Thursday, August 30th, when the clock hit two and the sound of the bell rang throughout the campus, most Charter students began stampeding out of school. However, for the “Jag Boyz”, the day had only just begun. After rigorous training in the fierceness of the Florida summer heat; being pushed past our limits by a motivated coaching staff; and battling with each other in practice day in and day out, the integrity of the Jaguars would finally get put to the test during their first game of the season; the Blackout game against Northeast High School.
As a player in the locker room, Coach Armstrong announces that we’re walking out in six minutes and the room goes dead silent, as we each prepare to go to war. Your heart starts to beat out your chest, as your blood races through your veins at speeds you didn’t even know were possible.
Once you hit the field though, there isn’t any time for worrying. As I walked across the wet turf, looking around to see my brothers by my side and the stands packed with supporters, I knew it was going to be a rough game for Northeast. I knew this because we were going to give everything we had on every play, and as soon as that whistle blew, that mentality instantly translated to the field.
Starting quarterback, Senior Jayden Gonzalez, and wide receiver Joshua (Josh) Sylvain would connect for multiple plays on the Jags opening drive leading to the first six on the board. Being on the sideline, the energy was electric. Everyone on the team was encouraging one another, and celebrating Josh’s first touchdown as a Jaguar.
“The first couple receptions were a good way for me to ease into the game. Once I seen that my man couldn’t guard me I ran right through him and my QB found me. I never played receiver before so this was a really surreal moment, and I just enjoyed it with my team on the sideline.”
Following the opening drive, defense would come onto the field and take care of business.
Coming into the game there were a lot of nerves, our offense had just started off the game with a touchdown, and it was now up to us to keep Northeast off the scoreboard. With that in mind we knew that we couldn’t let them score, let alone allow them to get a first down, and we executed that goal perfectly.
Omari Colbourne, sophomore and nickelback, would set the defensive tone for the night after catching a pick (interception) and returning it for a couple of yards. This was not only the first interception of the season, but his first interception as a varsity player.
“It was a great feeling especially at the first home game, but I can do so much more to impact the team. If I can step up as a leader more and continue to make plays, I’ll be happy with whatever outcome at the end of the day.”
From then on, we would go on to dominate Northeast on both sides of the ball. The offense was led by Keidran (KJ) Willis Jr, starting senior running back, who scored three touchdowns using his shiftiness and amazing ability of reading the field, maneuvering his way into the end zone at any cost.
On the defensive end there was just as much action; tackles made by Noah Escobar (senior,defensive tackle) and yours truly-Dylan Williams, senior, linebacker- would lead to two forced fumbles recovered by defensive end Dalai Garland.
This gave possession of the ball back over to the Jags who capitalized with sophomore receivers ,Lucky Lubin and Michael Akinbehinje, who would add 14 points on the board, each finding their way across the goal line. This accumulation of great plays would end up in the Jags going up 41-0 heading into the half.
We would hold onto our lead for the remainder of the game which ended in a 41-12 victory. It was important for us to not drop off in the second half and continue to play cut throat football, and although we held onto our lead, we knew that we’re going to have to do more when we face off against tougher opponents.
Nevertheless, the first game of the season ending in a win is always a good feeling, there is always room for improvement, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the Jaguars are not a playoff caliber team.
As the season goes on, we will continue to get better and grow cohesively as a team; this is just one game, but from this we know the potential that this team has. So to any teams underestimating the capability of the “Jag Boyz”, watch out. Why? Because “we’re hungry and on the hunt.”
