just won the class 3A championship last weekend over Sarasota Booker 31-15!!






For the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets it's been a long coming in capturing the State Championship, but on Friday afternoon that drought came to an end as the Jackets swallowed up the Sarasota Booker Tornadoes 31-15 behind the big play tandem of Brandon James and Jacques Rickerson. St. Augustine also capped an unblemished season as the Jackets finished the year with a perfect 14-0 record, and for St. Augustine you never forget the first time.



Brandon James powers the Jackets to a State Title
As we mentioned a couple of days ago, turnovers would come in bunches, but the team that limited those mistakes would be the team to host the 3A Trophy and St. Augustine once again did what they have done all year, forcing their opponent out of their game into making mistakes. Booker fumbled the ball four times and each time put a dagger into the chances of the Tornadoes chance of overcoming their mistakes, but they just continued to pile up and when you make those mistakes against a team like the Jackets they make you pay.

"The kids really knew that getting turnovers would be big this week and to be honest our seniors just stepped up one more time and I could not be any prouder of these guys for their effort," replied St. Augustine head coach Joey Wiles.

St. Augustine would start where they left off against North Marion when they bolted to a quick lead. The second coming on an electrifying 65 yard screen pass to Rai-Shawn Wilson as he took it the distance to give the Jackets a very early 7-0 lead. From there the Jacket defense held serve like they have all season in containing the ever dangerous Sam Shields throughout the first quarter and most of the game as Rickerson put the clamps on the talented Miami commitment.

"We knew he was talented, so I think we had a good game plan in slowing him down in the first half, "replied Rickerson.



Jacques Rickerson had a big TD rececption to seal the victory
On their first drive of the game, the Jackets continued to pound the Tornadoes with a dominating running game with Brandon James and Wilson giving the Jackets a solid one two punch. St. Augustine head coach Joey Wiles would then resort in some trickery as Brandon James ran a normal sweep play to the right, but stopped at the line of scrimmage and then hit a streaking Quinterrance Cooper down the sidelines for a 34 touchdown strike as the Jackets drew first blood taking an early 7-0 lead.

The struggles would then continue for Booker as they still had a tough time establishing their offense against the very quick St. Augustine defense. The Tornadoes tried to use their effective running game which caught Belle Glades Central off guard last weekend, but the Jackets weren't fooled as they forced the Tornadoes into yet another three and out series. St. Augustine would finish the half off with a big 49 yard field goal to expand the lead to 17-0 as both teams entered the break at halftime.

"I was so excited about the way we were playing, but I just really told the kids that it will take another half like that if you want to take home the prize," added Wiles.

The second half was a turnover feast on both sides, but for Booker it was even more costly as the Tornadoes coughed up the ball three times in the second half alone. The St. Augustine offense slowed down considerably as they caught the turnover blues as they fumbled the ball themselves twice deep inside Booker territory late in the third quarter. Heading into the 4th this Championship appeared all but sealed even though the Jackets only held a 17-0 lead it probably felt more like 100 hundred points to Sarasota Booker as they continued to struggle on consistency even in the second half.

All year long, the Jackets have been pushed to the limits to make the big play and just about every time CB Jacques Rickerson would step up and provide the huge defensive stop to put the game away. This time though the talented four star prospect sealed the deal on the offensive side of the ball. With the Jackets facing at what looked like an impossible 3rd and 30 Rickerson hauled in a remarkable catch in the end zone that now expanded the lead to 24-0.

Sarasota Booker would avoid the shutout in the 4th quarter as the Tornadoes finally showed signs of life as Sam Shields got behind Rickerson for a 63 yard touchdown strike. Shields would finish the game with 73 yards receiving as that would be his only big play on Rickerson the entire night. The big play for the Tornadoes only momentarily stopped the bleeding as the Jackets would later add another touchdown as Rai-Shawn Wilson scored on a 6 yard plunge to make the final margin 31-15. Following another failed series by the Tornadoes, the Jackets then ran out the clock and the celebration for St. Augustine and their fans were on as Coach Wiles was dosed by the Gatorade bath and the Jacket fans went wild. It was a moment that has been coming for quite sometime for the entire county.

"This was a big win for all of the St. Augustine community. This team just really came together and wanted to make this team special," replied Rickerson.

It was especially special to Brandon James who finished with 99 yards on nine carries as he saw his career come to an end.



Marquise Johnson tries to make the tackle on Rai-Shawn Wilson
"We wanted this one for Coach Wiles and all of the seniors we just would not be denied."

St. Augustine also hopes they aren't the only team that brings home the championship to St. Johns county as Nease takes on Armwood in the 4A State Title game. The Panthers were in attendance Friday afternoon to root on their bitter rivals and it appears the same can be said tomorrow as the Jackets look to repay the favor.

"We want it to be a duel Championship county so hopefully Nease can also take care of business as well," replied coach Wiles.


Game Summary

1st quarter
S- 34 yard pass from B. James Q. Cooper (Kick good)
S- 64 yard pass from Q. Cooper to R. Wilson (Kick good)

2nd quarter
S- 49 yard field goal by Sturgis

4th quarter
S- 32 yard pass from Cooper to J. Rickerson (Kick good)
B- 2 yard run by R. Jones (2pt good)
S- 9 yard run by R. Wilson (Kick good)
B- 63 yard pass from Hunter to S. Shields (Kick good)

Thanks OG.
I played for the St Augustine HS Yellow Jackets football team. The long time locals I'm sure are going nuts right now.
I recognize the name Wiles which is a common St Augustine name (I would have to explain that if anyone asks). I'm sure I know someone from his family.
St Augustine is a big high school football town. St Augustine high will pack the stadium every Friday night. The school was much larger than a 3A a few years ago. Just like everywhere else in FL, St Augustine experienced huge growth. If I am not mistaken, before they built the new highschool it was 6A. Now there are 3 high schools in the county. It was 3A when I played for the Yellow Jackets.

Of interest to FIU people when they check this board. Nease H.S. another H.S. in St Augustine which is up a little closer to Ponte Vedra in St Johns County has the same logo as FIU. The Nease Golden Panthers.

I don't know the name of the 3rd newest high school. Probably "surfer dude" high.

For all of you guys and girls from St Johns County checking this board out who haven't chosen a college yet, come on down to FAU. It is right on the ocean and the surf a few miles north in Delray Beach is OK. Dude. I've surfed it. Plus you can scuba and snorkle to your hearts content. If you're an athelete, you can get in on something that is going to be real big.
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I've never followed Nease H.S. but I just looked up the news, they just won the 4A state championship and Tim Tebow the QB there is rated the #1 QB in the country per the Miami Herald. Whow!! The high school senior is 6'3" 217lbs. I wish Howard would recruit him. He makes his announcement on ESPN Tuesday where he is going. Everyone thinks it will be UF.
I'll be in St Augustine next week. Go St Augustine!!

There were "local scouts" in attendance at the State Championships.. ;)

Iiil the other team is Batram Trail and they made it to the second round this season.

I don't know what they are doing there now in that town, but its working.

I'm flying out Saturday 12/17 to be in St Augustine for a week to visit family and friends.

I was at some of the high school games this past weekend. The Armwood vs Nease game was a good one! Tebow is a solid 225lbs! The kid is amazing. UF is leading but Bama,LSU and USCal is also on the list.

2 in-a-row Champs Armwood high school have a lot of prospects also. Coaches were all over them too. The 6A Championship game between Deerfield Beach and Palm Beach Gardens may have a few definite prospects because of the current pipeline with FAU players.

Hopefully we will snag a few surprises.