The Ponte Vedra Sharks fell to the Nease Panthers 38-28 on Friday, August 22. The Panthers seem to have picked up right where they left off, now having won three in a row against the Sharks.
Nease has a young offensive line this season, but that did not seem to slow them down against Ponte Vedra. Junior running back Enrique Ordonez rushed for 194 yards on 18 carries, and sophomore quarterback Aiden Phifer passed for 261 yards. Phifer completed 19 of his 30 passes and rushed for a touchdown.
Ponte Vedra did not make it on to the scoreboard until the second quarter when senior quarterback Cole Rosendahl rushed for a touchdown making the score 24-7. Rosendahl passed for 339 yards on the night.
Nease took their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter and showed they still have some maturing to do. They racked up the penalties and Ponte Vedra tried to take advantage. The Sharks mounted a bit of a comeback in the fourth quarter adding on 14 points, but the Panthers defense led by Jacob Curry, Noah Hodge, Kru Casey and Devon Wentley proved to be too much for them. The Panthers defense recorded five sacks on Rosendahl on the night.
This is the fourth time in the past five years that Nease has won the Battle of the Bridge.
Nease will take on the Creekside Knights this Friday, August 29 at home at 7 p.m.
Ponte Vedra will be at home as well to take on Bartram Trail at 7 p.m.
