By Beth Jones
The Hornets squared off against the Jaguars Friday night in the first round of the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs. The Yulee High School football team hosted the West Florida Jags.
The visitors were the victors. West Florida (7-4) eliminated Yulee (8-3) with a 24-16 win.
Jackson Visconti completed 20 of 35 pass attempts for 389 yards and a touchdown. Preston Matricardi reeled in eight receptions for 127 yards. Jayden Timmon had three for 46, and Turtle Ricks and Jayden Bishop had 27 yards in receptions apiece.
Tre Vazquez led the rushing attack for Yulee with three carries for 54 yards and a TD. Timmon had six for 15, and Corbin Fletcher rushed four times for 24 yards.
JJ Etienne had 10 solo tackles and a pair of assists and Jaison Brown had eight solo stops and four assists to lead the Hornet defense. Teagan Rebane, Shamar Gibbs and Vazquez had eight total tackles each. Brown and Calvin McCardell had a quarterback sack apiece. Gibbs intercepted a pass, Donovan Attaway recovered a fumble, and Jaiden Wright caused a fumble.
Yulee won its first seven games of the season, and the Hornets made the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
