OAKLEAF - First-time Oakleaf High quarterback starter Brandon Wallace, Jr., threw three touchdown passes and ran for two scores as Oakleaf got the Christopher Foy era off to a smashing start with a 42-0 rout of visiting Orange Park in the season opener for both teams on August 25.

Wallace, a senior who sat last season behind the now-departed Drew Ammon, admitted to being nervous before the game. But he played like a veteran, completing nine of 13 passes for 165 yards in two and a half quarters. Two of his scoring tosses were to freshman Michael Conner, III, one on a seam route from 10 yards out and one on a perfectly timed post pattern for 36 yards.

“As soon as we started practice this summer, we got an instant chemistry,” Wallace said of the 5’7” Conner, who led all receivers with five catches for 80 yards. “He is not big, but he wins his battles.”

The Knights discovered another receiving threat in Jordin Price. Price, a sophomore who played cornerback as a freshman, caught three balls for 75 yards. Like Conner, he scored on a post pattern and set up a Wallace touchdown run in the second quarter by leaping above Raiders cornerback Daniel Richardson to haul in a 35-yard bomb at the five-yard line.

“Price is one of the most athletic guys we have on the team,” said Wallace. “He can jump out of the gym, and is an amazing weapon.”

Wallace considers his ability to run a major asset, saying his running game will be a major component of the Oakleaf offense this season. He scored Oakleaf’s second touchdown on a quarterback sneak in the second quarter and swept left behind the blocking of running back Christopher Foy, II, from seven yards out to put Oakleaf ahead 21-0 at halftime. Wallace finished with 19 yards on six rushes.

Foy is excited about Wallace’s potential.

“This is the first year he has had significant reps, and he is getting better and better,” said Foy. “He is an incredible athlete.”

For Foy, who begins his tenure at Oakleaf after successfully rebuilding Jackson High School in Jacksonville from doormat to district champion in just three years, the debut was a resounding success. The Oakleaf offense, which began four drives within sight of the goal line thanks to two long snaps that went over the head of Orange Park punter James Waters, a blocked punt, two fumble recoveries and an interception, displayed quick strike ability, while the defense made enough plays to keep the Raiders off of the scoreboard. The home stands were full, and the Knights gave their black-and-gold-clad partisans plenty to cheer about. Cheerleaders, band members and fans danced to house music played over the loudspeakers during time outs, contributing to the party atmosphere.

“This was the livest [sic] venue I have ever coached in,” said Foy, who has enjoyed a 30-year coaching career. “It was so loud I felt like my head was going to explode.”

Foy’s night was capped off when his son, the Knights starting running back, burst up the middle for the game’s final touchdown late in the third quarter. Orange Park largely had themselves to blame for the lop-sided score. Freshman James Waters was able to retreat and recover the errant punt snaps on the opening possession of the game and then again in the third quarter, but the combined loss of 41 yards left the Knights just 20 and eight yards away from the goal line as they started their possessions. Each time, Oakleaf cashed in. Oakleaf lineman Anthoni Smith blocked a Waters punt in the second quarter, leading to another score.

Waters was only in the game because Ty Obermeyer, Orange Park’s starting kicker and punter, is also a member of the Raiders’ cross-country team and had a meet on Friday which caused him to be late to the football game.

“We have not been doing that [snapping the ball too high] in practice at all,” said Orange Park head coach Marcus Wimberly. “We lost the turnover battle three to one and made a lot of unforced errors, and when you do that, it is going to get out of hand.”

The Raiders running game was effective early, with running backs Joshua Johnson (seven carries, 68 yards) and Dylan Ruiz (4-17) combining for 85 yards on 11 attempts. Sophomore quarterback Gabe Taylor completed nine of 20 passes for 72 yards, victimized by several drops. The Raiders drove inside the Oakleaf 10-yard line twice, but Taylor was intercepted by the Knights’ Bryson Keitt in the end zone the first time and a Johnson fumble was recovered by Oakleaf’s Justin Marsh-Menise on the second occasion.

Both schools return to action on September 1. Oakleaf hosts Baker County and will try to avenge last year’s 25-21 loss to the Wildcats. Orange Park travels to Episcopal.