WEEK 0 ROUND UP: University Christian wins big while Oakleaf falls in season openers

Only two of the over 500 teams in the state last night that put on the pads for a game that will actually matter at the end of the season in the new FHSAA Playoff Points System as University Christian and Oakleaf split a pair of games in Week 0 action.

UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN 44, BEN LIPPEN, S.C. 14

A road trip to Columbia, S.C. proved to be an impressive one as the defending Class 2A state champion and current FloridaHSFootball.com Class 2A No. 1 team University Christian (Jacksonville) got a big win against South Carolina’s defending AAA Champion, the Ben Lippen Falcons to move to 1-0 on the season.

It was University Christian’s first win against an out-of-state team since 2011.

University Christian 44, Ben Lippen (SC) 14, FINAL
UC now 1-0, first out-of-state W since 2011.

— Justin Barney (@JustinBarneyTV) August 19, 2017

According to the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union, the Fighting Christians were down early 7-3, but took off after that and never looked back.

Jalen Dunningan had a 17-yard touchdown run and had an interception that later set up another score while quarterback Clay Boyd scored from 46-yards out after that interception. Uriah Ratliff had a 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Running back Max McLendon rushed 143 yards while setting up University Christian several scores, according to the Columbia The State.

“With the playoff system in Florida, every game counts for us, and this was big for us. I try to do an out-of-town trip every year and make the team bond. We came out and played hard. It was a good start to the season,” University Christian David Penland told The State after the game.

University Christian (1-0) returns home next week to host Providence (Jacksonville) for Week 1 action.

CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. 19, OAKLEAF 6

It was not going to be two in a row for Oakleaf (Orange Park) as the Wildcats returned the favor of getting a win against the visiting Knights, Friday night in Kingsland.

According to the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union, Camden County used defense as a roadblock for the Knights to be able to pull out the 19-6 win while using a variety of young players to lead the way on offense.

Oakleaf won last year’s matchup, 27-13.

Wide receiver Jakari Williams was the biggest stand out for the Knights in the game catching seven passes for 133 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tre Simmons for Oakleaf’s only score of the game..

Senior Jakari Williams having a solid night for @OakleafFootball. 6 catches for 113 and a TD.

— Clayton Freeman (@CFreemanJAX) August 19, 2017

Oakleaf (0-1) returns home next week to face rival Orange Park in a game that was twice canceled by last year’s hurricanes while Camden County will host Florida Top 25 No. 14 Venice.