Palatka routs Eastside 34-7 in kickoff classic

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – What looked like it would be a promising preseason for two teams wanting to show improvement to fans, it was total domination by Palatka as they ran away early on Eastside, winning 34-7.

THE BIG PLAYS: It got started quick and early for Palatka as they took their first drive taking only six plays to get in the end zone when quarterback James Campbell scored on a 35-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead over the Rams.

Eastside, which didn’t return the favor at all going three and out quickly found themselves going three the entire first half, except on their second to last drive of the first half where the Rams opted to pass on fourth-down coming up empty handed to gain their first, first down of the game.

Palatka ended up scoring four more times during the first half with Jason Campbell taking the lead on all five touchdown drives. Campbell threw for four touchdowns on the night that included pass from 50, 35, 40 and 42 yards respectively.

Running back Markel Rasher was on the receiving end of one of the touchdown passes and ended up having a huge night along with Campbell. Trevon Williams was also on the receiving end of two of Campbell’s touchdown passes as well.

Eastside wouldn’t find its groove until the second half when Palatka started substituting in second team players while Eastside left first team players in to allowed them to build more confidence, allowing them to pick up a few first downs in the process.

However, determined not to let the game end in a shutout, when freshman wide receiver Anthony Richardson hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 34-7 in favor of the Panthers, midway through the fourth quarter.

Palatka ran out the clock towards the end of the game after team exchange the ball back and forth a couple of more times.

WHEN IT WAS OVER: It was over pretty quickly when Palatka took a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, putting the final nail in the coffin with 6:41 left in the second quarter to go up by 28.

STAR OF THE GAME: James Campbell, threw for four touchdowns and rushed for one more in the rout over Eastside. According to stats from Larry Savage at the Gainesville Sun, Campbell was 10 of 13 for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns, which was part of nearly 400 yards of offense the Panthers put up in the first half against the Rams’ porous defense.

DID YOU KNOW: Palatka will play Class 6A state-ranked Ocala Vanguard next week and it is likely the have found a confidence booster by winning in such sound fashion against Eastside, but knows they will have play much stronger next week to overcome a potential state title contender in the Knights.

QUOTABLE: Palatka Head Coach Bobby Humphries on his team’s performance after the game.

WHAT’S NEXT: Palatka will travel over to Booster Stadium in Ocala next Friday night to take on the Vanguard Knights with the tilt slated to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Eastside will host city rival Buchholz in Gainesville at Citizens Field with a kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. Eastern.