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Thomas pushes Broncos to first win

By Randy Lefko
Posted 10/26/17

JACKSONVILLE – Middleburg High junior tailback Andrew Thomas pushed for three touchdowns; one on defense, the other two on offense to be the focal point for the Broncos’ 26-0 district 4-6A win …

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Thomas pushes Broncos to first win


Posted

JACKSONVILLE – Middleburg High junior tailback Andrew Thomas pushed for three touchdowns; one on defense, the other two on offense to be the focal point for the Broncos’ 26-0 district 4-6A win over Englewood Tuesday night in a game postponed due to Hurricane Irma a month ago.

“With all that has happened to not just this team with a handful of injuries, but with the hurricane hitting us and affected many of the kids on the teams as far as whether they still had a home, I think they have shown some great character by continuing to play the game with all their heart,” said Bronco coach Karl Smeltzer. “In all my 27 years of coaching, I don’t think a team has had to go through what these guys have gone through and still want to play this game. A true testament to character.”

Against Englewood (1-7), also having a lackluster season under a new coaching regime, Middleburg got a chance to dominate on both sides of the ball with Thomas, junior quarterback Garrett Blanchett, senior wide out Malik Ally and senior linebacker Kodi Carrington, said Smeltzer, the four main guys keeping the locker room sane.

Thomas scored on runs of 27 and 20 yards on offense, then scooped up a fumble and carried it 80 yards to paydirt to fuel the Bronco scoreboard. Middleburg added a field goal in the first period.

“A lot of guys would have thrown the towel in and played a half of a game and if things were not going well, just call it in,” said Smeltzer. “I guarantee that if I still had the team that hit every practice over the summer and the Camp Blanding camp, we would be in far better shape. Injuries were the most damaging.”

Smeltzer noted that his Broncos had halftime leads in losses to Orange Park and Ed White and that his lack of depth has been a factor.

“When you only have 27 guys on the field, it’s tough,” said Smeltzer.

Not only has Middleburg (1-7) survived Smeltzer’s laundry list of obstacles, now they have 6A-powerhouse St. Augustine (7-0) as their next district 4-6A game in St. Augustine. Middleburg final game is against Bradford County on November 3.