Jacksonville.com: Sports: Jaguars: Grass Stains Blog

Monday, December 31, 2007

Gator Bowl coverage

The Grass Stains blog will convert to cover the Gator Bowl tomorrow as Texas Tech and Virginia battle at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Check our Gator Bowl page for the most recent news, photos and video.

Leave your pregame predictions in the comments below and come back during the game tomorrow for all the game action.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Caption the Game: 4th down

The Jaguars rested their starters in a 42-28 loss to the Houston Texans Sunday.

Read the caption from each photo below then write your own caption for the photo and fill in the speech bubble. Please remember to keep them clean though.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker #51 Clint Ingram (right) can only watch as Houston Texans tight end #81 Owen Daniels hauls in a 2 yard touchdown catch with 3:21 to play in the second quarter during the Jags 42-28 loss playing mostly reserve players Sunday December 30, 2007 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the Game: 3rd down

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs Fred Taylor (left) and Maurice Jones-Drew talk on the sideline as they sit-out the game against the Houston Texans during the Jags 42-28 loss playing mostly reserve players Sunday December 30, 2007 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the Game: 2nd down

Houston Texans kick-returner #11 Andre' Davis (center) outruns a trio of Jacksonville Jaguars special teams players as he returns a kick-off 97 yards for a touchdown with 15 seconds to play in the second quarter. Davis also ran back the opening kick-off of the second half for a touchdown during the Jags 42-28 loss playing mostly reserve players Sunday December 30, 2007 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the Game: 1st down

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver #11 Reggie Williams performs a celebratory dance after catching a 22 yard touchdown pass with 7:12 to play in the first quarter during the Jags 42-28 loss to the Houston Texans playing mostly reserve players Sunday December 30, 2007 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Jaguars lose 42-28

The Jaguars lose their last regular season game 42-28 after resting most of their starters. Quinn Gray went 29-35 for 302 yards and four touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 122.

Jacksonville will play in the Wildcard playoffs next week in either Pittsburgh or San Diego next week. Jacksonville finishes the regular season 11-5.

Gray adds touchdown

Jacksonville will in all likelihood lose against the Texans today but Quinn Gray added a 17-yard touchdown to Ernest Wilford with 3:02 remaining. Gray is 25 of 39 for 302-yards and 4 touchdowns today. Gray has a quarterback rating of 122 on the day so far.

Jacksonville is down 42-28 at the two-minute warning.

Houston advances lead

Houston continues to advance their lead on the Jaguars back to 21. Darius Walker took the ball two-yards for the touchdown putting the Texans up 42-21.

42 points marks the most the Texans have scored in team history and the most the Jaguars have allowed all season.

Jones scores touchdown

Houston has taken control of the game but Quinn Gray tries to keep the difference manageable. Gray found Matt Jones for a 5-yard touchdown pass putting the Jaguars behind by 14, 35-21.

Davis returns again

Keep the ball away from Andre Davis should be the Jaguars gameplan for special teams in the second half. On back-to-back returns Davis returned the kickoff for a touchdown: One return for 97-yards, the next for 104-yards. The Jaguars special teams play is costing this game for the Jaguars today as the Texans go up 28-14.

Davis is the seventh player to ever return two kickoffs in the same game. Most recently Devin Hester of the Bears accomplished the feat.

Texans answer: 97-yard return

My anticipation was wrong. Specials teams made their second big mistake of the game. A 97-yard kickoff return by Andre Davis puts the Texans up 21-14 with 15 seconds remaining in the first half.

Wilford gets TD reception

Jacksonville ties the Texans with 29 seconds remaining in the first half at 14. Quinn Gray found Ernest Wilford in the endzone for a 6-yard touchdown reception. Jacksonville will kick it off and I anticipate a Houston kneel down as the Texans receive the ball first in the second half.

Texans up 14-7

The Texans have taken the lead on the Jaguars in the second quarter. A 2-yard touchdown pass from Sage Rosenfels pass to Owen Daniels put the Texans up 14-7 on the Jaguars.

The touchdown capped off a Jaguars like drive: 15 plays, 84-yards and 8:34 off the clock.

