Englewood HS- It’s the year of the Comets, as Springfield Middle School wins it’s first ever Duval County Middle School Championship. Springfield defeated Lake Shore Middle 24-6 on Tuesday night, to conclude the 2023 middle school football season not only in Duval County, but in all Northeast Florida. Fittingly, it was Springfield that ended it, the most talented team the area has seen this year.
It starts with quarterback Sa’mon Morgan-Ellison for Springfield. All year he has been their dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball as he plays defensive end as well. In the championship game, Ellison would score the first points of the game on a short touchdown run up the middle. He’d add a 2-point conversion to make the score 8-0 in the first quarter.
The score was set up by a long pass from Ellison to Quincy Matthews which put them deep into the red-zone. Adams stepped up big in the game, as in the third quarter coaches called his number again on a running back flair route that was wide open for a big first down in the game.
Lake Shore played incredibly hard and tough on the evening. Especially considering the events that occurred at the beginning of the game. One of their quarterbacks was seriously injured in the first quarter, as a long stoppage of play ensued. Paramedics were called to transport the injured player to the hospital.
That seemed to take the air out of the sails of the Warriors. Yet, they still managed to put together a nice 2nd quarter drive. Steady runs by #2 Brian Branch which ended in a short touchdown run by #8 Rajon Riley brought life to the Warriors. The 2-point conversion was no good however, and Lake Shore trailed Springfield 8-6. It would be all Springfield for the rest for the game.
Before halftime, Springfield would drive down the field again. Ellison hooked up with wide receiver Trevon Gelsey for several catches in the game. The drive would culminate in a score by Ellison on a Jalen Hurts-like “tush push”. Springfield executed it to perfection, as the Comets extended their lead to 15-6. Ellison was named MVP of the game, rushing for two touchdowns and passing for another.
Touchdown Springfield! They lead 15-6 with the 2-point conversion to come! pic.twitter.com/XddA6jj69i
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 22, 2023
The 2-point conversion was crucial at this juncture, as it made the difference from a potential one score or two score game. Lake Shore sold out to try to stop the play, however, Springfield wanted it more on the play. A sweep to the left looked to be stopped by the defender, but an extra lunge by Chris Williams put the ball over the plane of the goal-line for a score. Springfield took a 16-6 lead into halftime.
The 2-point conversion is good! Springfield leads 16-6, 2nd over Lake Shore Duval County Middle School Championship pic.twitter.com/rr9kmTsz2W
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 22, 2023
In the second half, Lake Shore would show the grit that made them champions last year, and that got them to the title game again this year. Even with several injuries this year, Coach Joe Delaune has adjusted his offense drastically to get the best out of his personnel. Against Springfield, he was forced to turn a spread offense into a power offense, using lots of quarterback powers and running back dive plays up the middle. They gained several first down on their third quarter drive eating up lots of clock.
However, in the redzone, Springfield would stiffen and force a turnover on downs. The Comets defense, possessed several athletic players with long range that prevented runs to the outside. They also shut down the air, making Lake Shore one dimensional in the game.
Springfield stops Lake Shore Again! Leading 16-6, 5:00 to go! Time running out for the defending champs pic.twitter.com/gqDQgPzVlt
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 22, 2023
In the fourth quarter, Springfield would seal the deal as they’d done all year. quarterback Sa’mon Morgan-Ellison found Quodre Rolack for a long 30-yard touchdown putting the game out of reach. The two had hooked up all year, including a similar play against Mandarin in their first round playoff game. Spring field dialed it up and their players answered the call.
Head Coach Chuck Brown was an instrumental part of Ribault Middle’s championship coaching staff. He brought that same championship attitude over to Springfield as a head coach, and made history by bringing a championship to the school for the first time in the DCPS Middle School Championship series which started in 2014. Said Brown after the game of what he brought over from the Ribault championship culture, “defense, that’s been our motto, we have a great group of kids who listen, and our coaching staff has been working hard, it feels good right now”– Chuck Brown .
Springfield finished their season 11-0, their first ever perfect season. Yet as all comets do in the universe, look for the Springfield comets to return next year to defend their title as several key players return. A young talented team that’s shooting for the stars. Congratulations to Springfield, the 2023 Duval County Middle School Football Champions.
