MIDDLEBURG - Fleming Island High running bak Tyler Beverly’s two long touchdown runs highlighted a smashing debut for new coach Chad Parker as visiting Fleming Island overwhelmed Middleburg 28-7 in a spring game shortened by lightning on May 22.

Taking over at running back after the graduation of Sam Singleton, who manned the role for the last three years, Beverly did a fine impression of the FSU commit, relieving any concerns Parker may have had about the role. The junior ran for 134 yards on just three carries.

“I did not know what we had in him [Beverly], but I think we know now that we are going to be all right there,” said Parker.

Beverly gained 37 yards on Fleming Island’s second play from scrimmage. Two plays later, the junior bolted through a crease up the middle and outran the Middleburg safeties to the goal line from 42 yards out. He effectively put the game away midway through the second quarter. Facing a fourth and three from the Broncos 42 yard line, Beverly took a handoff from backup quarterback Carson Stewart, dashed through a hole over left guard and again split the safeties for a score that put the Golden Eagles ahead 21-0.

On offense, Parker is installing a zone run blocking scheme with lot of run/pass options and triple options, and the early results were encouraging. Cibastian Broughton, a sophomore with multiple collegiate offers, carried 13 times for 61 yards and threw a perfect slant pass that Daevean Boykin turned into a 55 yard touchdown when Middleburg safety Jaden Boyd went for an interception instead of tackling Boykin. Broughton finished with three completions on eight attempts for 100 yards, with no interceptions.

“I just wanted to see our guys come out and execute and do what they had done all spring, and I feel like they did that,” said Parker.

Fleming Island looks set at wide receiver despite the loss of speedsters Darion Domineck and Brendan Cook from last Fall. Boykin and freshman Trace Burney, who escaped the grasp of a Middleburg cornerback to turn a slant pass from Caleb Stewart into a 28 yard touchdown to make the score 28-0 in the third quarter, both look explosive.

“You can’t give up big plays, and we got big-played tonight,” said Middleburg head coach Ryan Wolfe, who will enter his second year at Middleburg this Fall.

Middleburg moved the ball well at times, earning five more first downs (13-8) than Fleming Island. But mistakes prevented the Broncos from keeping it close. Aiden Worthy, who got Middleburg into scoring range with a 54 yard catch and run on their opening possession, dropped a third down pass that would have gained a first down inside the Golden Eagles 15 yard line. On the next play, Kaleb Robison was short on a 40 yard field goal attempt. Mason Zwilling threw two interceptions inside Fleming Island territory. Another drive was thwarted by a shotgun snap that squirted sideways and was recovered by Fleming Island tackle Joey Couch.

“I still feel like we have a really good football team,” said Wolfe. “I just think our execution was not that great. We kept shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Wolfe likes what do-everything weapon Jaydan Jenkins brings to the slot receiver position, so he is hoping that Zwilling, a junior, proves capable of handling the quarterbacking duties. On Monday, Jenkins led the Broncos in rushing with 54 yards on eight carries, caught one pass for four yards and completed both of his pass attempts for 54 yards. The Middleburg offense will revolve around him and running back Terrance Thomas, who gained 31 yards on eight attempts.

Middleburg avoided a shutout late in the third quarter when sophomore Lawson Padgett capped a 75 yard drive by sweeping right, maintaining his balance despite getting spun around by Golden Eagles linebacker Edward Randall and tip-toeing down the sideline for a nine yard score. Robison added the extra point.

Sophomore Kaylib Singleton, who Parker says may be a better football player than his brother, and freshman Sebastian Cruz had interceptions for Fleming Island, while Randall had two tackles for loss.

The skies opened up after Padgett’s touchdown, and the game was called with 10:55 remaining due to lightning in the area.