NEPTUNE BEACH - The Fleming Island Golden Eagles got a late game defensive turnover returned for a touchdown to hold off the Fletcher Senators Friday night in Jax Beach 28-20 and an important 2-0 start to the season.

"This was one of those knock down, drag out games," said Fleming Island head coach Damenyum Springs, who now prepares for an inter-county showdown with unbeaten Ridgeview High who rode a 35-0 win over Middleburg on Friday. "Two tough minded teams went at it tonight."

The evening started impressively for Fleming Island when quarterback Grant Travis found a wide open Darion Domineck for an 80 yard touchdown pass on the third play of the game for the Golden Eagles to take a quick 6-0 lead.

Fletcher would respond with a five minute touchdown drive led on the ground by Cincinnati committ running back Miles Montgomery to take a 7-6 lead in what looked like would an absolute shootout offensively.

Both defenses stiffened up including a tackle for loss by linebacker Alex Maier then a third down sack on the following play by cornerback Dedric Walker had the Senators dazed and confused as to how to move the ball effectively. Both defenses held their opponents to punts on the next two possessions until Fleming Island had the ball with just over four minutes until halftime.

The Golden Eagles started the drive on their own 43 yard line and Travis missed a wide open Will Stephens by a fingernails length for a sure touchdown. Not too worry as running back TK Kocak took over the offensive load from there. He caught a screen pass on third down to the Senator 34 yard line then two plays later broke a long run down to the 18 yard line. Later in the drive he lined up at quarterback on a direct snap (Wild Eagle) and bulldozed his way nine yards for the touchdown and a 13-7 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles looked to pick up where they left off in the third quarter after a short kickoff that Fleming Island was able to start at their own 40 yard line.

A 17 yard run by running back Timmy Thomas put Fleming Island inside Senator territory. Thomas would them convert a critical fourth down run to the 15 yard line. Two plays later Kocak would rumble from eight yards out for the score. He would rumble one more time after a Fletcher penalty to score the two point conversion and it appeared Fleming Island was well in control down at the beach.

The teams would trade punts then Fletcher head coach Bobby Raulerson replaced his quarterback with his star running backs Miles Montgomery and Aaron Hester. The pair would direct snap their way on a 75 yard drive that ended in a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-14 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Fleming Island offense was forced to punt and Fletcher seemed to have all the momentum after their last drive as they looked to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. But transfer linebacker Alex Maier and cornerback Dedric Walker teamed up to put a monster hit and strip on Montgomery that was promptly recovered and returned 37 yards for a game changing touchdown run by Walker to push the lead to 28-14 with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter.

"Our defense line was doing a great job of filling the proper gaps all night. My teammates made it easy for me to just make a play. Also our coaches did a great job of telling us when to blitz" Walker said.

Springs was also quick to praise Walker for his big play ability. "Dedric had a great night and the play he made was huge because they had all the momentum at that point" he said.

Fletcher would not go away quietly as they would drive down the field and score on a five yard run by Montgomery to get within one score at 28-20 with 2:24 left. Fletcher kicker Beau Keller (Perfect Jax Beach name, right) executed a near perfect onside kick with some favorable bounces but the Golden Eagles recovered and were able to run out the clock and escape Jax Beach with a win.

Huge early season matchups have been a regular occurrence for Fleming Island; but Springs knows it doesn't get any easier especially in a crazy year like 2020.

"It makes it tough when you didn't have spring ball or much of an off season. What we have to do to be successful is control the clock and pound it, pound it, pound it" Referring to the running game, Springs added. Their next opportunity will be this Friday at home versus undefeated county rival Ridgeview.