GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay High’s run game has been the bread and butter for the Blue Devils attack in the past decade and, after a error-filled first series, the Clay machine, led by 210-pound tailback Al’Querious Ray, started to rev up against the Blue Devil defense in the first intra-squad scrimmage of the summer preparations.

“Things are going good,” said Clay head football coach John Stilianou, who replaced long-time coach Joshua Hoekstra, now at Bolles. “There is not a lot to change because I’m not inheriting a program that was terrible. The foundation is here. We might add a wrinkle or two.”

Ray and backfield mate Jeremy Sims, himself a lethal 5’-8”, 210 pound ballcarrier, rumbled on the third offensive series, with Stilianou throwing in speedy Brandon Combs on is some off tackle slashes to loosen the Clay defense.

“Sims, a defensive tackle last year, has a bit of depth in it now and Jeremy ran some on the junior varsity,” said Stilianou. “We don’t have as much depth at running back and he helps us with that.”

Senior fullback Edwin Garcia, at 200 pounds, snagged a short out pass and turned upfield showing quick feet for a 16 yard gain.

Up front, on the offensive line, senior Joe Grelli teamed with Jordan Bell, center, and John Haymore, both seniors, with junior Jordan McGill, at 240, 6’-2” getting some knock downs, to open gaps for the ball carriers.

Clay quarterback Tre Griner misfired on one pass attempt to wideout Reid Waugh at the end zone pylon, but did find Dylan Griffin, a transplanted 6’-4” basketball player, over the middle for some timely gains. Griffin did get chocked up by Clay linebacker Bryan Chapman on one crossing pattern that elicited some excitement from defensive coach Rodney Keller.

Another big stop on defense came from sophomore defensive tackle Derrick Mosley on a fourth and two at the goal line for the offense.

Defensive back Tristan Keith nearly picked off Griner on a sideline pattern in the first but was unable to keep grasp of the ball.