St. Johns Fl- The Swiss Point Raiders reached the pinnacle of the St. Johns Middle School Athletic Association (SJMSAA), after upsetting Gamble Rogers 8-0 Wednesday night to once again be crowned champions. Swiss Point prevented a repeat by Gamble Rogers, and in the process won their first championship since 2017. The last time the Raiders won the SJMSAA championship, Bartram Trail all-time leading rusher AJ Jones led them to the title rushing for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jones is currently in his third year in college. That’s just how long it’s been.
This edition of the Raiders is a much different team. They aren’t led by the running back, they’re led by quarterback Knox Annis. In fact it was Annis who scored the only points of the championship game, when he took off around the right side, weaving his way around would be tacklers and lunging for the end-zone for the second quarter score.
Touchdown!! 6-0 end of the 1st quarter SJMSAA Championship! Swiss Point Raiders lead Gamble Rogers Stingrays ,2nd pic.twitter.com/Hrcz3vLtF9
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 15, 2023
Annis wasn’t done with the scoring, as he would take the quarterback power following the blocks of his offensive line, and 6 foot 3 fullback Asher Ghioto powering into the endzone for the score. Swiss Point went up 8-0 and that’s all they would need as the defense did the rest.
2-point conversion is good! 8-0 end of the 1st quarter SJMSAA Championship! Swiss Point Raiders lead Gamble Rogers Stingrays pic.twitter.com/QEOaNyv6uz
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 16, 2023
Defensive coordinator Jason Ghioto’s defense boasted some of the biggest players seen in recent history in the SJMSAA. Asher Ghioto anchored the defensive line at defensive end, and he and his teammates stuffed the Stingray run game all night. Jake Davis, a middle linebacker who led the way all season as a tackling machine was instrumental. As well as outside linebacker Carson Hemingway, a long rangy athlete that ball carriers couldn’t get around as Hemingway always made the play.
The defense’s signature play came late in the fourth quarter, when Gamble Rogers made one last attempt to potentially tie the game with a touchdown and 2-point conversion. Facing a 4th and 2, from the Swiss Point 10-yard line, Gamble Rogers attempted a pass, but pressure from the line forced an incomplete pass.
On 4th down Swiss Point stops Gamble Rogers. 2:10 to play Swiss up 8-0… 4th pic.twitter.com/WqvUTbdItv
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 15, 2023
Swiss Point would gain a first down on the ensuing play, and run the clock out to the elation of players, coaches, and the Swiss Point fans in the stands. It was a perfect example of a complete team win, as Swiss Point used a unique strategy to coast to victory.
After their first score in the second quarter of the game, the Raiders intentionally slowed the game down by running down the game clock before running their plays. Said head coach Brian Hemingway after the game “the boys were really good at understanding the game of football, understanding the rules and using that to our advantage”.
His decision to slow the game down on offense limited possessions by Gamble Rogers. Even though Swiss Point didn’t score again, they gained key first downs by Annis, and running back Kai Kinlaw to extend drives and run clock.
Kinlaw used his speed to get to the edge on offense to move the chains. He also played safety on defense patrolling the back end and playing from sideline to sideline preventing explosive plays. Kinlaw is new to the area, but he’s already made a name for himself coming from New Jersey. He’s another prime time athlete that will make a big impact at the next level. He plans to attend Bartram Trail.
Swiss Point won a 12-6 playoff semifinal over Pacetti Bay to advance to the Championship. They completed their best regular season in school history, going 5-1 on the season before advancing to the playoffs as the #2 seed. It was a special season for Coach Hemingway and Swiss Point, as the Raiders reclaim their rightful place as champions.
