touchdown, was thrown another pass from Wainwright and once again Thomas came through with the catch. The Eagles were now up 28-0 going into the half.
After being a facilitator all game, Wainwright decided to get in on the scoring action. Fleming Island fumbled their snap with 7:20 remaining in the third. Niceville lined up on the Golden Eagles 4 yard line. The play was called and Wainwright dove on top of the pile of Offensive Linemen to earn himself the final Niceville touchdown of the game. The score was now 35-0 Niceville.
The third quarter ended with a 42-yard FG from Fleming Island. Colt Hyams, senior K, completed the kick to bring the score to 35-3 Niceville heading into the final 12 minutes.
The fourth quarter showed the Fleming Island offense fans had seen all season long. With 7:30 to play Will Stephens, senior WR, was seen on the left side of the end zone. Kocak whipped a bullet pass into him and he caught it to bring the score to 35-10 Niceville.
The final TD of the game would come with just under a minute to play in the game. Sam Singleton, sophomore RB, ran into the end zone for a 33-yard TD. The final score 35-18 Niceville.
Next week is the battle of the Eagles. Niceville will be out seeking to avenge last season’s 28-20 Regional Finals lost to the Edgewater Eagles. The Niceville Eagles (11-0) will travel back home to welcome in the Edgewater Eagles (7-2), the 2019 7A State Runner-Ups. Game is set for next Friday, 12/11, at Niceville. Kick off is at 7:30pm.
