Ponte Vedra Fl- It was a test for two different teams going into Monday night’s district clash between Middleburg and Ponte Vedra. Middleburg came into the contest undefeated at 6-0, but faced their toughest part of their schedule.
At 4-2 district favorites at season’s beginning Ponte Vedra, found themselves just one more loss away from possibly missing the playoffs entirely. A test of a team trying to stay undefeated, and a team trying to stay alive revealed an answer fairly quickly in the first quarter.
It was the Sharks of Ponte Vedra who jumped out to a 24 point lead at home versus Middleburg, thanks to their special teams. First a field goal put them ahead 3-0 with 4:49 to go in the first quarter. After a touchdown run by Brian Case increased their lead to 10-0, Ponte Vedra would block a punt which Robbie Grieco would recover for a touchdown.
Leading 17-0, Ponte Vedra would get another blocked punt which Talan Babin turned into a touchdown. The blocked punts came on consecutive possessions ballooning the lead to 24-0. Before you could blink, the Sharks had jumped out to a big first quarter lead, and looked like a team who had prepared and studied for their district test.
Middleburg would fight back into the contest when Jordan Williams caught a pass from quarterback Carson Stewart to get on the board 24-7. Joel Lowe would also catch a first half touchdown for the Broncos. The first half of points for Middleburg would end with Travis Pinkard rushing touchdown, as the Broncos were able to put up three first half scores.
The bad news for Middleburg, is that Ponte Vedra scored twice again on the ground before the half. Brian Case added a 2-yard touchdown to his 72-yard touchdown run earlier in the game. Jake Hilley would also score on an 11-yard touchdown as Ponte Vedra led at halftime 38-21.
Ponte Vedra would add touchdowns from Drew Price who hit a15-yard pass to Cam Tietze, and a touchdown run by Cole Rosendahl to go on to knock off Middleburg at home 52-21. Ponte Vedra improved to 5-2, and keeps their post season hopes alive. They will face Orange Park (2-5) Friday. Middleburg will try to bounce back visiting Beachside (5-2) on Friday.
Photos by: Heather Isbell
