JACKSONVILLE - Fleming Island High running back Zion Longmire ran for two touchdowns, and quarterback Greyson Critch passed for two more as the Golden Eagles kicked off their 2026 campaign with a resounding 33-0 shutout of host Atlantic Coast.

The win shook off a somewhat tumultuous spring and summer for Fleming Island, who lost their spring game to Fletcher 40-21. It also had at least three players transfer who were expected to contribute significantly. Also, they lost 28-3 to Bartram Trail in a preseason jamboree.

“It is always good to get off to a good start,” said Fleming Island head coach Tom MacPherson. “Now our kids know we can win if we do it right. They know they can trust the game plan, trust the coaches. The kids that transferred, good riddance. The kids that stayed, I love coaching them, and they showed that they can win a bunch of games.”

Critch, a junior, was excellent in his first varsity start. He completed 16 of 26 throws for 214 yards and no interceptions.

Longmire started at noseguard on defense and shared running back duties with Brady Digman and Ryan Siliac. He rushed nine times for a game-high 111 yards, and he made the game’s most critical play. With the Golden Eagles clinging to a 3-0 lead and facing a third down and one yard to go at their own 29 yard line, Longmire took a pitch from Critch. Longmire was running laterally to the right side when the Stingrays appeared to have him hemmed in along the sideline. But the junior bulled his way through a tackle attempt by cornerback Tyler Canfield, then sprinted up the sideline for 71 yards and a touchdown that put Fleming Island firmly ahead. Longmire shook off safety Demonte Banks just before reaching the goal line. Noah Graston kicked the point-after-touchdown.

The score resulted when Critch's changed in the play call at the line of scrimmage.

“They were in man-to-man and Critch made a great check,” MacPherson said. “Since it was man-to-man, once Zion made one tackler miss, now he could outrun everybody because everybody else is playing man somewhere.”

Longmire also scored on a one-yard run up the middle in the third quarter.

The Golden Eagles fired on all cylinders in the second half, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions, while not allowing a first down until their back-ups were on the field in the fourth quarter.

After completing 8 of 16 throws in the first half, Critch caught fire in the second. He threw for 60 of the 63 yards that the Golden Eagles covered on the opening drive of the third quarter, perfectly leading Siliac on a fly pattern up the left sideline for the final 37 yards that put Fleming Island ahead 17-0.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Critch threw a quick screen to receiver Gavin Boysen, who weaved his way behind several downfield blocks for a 15 yard touchdown that gave the visitors a 31-0 lead and allowed Critch to sit the remainder of the game.

The Class 4A Golden Eagles look to build on their momentum when they travel to larger Class 6A Creekside on Friday, Aug. 28. The Knights made the FHSAA playoffs last year, raised eyebrows on opening night by beating Nease, 21-14.

Week Two

Friday, August 28

Matanzas at Clay: Matanzas (7-4) lost to Bartram Trail in FIT playoffs mentioned above and will bring that psyche to Clay High. If Clay knocked off Baker County and Bishop Kenny, that's a lot of momentum. Matanzas lost 42-7 to Flagler Palm Coast.

Menendez at Ridgeview: Who knows, at this point, how to gauge the Ridgeview program under new leadership, but Menendez is a solid program as first year coach Jason Smith has bravely put tough teams on his schedule. Ridgeview beat Westside 16-12 in their season opener with strong running from Tyaun Edmondson who sprinted to a 50 yard scoring run and finishing with 182 yards while freshman Amani Blount scored from 26 yards out. Smith noted that freshman Kai Johns started in place of Jordan Mesa, who was starting at safety.

Orange Park at Oakleaf: Raiders, despite a 41-0 loss to Andrew Jackson, has a shot at monumental game if Oakleaf and Raines lived up to billing and Knights are hot right out of the gate. Knights lost 21-7 to Raines and that could be bringing a refocused Knight squad back on to the Oakleaf High field — dubbed the Dungeon.

P.K. Yonge at Keystone Heights: Both teams 0-10 last year. Keystone Heights lost 63-0 to Interlachen and is 0-2. PK Yonge lost 51-0 to Lake Weir in their opener.

Fleming Island at Creekside: Fleming Island could get some solid footing with opener win over Atlantic Coast and one here, but Creekside has been a historical thorn in the Golden Eagles foot. Creekside got a pseudo-upset win over Nease High, 21-14.

Game of the Week:

Bartram Trail at Middleburg: Two top tier programs in past decade and one worthy of a close eye on as both look to get a head start of playoff points. Bartram Trail (4-8) ran into a 21-19 region final of FIT regions loss to eventual champion Tate. Bronco coach Ryan Wolfe wants a second playoff game this year and returned to tough early season games. Bartram Trail dinged Tocoi Creek 37-3.

Week Three

Thursday, August 3

Atlantic Coast at Orange Park: Two programs on the verge; both 4-6 last year.

Friday, September 4

Middleburg at North Marion

Clay at Palatka

RHS BYE

Game of the Week: Oakleaf at Fleming Island may have the luster of past years because of changes in both programs, but still a big game for Golden Eagle fans. Fleming Island got stung a few years ago at home by Oakleaf with Fleming Island last win the series in 2021; Frank Garis for Oakleaf, Damenyum Springs for Fleming Island.