MIDDLEBURG - With a fingertip touchdown grab from receiver Tatum Waugh, Clay High, despite two fourth down defensive stops by the Middleburg High defense, held to an 18-6 win Tuesday night at Middleburg High.
At Fleming Island High, the Golden Eagles held a 20-6 third quarter lead against Bartram Trail to the final whistle with quarterback Devyn Dudones throwing one score to wide out Emily Poucher, who also grabbed an interception, and also scoring on the run.
Dudones' scoring run was a 44 yard scamper.
At Middleburg, with both teams snagging interceptions through the night; one by Middleburg's Julie White that turned into a scorching 60 slant pass catch by freshman Payton Morton that saw Morton hit the turbo to outrun the Clay defense to paydirt.
Senior defensive back Kirra Dodson also had a circus interception that nearly turned into a 60 yard pick six for the Blue Devils.
Clay, quarterbacked by Cora Parker in place of injured quarterback Teagan Moses, was sharp downfield with Waugh and Dodson continually snaring quick passes and adding yardage after the catch. Charlotte Andrus, a 6'-2" target for Parker caught three key passes to keep the chains moving.
Clay running back Charlotte Glavin rumbled from the pocket for a few extra yards looking like a freight train let loose downfield.
Middleburg got four blocked passes from rusher Haven Lang who was in Parker's face most of the night hurrying her pocket passes.
In the final minutes of the game, White became a speed factor for the Middleburg offense with a handful of near breakaway runs.
For Clay, it was the combination of rushers Chloe Burke and Lily Kalil that kept Middleburg quarterback Rachel Hanson on the run.
Clay opened their season with a 31-0 win over Dunnellon while Fleming Island lost a 27-6 game to New Smyrna Beach.
At University Christian, the Oakleaf Lady Knights lost a 19-6 game.