The Fleming Island Golden Eagles started Thursday night's football playoff game against the Buchholz Bobcats strong, as they forced apunt on theopening drive.

For a team that averagednearly 35 points per game coming into the contest at Citizens Field, the Bobcats don't do a lot of punting.

Fleming Island's moral victory of forcing a punt, however, would be nothing more as the Golden Eagles muffed the punt return and Buchholz senior Billy Galione fell onball at the Fleming Island 1-yard line.

The Bobcats found the scoreboard with a 1-yard touchdown rush from junior quarterback Creed Whittemore.

One small snowball evolved into an avalanche as things quickly went south for the Golden Eagles, who saw their season end whenthe Bobcats stampeded to a 35-7 win to advance to the Region 1-7A semifinal next week.

Top-seeded Buchholz (10-1) will hostthe winner of Friday's Fletcher (5-5) vs. University (6-2) game.

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After Buchholz's opening score, Fleming Island was forced to punt it away from its own 41-yard line whenthe drive stalled after travelling just 21 yards on eight plays.

Buchholz junior Jacarree Kelly generated a nice return bytaking it down to the Fleming Island 38-yard line.

From there, Whittemore and the Bobcats needed just two plays to score, a 27-yard strike from Whittemore toKelly for a14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Buchholz continued to pour it on, scoring on each of its subsequent possessions.

The Bobcats marched 86 yardson 10 plays, capped by a 37-yard scoring connection between Whittemore and senior receiver Quan Leeon 4th and 7.

Buchholz's next drive traveled 88 yards on seven plays before senior EJ Gadson punched it in from one yard out. The score was set up by a 53-yard pass play between Whittemore and senior receiver Adrian Sermons, who came down with a miraculous catch over freshman defensive back Kaylib Singleton.

The Bobcats would tack on one more score before the intermission on a 12-yard pass play from Whittemore to Kelly.

With a commanding 35-0 lead at half, Whittemore didn't take a snap in the second half. The junior finished the night 8-for-12 for 171 yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.

"Our offense played really well tonight," said Buchholz coach Mark Whittemore, the QB's father. "A lot of big plays. Our playmakers made great plays tonight. And that's important. To win a playoff game, your big-time players have to come out and produce. And all three of our receivers that are that caliber ... they showed that tonight."

The Bobcatsoutgained the Golden Eagles 251-67 yards at the break. But that didn't stop Buchholz defensive coordinator Chuck Bell from thinking his unit had given up too many yards.

Fleming Island picked up chunk yardage from the legs of freshman quarterback Cibastian Broughton, who led the effortwith 45 yards on 11 carries. Broughton's biggest run of the night came in the first half when he tore off for 37 yards.

The Golden Eagles' biggest play of the the gamecame on a 43-yard pass play from Broughton to senior receiver Caleb Jones.

Buchholz keptFleming Island's junior running back Sam Singleton, who was averaging more than 92 yards per game,to just nine net yards.

By game's end, the Buchholz defense had allowed Fleming Island 113 yards from scrimmage a number most defenses would be happy. But the Bobcats thoughtit was too much, says all there is to say about their expectations.

"Our defense really sets the tone for our team," Whittemore said. "That's kinda how we're built.Our bloodline is defense first. And so their play really ignites us."

Fleming Island (6-5) finally found its way to the scoreboard midway through the fourth quarter as itblocked a Buchholz punt from inside the10-yard line, allowing junior Jhace Edwards to execute a quick scoop and score.

"The big thing is that we just don't lose momentum. Really, it's actually advantage Buchholz from a rest standpoint," Whittemore said of his team having Friday, Saturday and Sunday to bask in Thursday night's win. "But as a high schooler, three days is like a lifetime. So we gotta make sure we stay on them and are aware of where they are and what they're doing. Just keep our thumb on them ... that's all."

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High school football: Buchholz beats Fleming Island 35-7 to advance in Class 7A playoffs - Gainesville Sun