September 8, 2012

Marty Pallman
FlaVarsity.com

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Friday night's game between Fletcher and Bishop Kenny was supposed to be one of the games of the year in Northeast Florida.

Instead the Fletcher Senators proved they may be ready for that elusive state title.

Jamari Smith rushed for 192 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown as Fletcher (2-0) pulled away from Bishop Kenny for a 35-9 win in Neptune Beach.

Smith, a South Carolina commitment, went over 100 yards halfway through the second quarter and was pushing for 200 yards when the Senators senior running back was sent to the bench with game out of hand in the fourth quarter.

Bishop Kenny (1-1) beat Fletcher at home last season 28-14, outscoring the Senators 21-0 in the second half. And it looked early on like the Crusaders would extend its 16-game regular season winning streak dating back to October, 2010.

Bishop Kenny drove right down the field on the Fletcher on the opening drive, with wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood ripping off a 24 yard run on an end around and then catching a 7 yard TD pass from quarterback John Wolford to give the Crusaders an early 6-0 lead.

But that was it for Bishop Kenny's offense, as the Senators defense held the Crusaders to only 42 yards rushing and also limited Fulwood, a Florida commitment, to 27 yards rushing and three receptions for 20 yards. Bishop Kenny could manage only a 35 yard field goal by Robby Blanchfield in the final three quarters.

Meanwhile Fletcher's offense and Smith took over the game. Smith was breaking off huge chunks of yardage on a first quarter drive which was capped by the first of Fletcher quarterback Evan Orth's four touchdown passes, this one a 10 yarder to Kalib Woods.

Then after a Bishop Kenny punt, Fletcher moved it back down the field led by Smith, who had four straight carries for first downs. Orth capped the drive off with an 11 yard TD pass to Clay Bridge to give Fletcher a 14-6 lead.

After the Blanchfield field goal cut the Crusaders deficit to 14-9, Fletcher answered with a huge touchdown before the half. Orth lobbed a 32 yard touchdown pass to Woods, who leaped over a Bishop Kenny defender in the front left corner of the end zone with 43 seconds left in the first half to give the Senators 21-9 halftime lead.

It was more of the same in the second half, as Smith continued to dominate on the ground and Bishop Kenny continued to be frustrated on offense. Orth threw his fourth TD pass of the game, a 16 yarder to Bridge halfway through the third quarter to extend Fletcher's lead to 28-9. Then Smith put it away with his only touchdown of the game from five yards out in the fourth quarter to finish out the scoring.

Fletcher outgained Bishop Kenny 437-203 in total offense, including 243 yards on the ground for the Senators. Smith had 11 of Fletcher's 24 plays of 8 yards or more in the game. Orth was 13 of 18 through the air for 194 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers. Woods was the Senators leading receiver with 6 catches for 121 yards and the two TD's. Fletcher, a 8A state semifinalist last season, will host Atlantic Coast next Friday.

Bishop Kenny's offense only gained 142 yards after the opening touchdown drive. Wolford was 17 of 29 for 161 yards with a touchdown and one fumble lost. With Fulwood covered most of the evening Mo Tapper was able to get loose and lead the Crusaders in receiving with 6 catches for 95 yards. Fulwood was Bishop Kenny's leading rusher with two carries for only 27 yards. Bishop Kenny returns home to face rival Episcopal next Friday night.