Green Cove Springs- For both Clay and Orange Park, 2024 was not the season that they had anticipated. Yet Friday’s contest between the two long rivals meant bragging rights for one team and the season ending on a high note. That was enough to play hard for, and showcase lots of talent that is coming back next year for both teams.
Lavaris Roberts of Clay would get his team on the board with a 5-Yard rushing touchdown. Roberts has led the team all year passing for 1200 yards and 13 TDs. When given time, he likes to hook up with senior Antonio Thomas who led the team over 600 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns. Roberts went over the 1,000 yard rushing mark last night as well ending with 6 rushing scores in 2024.
Roberts as well as Nehemiah Bailey led the rushing attack. Although Bailey only played in 4 games, he amassed 200 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. They both return for Clay which are very bright spots, as Bailey brings an added dimension when he’s on the field.
The two talents followed their big offensive linemen like 6 foot 4, 300lbs senior Joshua Hetz. Hertz is a player to grab before signing day, he’s under the radar. As well as freshman Anson Bivins, who is already 6’2, 315lbs and is a big time player to watch the next three years.
The score pulled Clay to a tie with of Orange Park 7-7. However, the Raiders would pull ahead from that point and never look back. Dylon Ruiz and Damar Jackson led the rushing attack against Clay. The junior Ruiz will return next year as a bright spot, rushing for 400 yards on the season. Ruiz, Damar Jackson (senior), and Austee’n Mills (sophomore) have all been contributors on the ground for Orange Park.
On the season Orange Park was led in rushing by senior Quinton Moore, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and multiple touchdowns in 2024. Moore was called upon to come in and help his team at quarterback during the season, passing for over 200 yards.
Moore also was the leading receiver with over 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. He scored 2 TDs against local power Riverside this year. Truly a “Mr Everything” for the Raiders and he culminated a senior campaign against Clay in the endzone.
One of the premier players in Northeast Florida the last few years has been Gabe Taylor of Orange Park. Taylor unfortunately, was only able to play half of the season, but in that time Taylor amassed nearly 500 passing yards, and on Friday he added to his touchdown tally.
He completed two touchdown passes in the game, one to Ryder Fulmer for the final score of the game. Orange Park is a different team when he is in the lineup and it showed Friday night in the big offensive output.
On defense, Orange Park was relentless, holding Clay to just 7-points on the night. Senior Willie Ross led them in sacks this year (3) and Jack Rivera led them in tackles with 45. They registered two interceptions versus Clay, a unit that played with a lot of confidence on the night.
Sophomore Julian Still got his first pick of the season. He joined fellow sophomores Zachariah Murphy (1), and Jaden Fields(1), along with juniors Jack Rivera(2), Jayden Blanton (1), and senior Daniel Richardson (1), with interceptions giving Orange Park 8 total in 2024.
Clay surprisingly couldn’t get the offense going against Orange Park, yet their defense did secure an interception. Senior Jarvis Roberts finished with over 100 tackles for Clay. Senior Aaron Stacy had double digit sacks on the season (10), and sophomore Mikeise Battle had multiple interceptions on the year. Also junior J’vian Cobbert returns in the secondary, he an interception this season as well. Omar Goosby might be the most impressive looking player prospect at 6 foot 3 inches in height. The senior defensive end has offers from Webber and Keiser University.
Orange Park 33, Clay, 7, F pic.twitter.com/Qp1NjCD9gx
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 2, 2024
Both Clay and Orange Park ended their 2024 seasons at 3-7, as injuries plagued both clubs. They both have very talented players returning at key positions, which makes both teams optimistic in 2025. They are definitely two teams to keep an eye on next year as they prepare to get even better this off-season.
Photo Gallery by Heather Isbell
