Fleming Island- Back in August when Fleming Island dismissed their head coach Chad Parker just days before the regular season started, not many would’ve picked the Golden Eagles to win their district. That’s in part due to the untimely departure of their leader, but also due to the fact that Fleming Island was coming off a season in which the team went 0-4 in the district in 2023.
Beachside vs Fleming island starts now! pic.twitter.com/YRKvzvh1TZ
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 14, 2024
Yet new head coach Derek Chipoletti has done a masterful job of keeping the team focused, and moving forward toward the season. And what a season it’s been. Going into Monday’s contest against upstart Beachside, the Golden Eagles were 2-0 in the district. A win over Beachside would put them in the driver seat for a district championship.
The first quarter saw Fleming Island step on the gas, and never throttle down. After going up 3-0 following a field goal by 4-star kicker Parker Sirdevan , Fleming Island marched down the field and senior quarterback Cibastian Broughton (Akron commit) scored on a short goal-line run to put his team up 10-0.
Cibastian Broughton takes control and rushes in at the goal line.
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 14, 2024
Eagles lead 10-0 with 3:41 left to play in the first. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/kmokYJZESv
After a stop on defense, running back Demhir Jackson would get into the action for Fleming Island. He’d scamper untouched up the middle scoring a touchdown on a short run. Jackson has rushed for 473 yards a 4 touchdowns on the season.
Demhir Jackson gets the ball and rushes in for a touchdown! Extra point no good.
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 14, 2024
30 seconds left in the first
Fleming Island- 16
Beachside- 0 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/D1wzlcRdmY
However, Beachside would not go away. Trailing 16-0 going into the 2nd quarter, the Barracudas would get on the board! Quarterback Eddie Jordan would complete a pass to Brennen Monaco for a touchdown, pulling Beachside to within two scores 16-7.
Barracuda’s are on the board!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 14, 2024
Eddie Jordan passes to Brennen Monaco for a touchdown!
Beachside- 7
Fleming- 16
8:50 left in the half @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/VoIhjVzF6g
Fleming Island would respond. Broughton would throw a beautiful pass to Tristan Stevenson for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter. It was Broughton’s second score of the game, one through the air and one on the ground, as Fleming Island took a commanding 23-10 lead into halftime.
Beachside has one of the most explosive offenses in Northeast Florida, yet on this night they couldn’t get one of the area’s leading passers Edward Jordan going. This was due in part to a Fleming Island defense that made Beachside drive the length of the field. The Barracudas couldn’t do it as drives stalled without points.
Fleming Island on the other hand, put together an 80-yard drive and a 91-yard drive before halftime. They’d add a 71-yard drive in the 3rd quarter as Cibastian Broughton connected with Oliver Piechota in the end zone as the Golden Eagles lead 30-10.
Cibastian Broughton passes to Oliver Piechota in the end zone!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 14, 2024
Eagles lead 30-10@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/Qnn5JegYSO
Cibastian Broughton would take off with a 95-yard rushing touchdown giving the Golden Eagles a lead of 37-10 with 58 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. With that score Broughton increased his numbers to 12 passing touchdowns and 9 rushing touchdowns on the year. Incredible stats for one of the best players Northeast Florida has seen.
Eddie Jordan passed to Maddox Hunstad for a Beachside touchdown, yet that would be all she wrote for them on this night. Trailing now 37-17 in the fourth quarter, the hole was too large for the Barracudas to dig themselves out of.
Eddie Jordan passes to Maddox Hunstad for a touchdown!
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 15, 2024
Beachside- 17
Fleming- 37
11:53 left in the game @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/nVDkUG7U89
Fleming Island’s Dehmir Jackson would close out the scoring on the evening with another rushing touchdown as the Golden Eagles defeated Beachside 44-17. No one saw a defeat like this coming. Yet Fleming Island is gaining confidence and playing inspired football. They’ll look to keep that same energy against Terry Parker who has won 3-straight games.
Another Demhir Jackson rushing touchdown! Eagles lead 44-17 with 7:13 left to go. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/p1iBfFvEk7
— Where’s Home Podcast (@WheresHomePod) October 15, 2024
Beachside is back to the drawing board. After dropping to 5-2 and 0-2 in the district, their district title hopes are slim if not over. Yet, they still can make the playoffs and have another big district battle against Middleburg Friday.
Photos by Chandler Dantzler (Where’s Home Podcast)