Owens gives away ball

Chad Owens just pulled one of the worst special teams mistakes for the Jaguars this year. Waving the other Jaguars away on a punt return Owens then decided to jump on the ball and missed. The Texans quickly recovered inside the Jaguars five-yard line. That fumble should give the Texans at least a field goal.

UPDATE: As expected the Texans converted off of Chad Owens' mistake. Ron Dayne took the ball in for the score putting the Jaguars and Texans even at 7.

Shadows over field

Coming from a television background this game in Houston has got to be a pain for the CBS producers. The sun is coming in heavy on the left side of the field while stadium shadows overrule the right.

Do you think stadiums should take the sun into consideration when building? Should the architects try to eliminate harsh shadows?

Long drive; Long touchdown

The Jaguars continued their streak of long opening drives with the starters sitting out. 14 plays, 89-yards and 7:48 on the clock Quinn Gray led the Jaguars to a 7-0 lead. Gray found Reggie Williams for a 22-yard touchdown reception.

Jaguars receive kickoff

Jacksonville received the opening kickoff on a beautiful day in Houston. Game temperature is 59 degrees and the roof is open. David Garrard rests this week as Quinn Gray has taken the start.

Michael Wright outlines the remainder of the Jaguars lineup changes in his blog located here.

Texans vs. Jaguars

The game is meaningless but the Jaguars are ready to battle the Texans in Houston. Will the Jaguars pull off the win? How long will the starters play if any? Give your comments below.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Caption the Raiders: 4th down

The Jaguars secured the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs defeating the Oakland Raiders 49-11 on Sunday at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Read the caption from each photo below then write your own caption for the photo and fill in the speech bubble. Please remember to keep them clean though.

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle #99 Warren Sapp (right) chases down and yells at Unmpire #53 Garth DeFelice who marches off one of Sapp's 3 successive unportsmanlike conduct penalties with 21 seconds to play in the second quarter during the Jacksonville Jaguars 49-11 victory over the Raiders Sunday December 23, 2007 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the Raiders: 3rd down

Jacksonville Jaguars #29 Brian Williams, and # 25 Reggie Nelson, break up a pass intended for Raider # 84 Jerry Porter in the second quarter of play. Jacksonville Jaguars last home football NFL game of the 2007 season, against the Oakland Raiders at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sunday, December 23, 2007. (Don Burk, The Florida Times-Union)

Caption the Raiders: 2nd down

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver #18 Matt Jones (top) hauls in a 37 yard touchdown pass over Oakland Raiders cornerback #27 Fabian Washington with 6:25 to play in the third quarter during the Jags 49-11 victory Sunday December 23, 2007 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the Raiders: 1st down

Jacksonville Jaguars running back #28 Fred Taylor celebrates his 62 yard touchdown run with 12:16 to play in the first quarter during the Jags 49-11 victory over the Oakland Raiders Sunday December 23, 2007 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Jacksonville defeats the Raiders

Jacksonville rolled over the Oakland Raiders Sunday winning 49-11. With the win and Cleveland's loss Jacksonville secures a playoff berth and the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. The Jaguars advance to 11-4 on the season. Jacksonville travels to Houston to finish the regular season next week.

All I want for Christmas is...

With Christmas and New Years around the corner, everyone had the holidays on their minds during today’s game.

While most Jaguars fans are wishing for Super Bowl rings in their stockings, some are a little more specific with their wishes. Flagler College student Dan Allen is hoping his gift will be refrigerator material. “I just want good grades,” said Allen.

Fellow Jaguars fan Pat Sibley wanted a little more than most fans for his holiday wishes. “I want Peyton Manning to go down in flames and Heidi Clum to come over to my house,” said Sibley. Sibley added that his New Year’s resolution is to “go green.”

Jax Beach resident Carie Hanlay had a simpler wish for her beloved Jaguars. “I’m not worried about the Super Bowl right now, I just want the Jaguars to go to the playoffs,” said Hanlay.

--Ryan Reaves/Jacksonville.com

Gray's second TD pass

I feel like a broken record today with all the Jaguars' touchdowns. Quinn Gray scored his second touchdown of the game on a pass to Richard Angulo. Jacksonville now leads 49-3 with 4:50 left in the game.

