By Marco Martinez
Contributing Writer
Twitter – @MarcoJMartinez_
P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) Blue Wave
Coach: Marcus McDonald
Record: 7-1
Key Players: #1 Jacoby Byrd (JR., WR/FS), #2 Israel Wilcox (SR., RB/CB), #4 Carter Kutchko (SR., QB), #6 Pernell Sylvester (SR., RB/OLB), #7 Jacari Byrd (JR., WR/SS), #10 Quintin Williams (SR, WR), #17 Deontae Mavin (JR., WR/DB)
Outlook: Head Coach Marcus McDonald is exceeding all expectations in his first year leading the Blue Wave. Typically, in a rebuilding organization, it takes some time to amp up the trust between a new head coach and graduating seniors. But, McDonald has built trust and created a successful chemistry within the team, coaching staff and of course the school. Their last game against the Trenton Tigers resulted in a 48-13 victory that made it five straight wins for the Blue Wave. Furthermore, these graduating seniors will definitely be looking forward to getting their sixth straight win against the Branford Buccaneers tonight in their last home game of their career at P.K. Yonge. Senior studs Israel Wilcox, Pernell Sylvester, and Carter Kutchko will be pushing for an impressive outing in the second-to last game of the regular season. McDonald has balanced these three players out efficientl by emphasizing a heavy run game from the get go and uses a considerable amount of play action schemes to keep the defense on their toes. That’s where Kutchko comes in and provides sleek passes to the Byrd brothers or quick screens to either running back. Wilcox and Sylvester have yet to be slowed down and it doesn’t look like it’ll happen any time soon.
Branford Buccaneers
Coach: Tim Clark
Record: 5-3
Key Players: #2 Aaron McQuay (SR., RB/MLB), #8 Seth Heiderman (SO., QB), #10 Jevin Johnson (SR., QB/DE), #21 Colton Leibold (JR., WR), #27 CJ Pepper (SR., WR/CB), #29 Dakota Hamm (JR., RB/MLB)
Outlook: This Class 1A-Region 3 team still has a chance to make the postseason. Now they look to go against a non-district opponent who is 2-0 against 1A teams. Those teams are Bell and Lafayette (Mayo), two teams that Branford have already faced and are 1-1, losing to Lafayette on September 28. Branford was in a close game against Lafayette but their 26 points wasn’t enough to beat their region rivals. Branford’s quarterback Jevin Johnson had a rough outing with a couple of interceptions, but nonetheless, he threw for 109 yards and has thrown for a solid 508 total yards on the season on 34 of 77 completions. The Blue Wave on the other hand had a great outing against Lafayette, scoring 60 points and allowing 33 points back in early October. The Buccaneers star-senior running back Aaron McQuay has played a huge part in their offense, rushing for 773 yards in only eight games. This will be a heavy run style game at PK Yonge field and it will be one worth watching as the underdog Buccaneers have a pleasing chance to achieve the upset.
Location: PK Yonge Developmental Research School
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: P.K. Yonge 40–28
