Fleming Island Fl- It was a game that the Bolles Bulldogs circled as a measuring stick in an inaugural season of Flag Football at the school. Fleming Island, a perennial playoff team every year hosted Bolles, a new program riding a 3-game winning streak. The game proved to be a chess-match to which Bolles under Head Coach Isaac Smolko made the decisive move in the end.
Tied 0-0 in the fourth quarter, eighth grader Patricia Freeman was put deep for a punt return, something rarely seen in Flag Football. However, Freeman is truly something we haven’t seen in Flag Football in Northeast Florida. The talented young star fielded the punt and raced through the middle of the special teams of Fleming Island, all the way into scoring position.
Freeman would get her flagged pulled just before scoring, but would make up for it by catching a touchdown pass from fellow eighth grade quarterback Kayla Bliss to score the first points of a low scoring contest.
Bliss would show the crowd why she is also a talented young player to keep an eye on as she avoided the Eagle rusher to reset her feet and find teammate Margot Pedrick in the back of the end-zone for the conversion to put Bolles ahead 7-0.
Fleming Island would have an opportunity to score, but a deep pass was broken up by who-else but Freeman, as she starred on defense as well. Freeman would finish the game with several pass-break-ups, a long punt return, a touchdown reception, and even an interception.
Fleming Island had no answer for Freeman who made play after play when Fleming Island continued to throw her way. The Bolles defense has made everyone pay this season for underestimating them. Their 7-0 win over Fleming Island was their second shut-out of the season (Yulee 25-0).
Bolles has also defeated Creekside 32-6, and University Christian 7-6 who was also a playoff team last year like Fleming Island. It’s been an impressive start for the team, who is young, but hungry and confident.
That confidence comes from players like sophomore Jessica Denniston who locked down her area of the field. Lorena Clutter (junior) and senior Alexa Clutter who are team captains. Linebacker Gabrielle Alexander, and defensive back Elle Harris. All who combine to make plays and support their teammates under the direction of Head Coach Isaac Smolko.
Bolles did not shy away from competition as they face Mandarin, Sandalwood, Stanton, and Paxon, all teams who have advanced to the playoffs in recent years. However next, they’ll face another first year program in Nease (2-1). Their win over Fleming Island (1-2) proved that this team is already one of the best in the area, with their best still yet to come.