Another Jaguars TD

Another touchdown puts the Jaguars up 42-3 over the Oakland Raiders. Quinn Gray found Reggie Williams on a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Reggie Williams surpassed Jimmy Smith's single season touchdown reception record with 9 on that reception.

Gray takes over

With the Jaguars leading 35-3 nearing the end of the third quarter David Garrard sat down and let Quinn Gray take over. Garrard went 11-18 for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Garrard registered a 113.0 quarterback rating.

Tickets distributed

Today's Oakland game saw 66,905 tickets distributed. Attendance figures are not announced at the stadium.

Jones-Drew over 2,000; Matt Jones scores TD

The Jaguars continue to break records this season. Maurice Jones-Drew broke 2,000 all-purpose yards for the second consecutive season.

The drive ended in David Garrard finding Matt Jones on a 37-yard touchdown at the front corner of the endzone. Jones used his height to pull the ball in for the touchdown.

Jacksonville leads 35-3.

5x Taylor

Make it five. Five straight 100-yard rushing games for Fred Taylor. On a 25-yard up the middle Taylor broke 100-yards on the day.

Oakland self-destructs before halftime

Oakland's team is self-destructing late in the first half. After a Illegal use of hands penalty on the Jaguars, Oakland accepted. After some confusion Warren Sapp had three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and was disqualified from the game. In addition, Derrick Burgess had another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

After all the penalties, David Garrard threw an interception in the endzone that was returned 36-yards by Oakland's Kirk Morrison. The half ended on a Josh McCown fumble.

Jacksonville leads at halftime 28-3.

Oakland threw their second interception of the day, this time to Terry Cousin. Cousin didn't fumble the ball though and returned it 9-yards. David Garrard found Reggie Williams on the first play after the interception for 28-yards. That play brought Jacksonville to the six yard line. After a 2-yard Taylor run, David Garrard took the ball himself for a 2-yard touchdown.

Jacksonville now leads 28-3 and have scored on four of five possessions.

Punt return lateral

A lateral on a punt return gave Jacksonville an easy seven points. After pinned deep in their own territory, Oakland punted to the Jacksonville 42 where Dennis Northcutt lateraled to Scott Starks who took the ball 56-yards to the Oakland 2-yard line. A quick pass to Greg Jones gives the Jaguars a 21-3 lead.

The 56-yard return is the fifth longest in Jaguars team history and the longest since Bobby Shaw's 69-yard return in 2002.

Oakland scores field goal

A Jaguars interception then fumble led to a 41-yard Oakland field goal early in the second quarter.

Reggie Nelson interception the mass intended for Zach Miller but fumbled. Miller recovered the ball giving Oakland the chance at a 41-yard field goal bringing the score to 14-3.

Jones-Drew scores TD

Two possessions and two touchdowns for the Jaguars puts them up 14-0. Maurice Jones-Drew took a quick pass 43-yards to the Oakland 25 and two plays later ran 14-yards up the middle for the touchdown.

Jacksonville leads 14-0.

Taylor takes first play 62-yards

On Jacksonville's first play from scrimmage Fred Taylor ran up the middle for a 62-yard touchdown run. With the run Taylor surpassed Ricky Waters for 17th place on the all-time rushing leaders list and broke Jimmy Smith's franchise record for career all-purpose yards with 12,875.

Jaguars vs. Raiders

The Jaguars are set to battle the Oakland Raiders and secure their playoff spot today at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Below are the inactives for today's game.

Jacksonville:
15 WR John Broussard
22 RB LaBrandon Toefield
31 CB Aaron Glenn
54 LB Mike Peterson
77 G Uche Nwaneri
78 OL Tutan Reyes
94 DE Jeremy Mincey
97 DE Reggie Hayward

Oakland:
8 QB Daunte Culpepper
16 QB Andrew Walter (3rd QB)
17 WR Tim Dwight
25 RB Justin Fargas
28 S Rashad Baker
35 CB John Bowie
75 OT Mario Henderson
95 DT Josh Shaw

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Player of week honors

Jaguars players are up for a variety of "Player of the week" honors after their win against the Steelers Sunday.

