Orange Park comes up short in comeback bid against Clay in District 5A-5 action

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — The Clay Blue Devils picked up a very crucial first win in District 5A-5 action Friday night, as they downed rival Orange Park 35-27.

The Orange Park Raiders made a 21-0 run late in the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome two  turnovers and a handful of special teams blunders.

Clay came out the gates hot, jumping out to a quick 15-0 first quarter lead thanks in part to a scoop-n-score and the offense taking advantage of a short field off a high punt snap by the Raiders.

Orange Park would get on the board midway through the second quarter, on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Demarae Bryd to FB Twain Newton. Clay would add another touchdown with just 11 seconds in the half to make the score at halftime 22-6.

The second half would see the Blue Devils pick up right where they left off, as senior running back Marcus Jones took a jet sweep 64 yards to the house. They would quickly get the ball back and would quickly add another score as senior quarterback Jaylen Jenkins hit junior wide receiver Ajay Belanger in stride for a 60-yard score to make the score 35-6 (two-point conversion no good).

With the game seemingly in control, the Orange Park Raiders didn’t concede defeat. Quarterback Demarae Byrd connected with senior wide receiver Kameron Thomas for a 22-yard TD (PAT blocked) to cut the deficit to 23.

Orange Park would go on to force a fumble on the ensuing defensive possession. Orange Park would capitalize on the turnover in the weirdest of ways – Byrd was picked off by Clay defensive back Evan Martin, who would bring the ball out of the end zone, only to backtrack is way back into the end zone and was tackled for a safety, making the score 35-14.

About halfway through the fourth quarter, Orange Park would once again cut the deficit, this time on a one-yard TD rush from Byrd (two-point conversion no good). Just 54 seconds later, Clay running back Tymious Goodman would put the ball on the ground and watch as Orange Park picked it up and returned it for six to make the score 35-27.

After forcing a punt on the ensuing possession, Orange Park needed to take the ball 90+ yards to have a shot at tying the game. After picking up a few first downs, Orange Park running back Deontrae Thomas would go on to fumble the ball and the Raiders would be forced to watch as the Clay Blue Devils killed the clock.  

KEY PLAY OF THE GAME: With a little over a minute in the game and the ball in his hands, senior Deontrae Thomas fumbled the ball and ultimately ended the Raiders comeback.

STAR OF THE GAME: Junior wide receiver Ajay Belanger had a huge night for the Blue Devils, collecting three touchdowns on four catches totaling 121 yards.

QUOTABLE: Clay HC Josh Hoekstra on Blue Devils almost blowing a 35-6 lead – “I think our kids thought it was over. It’s never over, and we’ve learned that over our playoff runs and tonight we just stopped playing as hard.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The Clay Blue Devils (3-1, 1-0) travels to Oakleaf High School (1-2) in what looks to be a marquee non-district matchup next week. Orange Park (2-1, 0-1) will look to rebound from this week’s tough loss at Middleburg High School (2-2).