Northeast Fl- Seven is the biblical number of completion. So every Sunday, we’ll highlight our 7 Takes from a particular game that we covered during the week. These “7 Takes” make up a complete game summary, highlighting key factors that led to the outcome. Our first comlete game we provide 7-Takes from is Fletcher (0-1) at Mandarin(1-0)
Take 1
Head Coach Toby Bullock coached Mandarin’s offensive line under former head coach Bobby Ramsay. So it should’ve been no surprise that he chose to run the ball against Fletcher. What was surprising though, is that he chose to start the game with quarterback Tramell Jones (FSU commit) on the bench. That surprised everyone in attendance, including Fletcher, as Mandarin chose a run-heavy look to ground and pound the Senators behind the Mustang’s offensive line. Running backs Deshard Wescott and Tiant Wyche would field direct snaps, following blocks by University of Miami commit Deryc Plazz and company. Both backs would score for the Mustangs.
Take 2
2024 running back Tiant Wyche is not one of the highly recruited running backs from the area, but maybe he should be. The 5 feet 8, 178-pound Wyche made his case on the field Friday night, rushing for 3 touchdowns (1-yard, 1-yard, 10-yards). He’s the type of running-back that programs are choosing to carry the load. Elusive and effective behind big offensive linemen, whom linebackers can’t find. More colleges need to give him a look.
Take 3
Fletcher’s quarterack Marcelis Tate ( USF commit) and wide receiver Troy Hillman Jr have an early connection. Hillman was at Sandalwood for high school media day in late July, but by the first practice of fall he was dawning purple. In just two weeks, these two have developed a rapport that saw them hook up for 6 catches and 2 touchdowns versus Mandarin in week 1. Hillman in particular made quite possibly the catch of the game, catching a jump ball touchdown over a 3-star power 5 commit. Hillman is the most underrated wide receiver in Northeast Florida.
Take 4
5-star Alabama commit Jaime Ffrench Jr didn’t receive many targets due to Mandarin’s game plan. But he and his fellow receiving core showed that they can target corners if they dont get the ball. One of the main reasons Mandarin was able to run the ball so effectively is due to the down field blocking by Ffrench and company. They still put in solid work as Ffrench caught two beautiful passes to set up scores. While wide receiver Willem Griego was rewarded for his efforts, by catching a touchdown pass from Tramell Jones.
Take 5
Fletcher will always be in games thanks to quarterback Marcelis Tate. Trailing 22-6 in the second quarter, and Mandarin having all the momentum, Tate was helped off the field after suffering an apparent injury. However, Tate would return to the field and on his first play back threw a touchdown to Hillman. Later in the game trailing 29-14 and facing 4th down, Tate would find Hillman again for a touchdown pass. Tate performs when the pressure is packed.
Take 6
Mandarin’s no fly zone was in full-effect. 2024 lock-down corner, and 4-star Penn State commit Jon Mitchell had two touchdown saving PBU’s and an interception. Antnoine Belgrave-Shorter (Penn State commit) was instrumental in holding Fletcher’s number one receiver Anthony Vaglienti in check. Behind them was new comer Hylton “Drake” Stubbs from Oakleaf, who is a 4-star recruit and currently ranked the #7 safety in the country for 2025. Stubbs had an interception in the game, and is a hard hitting safety that showed why schools like Alabama, Florida, and Florida State are high on him.
Take 7
Mandarin blew the game open by capitalizing on Fletcher’s mistakes, the sign of a good team. This was the difference in a game with two very talented rosters. As long as the Beach Rats shore up the execution, they’re going to be one of the best teams in the area. They visit Chiles (Tallahassee Fl) next week.
Mandarin was already the best team in the area on paper, but needed this type of performance to validate the hype on the field. Now, the challenge for them is rising to the occassion every week going forward, as every team will bring their best when facing the Mustangs. Next up for Mandarin is Bolles.
Photos by Will Brown