Jack Del Rio is nominated for the Motorola coach of the week. David Garrard is up for the FedEx Air Player of the Week. Finally, Fred Taylor is nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.

Fans can vote on each of the players at NFL.com.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Caption the game: 4th down

Jacksonville won their second straight game, this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 29-22.

The Jaguars had over 400-yards of total offense including over 200 total rushing yards.

Read the caption from each photo below then write your own caption for the photo and fill in the speech bubble. Please remember to keep them clean though.

Jacksonville Jaguars nickelback #21 Terry Cousin (bottom) upends Pittsburgh Steelers tight end #83 Heath Miller one yard short of a first down on a 4th and 7 play with 53 seconds to play in the game. The defensive stop gave the jags offense the football on downs and they then ran out the clock for the Jags 29-22 victory Sunday December 16, 2007 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the game: 3rd down

Jacksonville Jaguars running back #32 Maurice Jones-Drew signals first down after a crucial 20 yard run on a 3rd and 11 draw play with 2:35 to play in the game. The play kept the Jags game-winning touchdown drive alive during the Jags 29-22 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday December 16, 2007 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the game: 2nd down

Jacksonville Jaguars running back #28 Fred Taylor (center) breaks off a game-winning 12 yard touchdown run with 1:57 to play in the game between Pittsburgh Steelers defenders #23 Tyrone Carter (left) and linebacker #50 Larry Foote during the Jags 29-22 victory Sunday December 16, 2007 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Caption the game: 1st down

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver #85 Nate Washington (left) hauls in a 30 yard touchdown catch behind Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback #29 Brian Williams with 5:46 to play in the game. The play and following successful two-point conversion attempt tied the score at 22-22 during the Jags 29-22 victory Sunday December 16, 2007 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)

Jaguars win 29-22

The Steelers lose their first and last home game of the season against the Jaguars 29-22. The Jaguars had over 400 yards total offense and over 220 yards of rushing.

Jacksonville moves to 10-4 on the season but with Tennessee's win have to wait until next week to clinch a playoff berth.

Rushing adds more points

The Jaguars rushing game has been the defining force against the Steelers. Taylor has had 147-yards on the ground and Maurice Jones-Drew has rushed for 69. Add David Garrard's nine-yards rushing and you have 225 total rushing yards for the Jaguars.

Passing wise, Jacksonville has had 197-yards giving the Jaguars over 400 total offensive yards. Jacksonville leads 29-22.

Jaguars-Steelers tied

Jacksonville thought they had the game in hand up 22-7 but an interception has given the Steelers some momentum. A touchdown after the interception brought the Steelers to within eight. On their next drive the Steelers marched down the field getting the touchdown and adding some trickery to score the two-point conversion.

The Jaguars and Steelers are now tied with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter and snow continuing to fall.

Taylor again breaks 100-yards

Fred Taylor just went over 100-yards for his fourth straight game. On an 11-yard carry in the fourth quarter Taylor broke 100-yards. Today hasn't shown Taylor in any 80-yard touchdown runs so far but instead has relied on hard hitting up the middle runs. Taylor's long today is 38-yards and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Garrrad intercepted; Steelers score

The swirling winds inside Heinz Field today gave the Steelers the chance to add some points. David Garrard's pass for Greg Jones looked to get caught in the wind and went over Jones' head into the hands of Anthony Smith. Smith took the ball back 50-yards to the Jacksonville 12-yard line.

After the interception Roethlisberger found Hines Ward in the endzone for the touchdown. The Steelers get the extra point and trail by 8, 22-14.

55-yard touchdown reception

David Garrard didn't want to spend much time on the field after their last drive of 20-yards. The defense held the Steelers to three and out and on the Jaguars ensuing drive David Garrard buys time and launches one 55-yards to Dennis Northcutt on the first play for the touchdown.

Scobee pulls the extra point resulting in the second missed extra point attempt for the Jaguars. Jacksonville now leads 22-7.

Williams adds another TD

Using over half of the third quarter, Jacksonville meticulously marched down the field resulting in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Williams. A bad snap is lost by Adam Podlesh causing the extra point attempt to fail leaving the Jaguars up 16-7.

