SEBATIAN — There was blood, sweat and tears for every point of Sebastian River High School’s 26-21 win as the Sharks squared off against Port St. Lucie High School Jaguars during a home game Oct. 12.
There were no easy gains as each team seemed to answer their opponents’ plays with scoring opportunities of their own.
The game started with Sebastian River scoring a safety almost immediately and the give and take contest only gained momentum from there.
Sharks running back Nick Cooper put six more points on the board with a run up the sideline past Jaguars’ defenders.
The Jags struck back in short order, with quarterback J.T. Juste running the ball in for a touchdown on an option play.
Juste’s ability to adapt to fluid situations made it seem like victory would be snatched from the Sharks’ jaws as the Jaguars were able to gain the lead 14 – 12 just before the end of the first half.
There was no time for Port St. Lucie to celebrate the lead.
Sebastian River began the second half with a score 19 – 14 as Sharks fullback Octavian Jefferson scored a touchdown on a run.
Consistent gains made by running back Nate Pryor put Sebastian River in scoring position throughout the third and fourth quarters. Pryor would go on to put six points on the board off of a 40-yard run in early in the last quarter.
The Jaguars would not go down without a fight and soon edged another touchdown past Sharks defenders.
The game ended with Sebastian River running down the clock on a midfield possession. The final score was a 26 – 21 victory for the Sharks.
Sebastian River coach Randy Bethel said the game was a little too close for his liking.
“We gave up 21 points,” Bethel said. “I think what worried me was the athleticism of their quarterback.”
Juste is a very impressive, all-around football player, he said.
The Sharks face a district matchup against Palm Beach Lakes High School in an “away” game Oct. 19.
“When we think about next week’s game we know that we have to go on the road,” Bethel said. “We’re just getting ourselves ready for Palm Beach Lakes.”
Having watched the film on their upcoming opponents past games, the Sharks will have to do there what they’ve been doing at home, he said.
“Right now, we’re just getting a bit of continuity with our running game,” Bethel said. “We’re working on getting the chemistry right.”
