Behind six turnovers and a multitude of crucial penalties, P.K. Yonge lost 37-0 to district rival Trinity Catholic on Friday night, giving the Celtics the 1A-District 4 title and putting the Blue Wave in a difficult position to make the postseason.
The Blue Wave, who initially played strong defense early, fumbled three times, threw three interceptions, turned the ball over on downs once and gave up a safety, which eventually led to a running-clock loss.
“Honestly, we played our worst game that we can possibly play,” said P.K. Yonge coach Willie Jackson Jr. “To my kids, not to make excuses, but it’s our first game in nearly a month. First game since Oct. 4. We’re not that kind of team yet that you cannot play.”
The dominating loss looked promising at the beginning, though, for the Blue Wave, which was riding a three-game winning streak.
P.K. Yonge recovered a fumble on the game’s second play near the 36-yard line but turned the ball over on downs four plays later. The Celtics would go on a nine-play, 68-yard touchdown drive immediately after.
The teams traded turnovers on the ensuing drives with the Blue Wave fumbling and the Celtics turning it over on downs before P.K. Yonge’s AJ Powers threw his first interception of the night, which set up another rushing touchdown for the Celtics.
Bad went worse for the Blue Wave immediately after when a promising drive turned into a 3rd-and-46 after a multitude of penalties and a sack put P.K. Yonge inside its own 10-yard line. Trinity Catholic immediately forced a safety.
P.K. Yonge, with a late opportunity to add points before the half, fumbled the ball, which was returned by Trinity Catholic’s Kyler Pool for a long touchdown with four seconds left before the break.
The Celtics forced another interception, this time by Sean Thornton, which put Trinity Catholic on P.K. Yonge’s 31-yard line and led to another Celtics’ touchdown.
The teams traded turnovers with interceptions before P.K. Yonge turned the ball over on downs, and Trinity Catholic added another score, making it a running clock for nearly the entire fourth quarter.
The Blue Wave, which saw an exodus of graduates and transfers, have sent out a largely brand-new team where inexperience runs rampant. Jackson said it played a major role in the loss.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, so when certain things like this happen, now I’m just trying to keep it together,” Jackson said. “Quarterback, he’s flustered, everyone’s flustered, and they started dropping the ball, fumbling the ball. Just looking around like deer in headlights because they aren’t seasoned.”
With the loss, P.K. Yonge falls to 5-3 on the season. The Blue Wave will conclude the regular season next week at home against Impact Christian Academy (Jacksonville).
Monday, Oct. 21
Gainesville 36, Lake Weir (Ocala) 8
Friday, Oct. 25
Buchholz 38, Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 37 OT
Eastside 29, North Marion (Citra) 0
Newberry 28, Williston 14
Vanguard (Ocala) 47, Gainesville 3
Bradford (Starke) 44, Santa Fe (Alachua) 0
Lake Weir (Ocala) 36, Oak Hall 15
Union County (Lake Butler) 38, Hudson 7
Columbia (Lake City) 49, Clay (Green Cove Springs) 13
Fort White 48, Hilliard 0
Bell 17, Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) 9
Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 37, P.K. Yonge 0
Branford 35, Jefferson County (Monticello) 22
Suwannee (Live Oak) 42, Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) 14
Keswick Christian (St. Petersburg) 52, Saint Francis Catholic Academy 14
Christ’s Church Academy (Jacksonville) 48, Bronson 0
West Nassau (Callahan) 47, Dixie County (Cross City) 0
Trenton 50, Hamilton County (Jasper) 46
Palatka 40, Keystone Heights 0
OFF – Hawthorne, Chiefland
