SEBASTIAN — It was only fitting that Jensen Beach cornerback Mike McBride intercepted a pass by Sebastian River quarterback Sloan Drummonds in overtime to end Friday’s Kickoff Classic at Shark Stadium. The defenses truly dominated as the Falcons came away with a 3-0 road victory.
“It (the interception) just felt great,” said McBride, a senior. “We worked hard the whole game. We could have played better. We missed some opportunities.”
The Falcons almost squandered an opportunity on their first and what proved to be the only possession they would need in overtime. Both teams were given possession of the football at the opposition’s 10-yard line in the Kansas tiebreaker format. Ties were abolished several years ago in Florida high school football — even in Kickoff Classics which are considered exhibitions and do not count in the regular-season standings.
Jensen Beach’s Xavier Preston was stopped for no gain on a first-down run up the middle. Sebastian River’s Zach Finnegan sacked quarterback Alex Ogle for a 5-yard loss on second down, and Ogle’s slant pass to the left side fell short on third down.
Connor Ravelo, who had missed a 25-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, converted a 31-yard field goal this time around to give Jensen Beach the lead. His kick barely cleared the crossbar of the goal post in the north end zone.
“That field goal was nerve wracking,” McBride said.
Sebastian River took possession at the Jensen Beach 10 with a chance to win it with a touchdown or extend the overtime with a field goal. It got neither as Nick Cooper was held to 1 yard on a run to the left and pushed back for a 1-yard loss on another run to the left. After a timeout by the Sharks, Drummonds’ pass to the right was intercepted by McBride at the Falcons’ 5 as the game came to a close.
“I thought we played great on defense,” said Sebastian River coach Kevin Pettis, who replaced longtime Sharks coach Randy Bethel in the spring. “This was not an 0-for team that we played. They have some highly touted kids on their team.”
Jensen Beach, which fell to Merritt Island 28-0 last season in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs, nearly won Friday’s Kickoff Classic in the final seconds. Instead of having Ravelo attempt a 40-yard field goal with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation, the Falcons changed their mind after the Sharks called a timeout to let Ravelo think about the ensuing attempt. Jensen Beach coach John Fey also thought about it for a few seconds and decided to go for the touchdown on fourth down from the Sebastian River 24.
Ogle, who was under pressure on a hard rush by the Sharks, found Chris Favoroso open just inside the end zone on the right side for what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown. The score was negated as the Falcons were called for a false start and penalized 5 yards. Under pressure once more on the final play of regulation, Ogle fumbled the football and Alex Arteaga recovered the fumble to force overtime.
“The defense was a positive,” Pettis said. “But, the defense still has some things to work on. Pressuring the quarterback is always the plan, and we better be able to do that next week.”
Next Friday’s season opener will be the annual ”Dollars for Scholars” game against Vero Beach. Even though the game will be considered a home game for Sebastian River, the contest will be played at the Citrus Bowl at Vero Beach High School.
The Sharks held the Falcons to 166 yards of total offense. Ogle completed 9 of 27 passes for 107 yards. Jensen Beach had 59 yards rushing on 28 carries. Josh Abel rushed for 35 yards on six carries, and Christian East compiled 32 yards on 12 carries. The Falcons were penalized 15 times for 126 yards.
“That flag (to wave off the potential touchdown) is what it is,” Jensen Beach coach John Fey said. “The kids didn’t quit, and that’s what I’m most excited about. It’s fun and I can’t wait to get to Monday. I have to give Sebastian River a lot of credit. Their defense was very physical against our offensive line.”
Sebastian River quarterback Sloan Drummonds completed 4 of 22 passes for 93 yards and one interception. The Sharks were held to 49 yards rushing on 32 carries. Sebastian River had 142 yards of total offense.
Cooper led the Sharks in rushing with 49 yards on 17 carries. Damian Strong caught two passes for 55 yards.
Matt Jones, who left the game with a shoulder injury after powering for a 4-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage to open the second half, finished with 18 yards rushing on four carries. He also had one reception for 34 yards.
“He (Jones) had a stinger in his shoulder,” Pettis said. “We pulled him out because we need him for the season. … Our offense will come along. We have until Week 4 to get it right.”
That’s when Sebastian River will open play in Class 7A, District 12 with a home game against Viera. The other teams in the five-team district alignment are Martin County, Eau Gallie and Melbourne.
