St. Augustine Fl- The weather delayed several games on Friday night, including the one scheduled to start at 7pm between the Bishop Kenny Crusaders and the Tocoi Creek Toros. While other games in St. John’s County were canceled, this one was not, instead starting at 8pm.
Yet Tocoi Creek might’ve wanted the game to have been postponed, as Bishop Kenny ran them out of their own stadium. The Crusaders scored four touchdowns on the ground, and completely pounded the Toros defensive line into submission. scores by Jelani Dawkins and Derek Heideman in the second half, sealed the win. When it was all said and done, BK bulled over the Toros 35-6 to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Player of the Game:
That goes to sophomore Caleb Mattison who rushed for two touchdowns in the game. Mattison was given the ball early and often as he moved the pile for first downs. His hard running punished tacklers, and by the second half Tocoi Creek didn’t want to tackle him. This 54-yard scamper put the game out of reach right after halftime.
Caleb Mattison AGAIN!!! Touchdown Bishop Kenny! His second of the game! 55yds! It's 21-0! Crusaders pouring it on as the rain has stoped! 3rd ,10:03 pic.twitter.com/Rjixo59yxt
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 7, 2024
Punishing Hits:
Bishop Kenny’s defense laid the wood on Tocoi Creek. Every time a Toro ball carrier would seem to have day light, the alley would close with a thunderous knock to the sound of pads and helmets. They also pressured Tocoi when they were forced to pass the ball. James Davis III a 6’2, 205lbs edge rusher was one of the players in the back field all night long for Kenny. Gunnar Rogers and Aiden Piper plugged holes, preventing any momentum from Tocoi Creek.
Big Play Second Quarter:
Bishop Kenny set up their second score of the game by executing big plays in the passing game in the second quarter. Already leading 7-0, thanks to a Mattison touchdown run, quarterback Derek Heideman found JP Donovan for a long gain down the middle. Heideman would go back to his sure-handed receiver with just seconds remaining in the half as Heideman threw the fade to Donovan who came down with the score to put the Crusaders up 14-0 going into halftime.
Bishop Kenny QB Derek Heideman lofted a perfect pass to JP Donovan twice in the first half! First one was down the middle! Second one was with no time left on the clock for a Touchdown!! 14-0! @jpdonovan81 pic.twitter.com/bgpS9URats
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 7, 2024
Missing Piece:
Tocoi Creek is missing their top wide receiver Julio Santiago and it showed. Without someone to stretch the field, or make plays in space, Tocoi struggled to reach the end-zone. The Toros have been without him all season, but still managed to generate enough offense against First Coast and Westside high schools to win their first two games. Not the case against a fired up and physical Bishop Kenny squad who forced several punts and 3 and outs.
Outlook:
For Tocoi Creek, this seemed like the year they would finally get a win in the series as the teams have played several times the last few years. It would not be the case. They must regroup quickly because the hardest portion of their schedule begins after a bout against Clay next week.
Bishop Kenny has started the season very strong with two 40-point wins against Matanzas and Episcopal. They added a 30-point victory over Tocoi tonight in a dominating fashion. Now they turn their sights toward their annual match-up against Bolles next week.
