Spartans escape shutout

Friday's final:
Lake City Christian 78, St. Johns Country Day 3

Lightning was the only thing that could stop Lake City
Christian Academy’s ground game Friday night during a
78-3 win against St. John’s Country Day School at
Orange Park High School.

The Lake City Christian Academy Eagles (2-1, 1-0
District 2-1B) were up 22-0 behind two touchdown runs
and an interception returned for a touchdown when
referees noticed lightning bolts in the distance and
halted the game with 4:02 left in the first quarter.
Similar to the situation the Florida Gators were in
during their first football game of the season, the
teams had to wait for 30 minutes for the lightning to
stop before they could resume for safety.

The game was affected by the recent rains before the opening
kickoff. Soggy conditions at the Spartan's field
caused the game to be moved to Orange Park High
School.

The break didn’t help the St. Johns Country Day School
Spartans (0-4, 0-1 District 2-1B), who were without
their top offensive threat, senior running back Carlos
Sims, Jr. The Eagles scored 42 unanswered points on
the second-year team to finish the half 64-0. While
the Spartans were constantly starting drives deep in
their own territory, the Eagles took advantage of
drives that started at midfield for most of the game.

“We have limitations based on size and speed,” said
St. Johns coach Rodney DuBose. “We just have to
improve the athletes we have. We are just young and
trying to establish our threats on offense.”

The Eagles had a quiver of offensive threats to go to
Friday night. Ten different backs contributed to the
team’s 410 rushing yards. Jeremy Claridy led the
Eagles ground game with 109 yards on four carries, two
of those went for touchdowns. He also returned an
interception 25 yards for a touchdown.
Earl Jones rumbled 65 yards, and two touchdowns, on
three carries for the Eagles. Demetrius Scippio added
61 yards, two touchdowns, on four carries to the Eagle
rushing stats.

The Eagles were poised to take home not only a win,
but a 78-0 shutout as well late in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans took the field one more time, set
themselves up near midfield with a good kick return,
and began a drive with three minutes left.

Spartan running back Hwang Marino sliced and diced his
way around the Eagle defense to bring the Spartans to
the Eagle’s 28-yard line. The Spartans tried to
improve their field position with some passing, but
the pass rush was still coming after Spartan
quarterback Ray Grant and two passes fell incomplete.

The offense was still on the field with seven seconds
left, but Coach DuBose sent in kicker Jake Haznedl to
break up the shutout.

“Nobody wants to give up a shutout,” Dubose said after
the game.

Haznedl kicked the ball 28 yards through the uprights
for three points and ended the shutout bid. Haznedl
wasn’t sure of his kick at first, but was glad with
the result.

“I had been hooking them right during practice and the
ball went that way again on that kick,” Haznedl said.
“It turned out alright. I’m just glad we didn’t get
shut out.”

Marino led the Spartans in rushing with 69 yards on 13
carries. T.J. Weaver added 34 yards on four carries.

The Spartans host Eagleview for homecoming on Friday.

Scoring Summary

Lake City 22 42 14 0—78

St. Johns 0 0 0 3—3

First Quarter

LC- Jones 18-yard run (run failed) 6-0

LC- Claridy 25-yard interception return(Kelly pass to
Thomas) 14-0

LC- Scippio 13-yard run(Shaw run) 22-0

Second Quarter

LC- Kelly 19-yard pass Espenship(Phillips run) 30-0

LC- Jones 38-yard run(Kelly run) 38-0

LC- Scippio 40-yard run(pass failed) 44-0

LC- Claridy 78-yard run(run failed) 50-0
LC- Thomas 25-yard run(pass failed) 56-0

LC- Claridy 30-yard run(Phillips run) 64-0

Third Quarter

LC- Phillips 22-yard run(Kelly run) 72-0

LC- Dortly 2-yard run(run failed) 78-0

Fourth Quarter

SJ- Ja. Haznedl 28-yard field goal 78-3