The drive lasted 20 plays and 74-yards taking 9:40 off the game clock. The 20 plays is the Jaguars longest drive in team history.

If there is one thing Jacksonville has improved upon this season it is clock management.

Wilford scores first TD of season

Ernest Wilford scored his first touchdown of the season late in the second quarter of the game. In typical Jaguars clock management, the team went 53-yards in 10 plays taking 5:06 off the clock.

Garrard found Ernest Wilford for a 12-yard touchdown reception putting the Jaguars up 10-7 with just over 1:00 remaining in the first half.

Offense stuck

After the Jaguars first drive the team hasn't been able to put much else together. Four straight punts plus being 0-5 on third downs have kept the Jaguars scoreless since their first drive. Defensively the Jaguars are doing decent except for the control of Willie Parker. Parker is the only shining light for the Steelers' offense currently.

Steelers score TD

On fourth and inches on the Jaguars own 18-yard line Del Rio considered going for the first down. He decided against it and a high snap barely got off of Podlesh's foot and went a total of 13-yards giving the Steelers excellent field position to start.

Roethlisberger and the Steelers were able to convert on the good field position with an 18-yard pass to Heath Miller putting the Steelers up 7-3.

1st quarter ends

The Jaguars' defense has held their own in the first quarter of play. Pittsburgh has had three possessions and three punts. The Steelers have had only 24 total yards plus two sacks resulting in -1 passing yards.

The snow is still falling, the Jaguars are driving and still hold the lead, 3-0, as the first quarter comes to a close.

Jaguars score first

On the first drives of the game Jacksonville's defense forces the Steelers to go three and out. Jacksonville is able to put together two first downs and setup Josh Scobee for a 36-yard field goal putting the Jaguars up 3-0.

Snowstorm in PIttsburgh

The Steelers received the kickoff to start the game in Pittsburgh. The Steeelrs certainly have a home field advantage today between the Pittsburgh field that has been anything but a field the past few weeks and a snowstorm that moved in just before kickoff.

Take a look at Michael Wright's blog for a nice cell phone image of the field prior to the game.

Steelers vs. Jaguars

Prep football is over for Jacksonville with both Nease and St. Augustine losing in the State Championships as you read earlier this weekend.

Now we focus back to pro football and the Jaguars traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. What are your pregame predictions? Leave your comments in the comments below.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Final score

Final score:

Washington 23
Nease 17

Later tonight we will post video highlights and photos from the game

4 minutes

Only 4 minutes remaining in the game, which gives Nease few chances to come back on top.

The score is still 23-15 with the Tornadoes on top, but Nease just got the ball, and are looking at 1st-and-10 on their own 28.

Torrance Moise down

Washington's quarterback, Torrance Moise, looks to be hurt.

Moise, while he did start this game, is not the Tornadoe's first-string QB. Their first QB was hurt earlier this season, and Moise has filled in more most of their games.

With Moise out, Brandon Harris is in.

3rd Quarter

The third quarter was a great one for Nease, and it's given them a much-needed boost. The Panthers are still leading, but Nease has closed the gap, and the score is now:

As we head into the final 12 minutes of play, Stachitas is still having problems judging the speed of Washington's defense, but he is adjusting.

Washington 23
Nease 15

End of the first half

At the end of the first half, the score is still:

Washington 23 Nease 7

Washington has 346 yards of total offense. Torrance Moise has thrown for 245 of those, the longest being 69 yards. Eduardo Clements has rushed for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns and caught 3 passes for 33 yards and 1 TD. On the defense, Johnathan Jackson has 2.5 sacks.

Nease still has fewer than 100 yard total offense. Stachitas has been sacked 5 times, and the longest play has been a 29-yard run by Matt Leighty. The defense hasn't sacked Torrance Moise at all, and they seemed to be unused to the incredibly fast Washington offense.

In general, Washington has shown themselves to be a faster, more athletic team than Nease.

Before the game began, I heard a fan say: "This is going to be a battle of the well coached team versus the athletic team." I wasn't sure exactly which team was which at the time, and I'm still not sure, because Washington seems to have both.

