{"id":67371,"date":"2025-08-30T02:37:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T06:37:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/?p=67371"},"modified":"2025-09-03T18:10:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T22:10:48","slug":"fleming-islands-resilience-shifts-momentum-lifts-them-over-riverside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/?p=67371","title":{"rendered":"Fleming Island&#8217;s Resilience Shifts Momentum, Lifts Them Over Riverside"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Fleming Island Fl-The Fleming Island Golden Eagles defended their home turf in dramatic fashion Friday night, pulling out a <strong>42-33 victory over Riverside<\/strong> in a back-and-forth contest that showcased explosive plays, standout performances, and plenty of big-game energy. Fleming Island would prove they could answer scores with scores early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- Top Banner Ad -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"5209897134\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Riverside opened the night with a spark as the Generals ripped off a 50-yard kickoff return by <strong>Derayl Gathers<\/strong> to set up the Generals in excellent field position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8049.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8049.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67378\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> Quarterback <strong>Jaidan Delaune<\/strong>, already establishing himself as one of the area\u2019s most dynamic dual-threats, finished the drive with a <strong>30-yard touchdown run<\/strong>, giving Riverside a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jaidan Delaune <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JayJayQB1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@JayJayQB1<\/a> Rouchdown Riverside!!! 7-0 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pri2MLcvjF\">pic.twitter.com\/pri2MLcvjF<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961567565823574363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Fleming Island answered behind running back <strong>Sebastian Cruz<\/strong>, who capped a steady drive with a touchdown run to tie the game at 7\u20137. The Golden Eagles then struck again when <strong>Zion Longmire<\/strong> broke free for a long touchdown run, giving Fleming Island a <strong>14\u20137 lead at the end of the first<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sebastian Cruz Touchdown!!! Fleming Island with a beautiful drive! Ties it up 3:38, 1st 7-7 vs Riverside! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sebastiancblife?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@sebastiancblife<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TZZw9DIBbN\">pic.twitter.com\/TZZw9DIBbN<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961571362809491807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The Golden Eagles extended their advantage early in the second quarter when quarterback <strong>Eric Gentry<\/strong> connected on a screen pass to <strong>Tristan Stevenson<\/strong>, who weaved his way through traffic for a touchdown to make it 21\u20137.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Tristan Stevenson takes the Eric Gentry <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/eric_gentry16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@eric_gentry16<\/a> screen pass to the house! Fleming Island extends the lead to 21-0 over Riverside 2nd <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/imeAhbsCoK\">pic.twitter.com\/imeAhbsCoK<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961580398095601936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p> Riverside stayed alive thanks to Delaune, who engineered a sharp drive highlighted by an acrobatic diving catch from<strong> Derrick Bridges Jr<\/strong>. Delaune punched it in himself for his <strong>second rushing score of the half<\/strong>, trimming the deficit to 21\u201313 at halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jaidan Delaune drives Riverside down field on the ground and through the air for a touchdown!! He took it himself for the score! Riverside PAT no good! They trail 21-13 to Fleming Island Halftime! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JayJayQB1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@JayJayQB1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Kkrieulunr\">pic.twitter.com\/Kkrieulunr<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961586414757302720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>In the third quarter, Fleming Island\u2019s screen game continued to shine as <strong>Noah Volten<\/strong> turned another short pass from Gentry into six points, extending the lead to 28\u201313. But Delaune refused to let Riverside fade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Noah Volten Touchdown!!! Fleming Island <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/eric_gentry16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@eric_gentry16<\/a> working the screen tonight to perfection! They lead Riverside 28-13, 3rd 8:34 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZY15MwFiIr\">pic.twitter.com\/ZY15MwFiIr<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961589093219156020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The 6\u20192\u201d, 190-pound junior ripped off his <strong>third rushing touchdown<\/strong> of the night in the fourth quarter, then later found Bridges for a clutch red-zone score after another long <strong>Derayl Gathers <\/strong>run, pulling the Generals within <strong>28\u201325 with just over four minutes left<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"1168296494\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s when Fleming Island responded with the knockout blows. On the very next drive, Gentry lofted a deep ball to Stevenson for a <strong>65-yard touchdown bomb<\/strong>, pushing the lead to 35\u201325. