Florida scored 22 unanswered points to defeat Georgia, 22-12, for the third time in four years at the “Swamp”, the home stadium of the Class A runner-up Charlton County Indians. All four games have been played in Folkston because of its proximity to the north Florida border and the city of Jacksonville.
The goal of War of the Border is to hopefully help a senior football player have a chance to be seen by a collegiate scout and to be able to have a special memory as they finish up their high school football career.
“I think the game is a great opportunity for unsigned players to get that last chance to impress some college scouts. I think our players for the most part did well in the game. Of course you would always like to see your own players get more playing time, but as with all All-Star games each player has to get their opportunity to play,” Liberty County Panthers head coach Kirk Warner says.
Warner, who has been on the staffs of the prestigious US Army All -American Game and last month’s Under Armor All-American game, had four of his Panthers playing for the Georgia squad in the War of the Border game.
Charlton County quarterback Trae Harrington hit teammate Julian Roberts for a 41-yard gain but Georgia could not punch the ball in. Appling County kicker Israel Jaramillo’s field goal put the home team up, 3-0. Appling defensive back Devontae Wilkerson scored Georgia’s first touchdown late in the first quarter, picking off a Florida pass from 20 yards out. Georgia held a 9-0 lead until late in the first half.
Fernandina Beach’s Anthony Duclos picked off a Georgia pass, returning the ball to the Georgia 24-yard line. Fletcher’s Codan Breckenridge added a 32-yard field goal for Florida’s first score, cutting the Georgia lead to 9-3.
Florida grabbed a loose fumble from Georgia’s special teams. Bacon County’s Antonio Mason put a bone-jarring hit on the Florida quarterback, knocking him out of the game. Once Georgia got the ball back, the offense fumbled again.
In the final seconds of the half, Florida got a 38-yard touchdown pass from Atlantic Coast’s Ryan McFarlin to Mandarin’s Willie Burgos, giving them their first lead of the game, 10-9.
Coming out of half tim
e the rest of the game would be controlled by the visiting team.
Menendez’s Trevon Bryant scored a rushing touchdown on Florida’s opening possession. Georgia’s special teams mishandled another kick and Florida was able to hit the ball carrier near the 1-yard line. On the next snap,Yulee’s Gary Deveaux recorded a safety. On the ensuing free kick Breckrenridge added another field goal from 42 yards.
Despite its struggling offense and special teams woes, Georgia did add one more field goal in the second half.
Florida drove the length of the field in the final minutes of the game and were in the red zone about to score as time expired, giving them a 22-12 victory.
Roberts was the offensive MVP player of the game for Georgia.
First Coast running back Jaha McCray took offensive MVP honors for Florida after finishing with 125 yards from scrimmage, and Stanton safety Collin Conner took the defensive honors home after a pair of interceptions.
The officials crew was provided by Flowers Baking Company of Jacksonville. According to reports, the game is expected to move to First Coast in Jacksonville next year after four years at Charlton County High School.
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Second half surge gives Florida third War of the Border victory
By John Wood