Sacked

Stachitas has been sacked again, this time by #50 Kambriel Willis for a loss of 7 yards.

Stachitas

Ted Stachitas has won The Playbook's Player of the Week several times this season, but he's just not showing any of his usual skill and focus today. He's having trouble finding his receivers, and it seems like he's always under pressure - he's constantly being chased out of the pocket.

Without a big second half, Nease might be facing another Class 4A State Championship loss this season.

Tornadoes score

To cap a strong drive, Washington has scored again, this time on a 13-yard pass to Eduardo Clements. Drive stats: 54 yards in 8 plays in just over 3 minutes.

Diaz makes the extra point, and it's now:

Washington 23
Nease 7

Strong showing

Washington is in the middle of another strong drive to the end zone, the most recent play a 13-yard run.

Also, I don't know what Washington's QB is doing at the line, but it has caused Nease to false-start at least twice, and with they way they've been playing, Nease can't afford those kind of penalties.

Eeek

In an immediate answer to Nease's scoring drive, Washington's Thearon Collier grabbed a short pass by Moise and took it 69 yards to Nease's 2-yard line.

Eduardo Clements pushed it the final 2 yards into the end zone. With the extra point by Oscar Diaz, the score is now:

Washington 16
Nease 7

Nease score

That didn't take long.

The first quarter was a weak one for Nease, but after only 2 minutes into the second quarter, Stachitas drives the Panthers into the end zone on a beautiful screen play to #20 Andrew Barnes.

Score is now:

Washington 9
Nease 7

First quarter stats

First quarter stats:

Nease had only 7 yards total offense in the first quarter, contrasted by Washington's 194. Stachitas has been sacked 3 times for a loss of 26 yards.

Washington's Moise has been sacked once, but has still managed 106 passing yards, one of which was a 57-yard bomb to Davon Johnson.

The second quarter just begun, and Neaseis out strong. Two very long throws by Stachitas already has Nease down at the 16 and Nease is threatening in a big way.

Sacked

A huge sack by Nease's Frank Dambeck to end the first quarter. Dambeck wrapped up Torrance Moise as he was trying to come out of a 4th-and32 on his own 21.

At the end of the first quarter, the score remains:

Washington 9
Nease 0

So far

With just under 1 minute left in the first quarter, Washington has been completely in control of this game.

Nease's offense has done almost nothing, and if it hadn't been for a strong defensive showing in the red zone, Washington might be ahead by even more.

Stopped again

Only two plays after Nease's defense stopped a strong Washington drive, Stachitas is sacked in his own end zone, giving Washington 2 more points.

The game is now 9-0

Nease's turn

Nease had no answer for Washington on this drive.

Nease is being forced to punt from their own 26.

Washington scores first

Washington Halfback Eduardo Clements just scored on a 2-yard run, putting the Tornadoes on board first, 7-0

Six minutes remaining in the first quarter

First drive

Nease shut down a strong first drive from Washington.

Washington QB Torrance Moise led his team down to the Nease 23, but a strong Nease defense kept them out of the end zone.

Nease now has the ball on their own 20.

Before the game

St. Johns County football is looking for some redemption today, and it's up to Nease High.

It's 80 degrees and sunny, and while rain is threatening, so far it's a perfect day for football.

The coin toss was just decided, and Washington will get the ball.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Final

Final score:

Naples 17
St. Augustine 10

Stay tuned for video and photos from the game.

Driving

St. Augustine is trying to come back.

Kawaun Jakes has completed two impressive throws, both for first downs, and the Yellow Jackets are now on their 48 yard line.

With 7:11 remaining, St. Augustine is hoping for a big play.

Next play

It hasn't gotten any better for St. Augustine.

Only a few plays after that safety, Naples scores on a 34 yard run. A two-point conversion makes it:

Naples 17
St. Augustine 10

4th quarter

Naples just put 2 points on the board.

Facing a 4th-and-20, St. Augustine fumbled the punt, and kicker Caleb Sturgis kicked the ball into his end zone.

The motion was called a Safety, and the score is now

St. Augustine 10
Naples 9

Start of the 4th

Frankly, it was a rather slow 3rd quarter for both teams.

