Creekside 52, Nease 29
Sophomore wide receiver Jack Goodrich caught three long touchdown passes from senior quarterback Tai Lavatai as the Creekside offense continued to roll, pulling away in the second half for a 52-29 home victory over St. Johns County rival Nease (0-5).
Creekside (4-1) was led by Lavatai’s two rushing TDs and three TD passes to Goodrich, who totaled 185 yards on three TD receptions and is averaging 39 yards per catch this season.With the score tied at 21 late in the first half, Creekside went into the half ahead 24-21 on Brandon Marchand’s 32-yard field goal.
After holding Nease to a three and out to start the second half, Lavatai found Goodrich open over the middle for a 74-yard score. Creekside then recovered an on-side kick and scored three plays later on Jalen Hines’ 30-yard run for a 38-21 lead.
Creekside forced six Nease turnovers (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, on-side kick recovery). Senior DB Conan Mueller had two interceptions, sophomore DB Jack O’Brien had a fumble recovery on a botched Nease fake punt and an interception. Senior LB Evan Wiley had a fumble recovery.
Lavatai has accounted for 23 TDs this season (18 passing, five rushing). Goodrich has 15 catches (seven for TDs) for 589 yards, including four TD grabs of more than 60 yards in the last two games.“ Jack Goodrich has tremendous ball skills when the ball is in the air. He’s also a baseball player, so those skills really show when he gets a chance on those long passes from Tai,” Creekside coach Sean McIntyre said.Nease junior QB Joseph Nieves rushed for 121 yards and three TDs and passed for 117 yards.
Creekside’s 4-1 start is its best since starting 6-1 in 2011 when the Knights went 8-4 and advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Creekside leads the series 5-4 against Nease.
The two schools are located 9 miles apart.The Knights begin District 3-7A play next week at home against rival Bartram Trail. Nease has lost six consecutive games dating to the 2017 season finale.
Source: Friday night roundup: Creekside, St. Joseph roll to victories