By Beth Jones
It was a narrow defeat for the Pirates, who lost their fourth game in a row on Friday night. The Fernandina Beach High School football team (5-4) was edged by host Clay 35-34.
The visitors struck first, with FBHS taking a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Ethan Watts grabbed an 8-yard pass from Ian Miller for a touchdown, and Beckham Rohe connected with Aydin Poe for a 33-yard TD pass.
The Clay Blue Devils got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a one-yard TD run, cutting the Pirates’ lead to 13-7. The Pirates responded with an 8-yard TD run by D’ante Simms, going up 19-7. Clay closed the gap with a 24-yard TD pass, and the Blue Devils trailed the Pirates 19-14 at halftime.
The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter, with Clay taking a 22-19 lead with a 7-yard TD run. Poe hauled in a 38-yard TD pass from Miller to retake the lead 26-22.
The Pirates relinquished the lead once more in the fourth quarter, when Clay scored from a yard out. The Blue Devils led 29-26. Rohe was on the receiving end of a TD, reeling in a 7-yard pass from Miller. Poe was Miller’s target for a successful two-point conversion. FBHS led 34-29.
Clay scored the game-winning TD on an 18-yard pass. The two-point attempt failed. The Blue Devils held on for a 35-34 victory.
Miller completed 17 of 26 passes for 260 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Poe (123 yards and two TDs), Rohe (77 yards and a score) and Watts (57 yards and a TD) had five receptions apiece. Simms had two for 13, and Khordel White had one for 16 yards.
Traivon Martin had 25 rushing yards to lead the ground attack. Rohe had one for 16, and Simms had five for 11 and a TD.
Cayden McKinstrie had six solo tackles and eight assists and Kevin Ortiz had six stops and seven assists to anchor the Pirate defense. Poe had five tackles and four assists, and Rohe had two tackles and four assists.
The Pirates cap the regular season at home Friday with the Impact Christian Academy Lions. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Purchase tickets to Friday’s matchup at https://gofan.co/event/4052012?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=maxpreps&utm_campaign=team-schedule-list&utm_content=pre. Your phone is your ticket.
bjones@nassaunewsline.net