St. Augustine remains in front 10-7, and neither team added many yards to their halftime totals.

The once overcast day has turned completely sunny, and the temperature hovers in the low 80s (ah, Florida in December.)

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, St. Augustine has the ball on their 17 yard line, and it's 3rd-and-10

1st half stats

What a difference a quarter makes.

Naples was completely in charge of the 1st quarter, but St. Augustine has come back on top.

The Yellow Jackets had 10 first downs and 160 total offensive yards in the first half.

The Golden Eagles had 7 first downs and 120 total offensive yards in the first half.

Kawaun Jakes has completed 8 of 15 passes for 130 yards, including one 44-yard bomb. Rashard Hall has been on the other end of half of those passes, racking up 90 yards and 1 touchdown.

Craig Wingate, the Naples quarterback, is 2-for-6 passing with 17 yards. Rushing, however, has been Naples' strong point. They have 103 total rushing yards to St. Augustine's 30

Halftime

End of the first half.

Naples threatened to score in the last few seconds, but a failed field-goal keeps the score

St. Augustine 10
Naples 7

In other news, halftime is always my favorite time of a game.

During the game, fans from both teams are segregated to their side of the stadium, but once halftime hits, and the mad dash to concessions begin, both sides get a chance to mingle, gloat or threaten.

I think I'll go watch.

Touchdown St. Augustine

What do you get when you combine Kawuan Jakes, Rashard Hall, and a 26-yard pass?

A St. Augustine touchdown.

Just like that, and with 1:50 remaining, St. Augustine is on top, 10-7

The band

No, not The Band, but with 2 minutes remaining in the first half, St. Augustine's yellow-plumed band are waiting on the sidelines.

Four minutes remaining

Naples did nothing with their last drive, and a 4th-and-5 forced them to punt. Rashard Hall pulled in the punt and made it forward only a few yards.

St. Augustine is now at their 37 yard line.

No goal

Those four downs just melted away, and after a sack on third down, the Yellow Jackets were forced to punt.

Naples has the ball, but a holding call put them back at their 10 yard line

The announcer

After languishing in their side of the field for a long time, St. Augustine is finally across the 50 and with a fresh set of downs in front of them, are threatening the Naples end zone.

And with a kicker like Caleb Sturgis, even being at the 50 puts them in field goal range.

Also, I don't know what's wrong with the P.A. system, but the announcer sounds like a robot.

First quarter stats

Judging by the stats, St. Augustine should be in control of the game.

At the end of the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets had 3 first downs, racked up 78 offensive yards in 16 plays.

Naples had 1 first down, and only 33 yards of offense, but thanks to the big interception by James May, they still lead 7-3.

End of 1st quarter

The first quarter just ended, and it's time to make way for the TV commercials.

While both teams get a minute to breathe, Naples has so far been dominant in the game. Their defense has been strong and their offensive is solid.

But the start of the 2nd quarter is a fresh start for St. Augustine, and the Yellow Jackets are looking at 3rd-and-14.

3 on the board

With 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter, St. Augustine's Caleb Sturgis drills a 51 yard field goal and the Yellow Jackets are finally on the board.

Interception by Naples

A big play for Naples.

#25 Jamison May intercepted a pass by St. Augustine's Kawaun Jakes. May ran the interception back 52 yards.

Once in the Red Zone, Naples Running Back Carlos Hyde finished an impressive drive with a 6-yard touchdown, and Naples now leads, 7 - 0

Kick-off

The Eagles won the kickoff and chose to receive the ball. However, a series of blunders forced Naples to burn two time-outs in less than 3 minutes.

With 9 minutes remaining in the first quarter, the game is still scoreless.

Welcome from the Citrus Bowl

Things are literally warming up here at the Citrus Bowl. Both St. Augustine and Naples are on the field stretching, and both teams have impressive cheering sections in place.

Also, this is not Kevin Basarab *gasp*, this is The Playbook co-host, Jonathan Bennett. But don't worry, Kevin is largely unharmed and will be covering the game down on the field.

Stay tuned for updates as the game begins (1 p.m.) and progresses through afternoon.