JACKSONVILLE - In a cool show of team pride and discipline, Fleming Island High football players at the Baker Media Sports Day in Jacksonville on Wednesday, did not “poke the bear” when asked about the revitalized Friday night (August 27) season opener for both school.

“It is what it is; a big rivalry, a big game,” said Fleming Island defensive back Joseph Stephens, who ventured into the rivalry with senior teammates Ricky Joseph (defensive line), Jordan Hurse (fullback), Dedric Walker (defensive back) and Caleb Jones (wide receiver). “You know it’s always the biggest game in Clay County. We going to come ready.”

For Clay coach Kyle Kennard, his turnaround season last year from a 1-9 to an 11-2 finish last year, was without the opener against Fleming Island last year due to the COVID.

“They thumped us the past couple of years, so we want to try and change that,” said Kennard, who was a defensive coach for Fleming Island before getting to Clay, then being named head coach last year. “We had a good run, but that is one of the best rivalry games anywhere in the country.”

The high-octane game will feature the two top running backs in Florida, by some measure, in Fleming Island High junior Sam Singleton, recently invited to play in the 2022 All American Bowl on January 8 in San Antonio, and Al’Querious Ray, who punched his clock for nearly 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.

“If you watch his film, he’s fast, strong and shifts and cuts extremely well,” said Springs of his guy Singleton. “Plus he is the only guy invited to an All American Bowl.”

For Ray, business as usual behind his stout offensive line of three key returners, will be how the Blue Devils attack Fleming Island.

“It’s great to have a guy like him that only needs a little space to blast through,” said senior tackle Desiorn Gantt. “We know it’s on us to set him up.”

From around the county, comments included, from Ridgeview, with Gavin McCormack noting the strength of the Panthers front line defense with power weightlifters Steven Collier, Prince Savea and Derrick Mosley being led by coach Steve Creech.

At Clay High, where and encore performance from coach Kyle Kennard is expected, the Blue Devils will go with yet another strong offensive line; led by senior Desiron Gantt, who sees tradition returning to Clay High Stadium.

“We have a former Clay High great offensive lineman Jarrod Leeds as our coach,” said Gantt. “He knows a lot of the little things to being a dominant offensive lineman.”

Orange Park had all state tight end Maliek Carter talking about the “clicking” of the team under Tom Macpherson.

“We had a very young team last year, but we built chemistry to finish in the playoffs,” said Carter. “Me and Cam Griffieth with Brian Green and Nolan Chambers give us some exciting players.”

For St. Johns Country Day School, junior Jack Moonihan and senior Josiah Jones were all about the multifaceted nature of the 8-man football look of Spartan football.

“The scheme is just as physical as 11-man football; still block, still tackle,” said coach Rocky Bantag. “It’s definitely doable. We’re trying to be a power run team.”

Oakleaf, without four year quarterback Walter Simmons at the helm, will look to a bunch of new faces, but returning tight end Isaiah Schevchook is a tough, strong playmaker for coach Frank Garis.

“I’m a tight end kind of X-back type player,” said Shevchook.”Running back is Devin Outlaw and Mike Brannen both like to run over people. Devin is the breakaway if he gets away.”

Middleburg High’s Broncos will offer the biggest question mark for the season with a new offensive-minded coach in Ryan Wolfe.

“Practices are way harder, but very productive,” said Donovan Wimberly, a defensive tackle. “We are way better at this point. Eleven hats to the ball.”

Keystone Heights big man Luke Snider likes Keystone Heights simple attack.

“We got four guys that run the ball; Kade Sanders, Logan Williams, Tyler Jenkins and Dalton Hollingsworth,” said Snider. “We don’t know who is quarterback. We’re just going to hammer up front all night.”