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">On the ensuing drive Eric Gentry <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/eric_gentry16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@eric_gentry16<\/a> tosses a beautiful bomb to Tristan Stevenson for 65- yard TOUCHDOWN!!! What a game! Fleming Island responds to Riverside leading 35-25, 3:18 4th <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FIEagleSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FIEagleSports<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QWYQ1eReFN\">pic.twitter.com\/QWYQ1eReFN<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961601122549874900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Moments later, defensive back <strong>Chase Donaldson<\/strong> sealed the victory with a <strong>pick-six<\/strong>, giving the Golden Eagles a commanding 42\u201325 lead. Riverside added a late score, but Fleming Island closed out the 42\u201333 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">PICK 6!!!! Fleming Island&#39;s Chase Donaldson puts the game away!!! 42-25 over Riverside! Less than a minute to play!! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tW1MGjRqQl\">pic.twitter.com\/tW1MGjRqQl<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961606709798973739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Defensively, Syracuse commit <strong>Jarius Rodgers<\/strong> turned heads with his ability to set the edge and deliver the hit of the night, forcing a crucial fumble to halt Riverside\u2019s comeback hopes. Said Rodgers after the game &#8220;it&#8217;s just about being an athlete and making big plays, once I saw the ball I made the hit and knocked the ball out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jarius Rodgers 6&#39;5, 190lbs Edge For Fleming Island shows why college coaches love his length! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DuvalSports<\/a><br> He&#39;s committed to Syracuse! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/B2Rnj2m8wf\">pic.twitter.com\/B2Rnj2m8wf<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Andre&#39; Ellis (@andreellis55) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/andreellis55\/status\/1961584010921910562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Both teams ironically were hit hard by key transfers leaving after last season, and after spring football this year. Fleming Island&#8217;s former star <strong>Trace Burney<\/strong> (James Madison commit) jettisoned for Oakleaf, while Riverside lost serval key starters on the offensive and defensive lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"8472071445\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- in article ad 3 -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"5462764724\"\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, both teams showed that they have playmakers on the field like Riverside&#8217;s<strong> Derrick Bridges Jr<\/strong>, <strong>Jaidan Delaune<\/strong>, <strong>Ronald Williams<\/strong>, <strong>Derayl Gathers<\/strong>, and <strong>Devin Brunson<\/strong>. For Riverside, Delaune\u2019s <strong>four total touchdowns<\/strong> and Bridge&#8217;s highlight-reel catches proved they\u2019re a team to watch moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8138.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8138.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67387\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For Fleming Island, it was a complete team effort, with <strong>Eric<\/strong> <strong>Gentry<\/strong>, <strong>Tristan<\/strong> <strong>Stevenson<\/strong>, <strong>Sebastian<\/strong> <strong>Cruz<\/strong>, <strong>Jarius Rodgers<\/strong>, and <strong>Zion Longmire <\/strong>leading the way. Head Coach Tom McPherson has done a great job preparing his team for every scenario and every opponent. They&#8217;re ability to respond with a deep shot when their backs were against the wall showed readiness and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Zion Longmire what a run!! Touchdown Golden Eagles! They take the lead vs Riverside 14-7 .. End of first! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QfogbKnz1q\">pic.twitter.com\/QfogbKnz1q<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DuvalSports\/status\/1961574879469212087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Riverside falls to 0-2 and faces Orange Park (1-1) next week. While Fleming Island improves to 2-0 and will take on rival Oakleaf next week on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1015600893445815\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"7447185841\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fleming Island Fl-The Fleming Island Golden Eagles defended their home turf in dramatic fashion Friday night, pulling out a 42-33 victory over Riverside in a back-and-forth contest that showcased explosive plays, standout performances, and plenty of big-game energy. Fleming Island would prove they could answer scores with scores early on. Riverside opened the night with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67372,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[225,287,69,841,303],"class_list":["post-67371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-high-school","category-top-stories","tag-fleming-island","tag-football","tag-high-school-2","tag-riverside","tag-top-stories"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_8117-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=67371"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67478,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67371\/revisions\/67478"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/67372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=67371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=67371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duvalsports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=67371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}