Gainesville Fl- Visiting Ponte Vedra came into their contest with undefeated Buchholz (Gainesville) as big underdogs. However if the Sharks were going to shock the state they’d have to start fast and furious. They did that against Creekside in round one of the 4S FHSAA playoffs, scoring 28-uaswered points to start the game. On Friday night against Buchholz, they indeed started fast.
On the first drive of the game, Ponte Vedra senior Aiden Vancannon intercepted a pass on just the 4th play of the game and returned it 30-yards for a pick 6. The touchdown, reminiscent of the defensive touchdown last week against Creekside galvanized the sidelines and stunned the Gainesville crowd.
Senior Aiden Vancannon PICK6! Ponte Vedra leads 7-0 over Buchholz 9:58 , 1st WOW @PVSHARKSsports @PVSharksFB pic.twitter.com/bpHADrZdZW
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
Trailing 7-0, Buchholz responded furiously. Accustomed to starting fast, the Bobcats only need one play to flip the field position when running back Quinton Cutler took off up the middle for an apparent 70-yard touchdown. However, a penalty during the run nullified the touchdown and put the ball at the Pone Vedra 30-yard line. Buchholz would only get a field goal as the Shark’s defense held on 3rd down.
Quinton Cutler of Buchholz goes for a touchdown but an unnecessary roughness call takes the score away before he crosses the end zone! @cutler_quinton @BuchholzFB ball on @PVSharksFB 25-yd line Ponte Vedra 7 Buchholz 0, 1st pic.twitter.com/qYerq1B2WR
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
With another possession and leading, Ponte Vedra mounted a picture perfect drive drawn up in Steve Price’s meeting room. The drive took up all of the first quarter, as quarterback Ben Burk guided his team down the field with draw plays, and a big first down on a tush push. A screen pass. converted another first down as the Sharks threatened the Bobcat’s endzone.
Eventually, Ponte Vedra would prevail on the drive, when running back Brian Case took the hand off and raced around the right side for the touchdown. The drive took up 7:00 minutes of clock from the first and second quarters, keeping the high powered Bobcat offense on the sidelines, and putting Ponte Vedra up by two scores 14-3 in the second quarter.
Brian Case @BrianCasepvhs TOUCHDOWN!! Ponte Vedra extends the lead 14-3, with 11:53 to go 3rd! Long drive keeping the ball away from Buchholz! @PVSHARKSsports @PVSharksFB pic.twitter.com/a3BMYLM0mn
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
Ponte Vedra’s defense would step up again forcing a punt, however the Bobcat’s pinned the Sharks deep into t heir own territory. Still, the Sharks would make waves with when Burk would rush for a first down on a quarterback draw. However, there was holing called on the play which negated the first down and Ponte Vedra was forced to punt.
The short punt put Buchholz in great field position and they capitalized when Trace Johnson hit Justin Williams for a touchdown. The score was exactly what the Bobcat’s ordered, a game changing play that got them back into the game within one score 14-10 in the second quartier.
Justin Williams @Jstnw13 AGAIN! Touchdown Buchholz! Trace Johnson @Tracejohnson12_ for 70yds in first down! @BuchholzFB decides to dial up a long pass and it pays off! 24-14! Halftime! Ponte Vedra trails! pic.twitter.com/0RzHyvIjge
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
After another Bobcat stop on defense, their offense would get the ball back. That’s when Florida Gator commit Myles Graham showed on 4th down why he’s a difference maker on both defense and offense. He scored a touchdown on an overload left play for 30 yards to the house, giving the Bobcats the lead 17-14 in the second. Said Graham of his run “it was 4th and one, I was just trying to get the first down, I saw the inside clogged up, and I just bounced it to the outside, I give all the credit to my offensive line”.
4⭐️LB and Florida Gators commit Myles Graham on 4th down shows you why he's a difference maker on OFFENSE! Touchdown Buchholz! Overload left 30-yds to the house Bobcats lead 17-14, 2nd, 3:02 @MylesGraham2_ @BuchholzFB pic.twitter.com/SHNumrvEka
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
The Bobcats would add another touchdown to end the half, when Johnson hit Justin Williams again for another score. Williams would score two touchdowns in the game and was a major factor in the passing game for Buchholz. With weapons like Williams, Graham, and Michael Peterson Jr, Buchholz is hard to stop and can score points in a hurry.
Peterson would add a touchdown to the score in the third quarter for Buchholz as they extended the lead 31-14. The drive was set up by powerful quick running by Cutler who rushed ofr over 100-yards in the first half of the game.
Michael Peterson Jr Touchdown! @BuchholzFB leads 31-14, 3rd ,7:22 @Tracejohnson12_ with another touchdown pass! He's got 3 tonight! pic.twitter.com/2nzZrgL9xR
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
A late touchdown by Ponte Vedra’s Griffen Owen brought the Sharks to within two scores. A 67-yard pass from Ben Burk to Owen who eluded a tackler for the score. However, the onsides kick was unsuccessful, and the next drive for Ponte Vedra resulted in an interception by Amari Sheppard.
Ponte Vedra fans have been complaining of a horn in the Buchholz stands which they say is illegal to have. The Bobcats get an interception by Amari Sheppard and that's going to signal a horn from the scoreboard! Buchholz moves on defeating Ponte Vedra 34-21! pic.twitter.com/GfAzGB36nc
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 18, 2023
In the end, Buchholz remained undefeated advancing to 12-0 on the season. They’ll host Bartram Trail next week at Citizens Field in the State Regional Finals. Trace Johnson who tossed three touchdowns on the night said after the game of the slow start by the team, “you just gotta stay neutral, we did that, we came back and got it done”.
Ponte Vedra ends their season in the second round of the playoffs, a major accomplishment for the team at 8-4 on the season. Steve Price won district coach of the year, and the team improved their 5-5 record from last year. The program is moving up and in the right direction for next season.
