Jacksonville Fl- Tied 0-0 at the end of regulation, Paxon (7-1) and Ribault (1-8) would need an extra 6 downs to determine the winner. After the Paxon defense held Ribault out of the endzone on four straight downs, the Paxon offense would need just two rushing plays. The second, a handoff to running back Kenyon “the jet” Gardner who followed his blockers up the middle and emerged through daylight for the winning touchdown. Paxon took home the win 6-0.
It was a defensive battle all game, and Paxon’s defense stood up big on several occasions. In the second quarter, Ribault threatened to score from the Paxon 1-yard line, yet the Golden Eagle defense stuffed Ribault four times. Ke’shaun Pinkney-Rogers flew up from his defensive back position to provide pivotal run support. He made a touchdown saving tackle at the one yard line to stop Ribault’s Jaylen Francis from scoring.
Ribault inching closer to a score! They called this down at the 1-yard line. Score 0-0 vs Paxon pic.twitter.com/kbBV3aRTKN
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 25, 2024
That’s how close Ribault was to a potential game winning score, but they could not punch it in from the 1-yard line. Alfred Jiokeng made a crucial tackle for loss when Ribault’s quarterback Kaiyon Smith tried to get to the edge. Big Jonathan Holloway stuffed the middle at defensive tackle along with linebacker Diego Bocanegra, Peyton Anderson, Stephen Akita, and William Montelongo.
Paxon’s defense also forced turnovers. In the first half, a jarring hit by sophomore linebacker Javon Johnson switched field position in an instant, when Ribault completed a long pass down the field. Players like Johnson, who never came off the field embody the toughness and tenacity that Paxon has played with all year. This is the sixth team that Paxon has held under 14 points all year.
#10 Javon Johnson with the forced dunks to end the first half for Paxon's defense! pic.twitter.com/qIRbCvK5jy
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 25, 2024
Ribault was successful on a few explosive plays in the game to get into the redzone. They moved the ball at times into Paxon’s redzone. But when it mattered the most, Paxon wasn’t moved. In the second half Paxon held on four downs again and forced a missed field goal as the score remained 0-0.
Ribault Field Goal NO GOOD! Scoreless game still! Headed to the 4th! 0-0! Paxon defense has held twice in the redzone tonight pic.twitter.com/dAgiYyDfZh
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 26, 2024
Paxon’s offense struggled as well as Ribault’s defense played well. The Trojans would recover a fumble and return it 25-yards after Paxon threatened to score a second half touchdown. Ke’wan Smith and Destin Harrington flew up to make plays on the ball carriers. Arthur Williams would scoop up the fumble but was tackled before it could turn into a defensive score.
Paxon FUMBLE!!!! Ribault scoops and returns to 30-yard line Score 0-0! 4th 2:28 pic.twitter.com/WJgINfFBXQ
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 26, 2024
The plays were there to be made for Ribault, but they just couldn’t execute when it counted. In overtime, Ribault fumbled on their 4th down foal-line attempt. However, Paxon executed to perfection in overtime. There was no doubt who would get the ball, and the way Gardner ran, there was no doubt in his mind that his offensive line would get him across the goal-line.
