Bell runs over Oak Hall in opener

Bell's Isaac Johnson with a first quarter run against Oak Hall on Friday.
Bell's Isaac Johnson with a first quarter run against Oak Hall on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish

The Oak Hall Eagles headed into their 2024 season opener at Bell on Friday night with high hopes for the new season.

But mistakes and Bell’s running game cost the Eagles as the Bulldogs scored the last 21 points of the game to pull away from visiting Oak Hall, 42-21, at The Boneyard.

Bell, who won only two games in 2023, starts this season off on a much higher note.

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The Bulldogs (1-0) took advantage of Oak Hall’s mistakes and their own potent running game to pull away from the Eagles in the second half.

Bell's Kaleb Williams tackled by Oak Hall's Aaron Akins after intercepting a pass early in the first quarter on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Bell’s Kaleb Williams tackled by Oak Hall’s Aaron Akins after intercepting a pass early in the first quarter on Friday.

“We didn’t play a preseason game this year with the SSAA format this year,” Bell coach Joey Whittington said. “We were wondering how we would respond, and we responded pretty well tonight. If we continue to run the ball like that, we will be pretty good.”

Bell scored the first 21 points of the game. On Oak Hall’s opening drive, senior quarterback Dakota Brower was intercepted by Bell’s Kaleb Williams and returned to the Eagles’ 37-yard line. Senior quarterback Isaac Johnson ran to the one-yard line, and sophomore running back Landin Williams punched it in for a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Oak Hall quarterback Dakota Brower fumbled the ball near midfield at the Bell 48-yard line. The Bulldogs converted two fourth downs including a 25-yard pass from Johnson to senior wide receiver Jayden Lopez on a fourth-and-nine play. Johnson scored from three yards out to extend the Bell lead to 14-0 with 7:56 left before halftime.

Oak Hall committed another miscue on the ensuing kickoff, fumbling the kickoff and Bell recovered at the Eagles 23-yard line. Johnson capped off the short drive with another 3-yard touchdown and suddenly Bell led 21-0 with 4:44 left before the half.

Oak Hall's Dakota Brower (1) and Aaron Akins (4) celebrate after Brower found Akins for a TD in the third quarter against Bell on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Oak Hall’s Dakota Brower (1) and Aaron Akins (4) celebrate after Brower found Akins for a TD in the third quarter against Bell on Friday.

But Oak Hall (0-1) settled down and scored the next 21 points, tying the game at 21-all with senior running back Briggs Copeland scoring from five yards out after a Bell fumble at its 30-yard line.

Unfortunately, Brower hurt his left shoulder earlier in the drive and was lost for the rest of the game. And that was it for Oak Hall offensively.

“They’ve got some dudes but there’s no doubt he No. 1 (Brower) runs the show,” Whittington said. “I hate anytime a kid gets hurt in high school football, but it’s part of the game.”

The Bulldogs took over from there. Landin Williams ran for two more touchdowns and Kaleb Williams added another as Bell scored the last 21 unanswered points.

“We’ve been kind of keeping our eye on Landin and as a sophomore, we finally get him up here full time,” Whittington said. “He was our leading rusher as a freshman and we’re excited about him.”

Bell travels 10 miles south next Friday to take on Gilchrist County rival Trenton. Oak Hall will be back on the road at Branford.

Thursday, Aug. 15  
Buchholz 7, Spruce Creek (Port Orange) 2  
Chiefland 38, Crystal River 7  
Fort White 42, North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) 14  
Newberry 38, Lafayette (Mayo) 6  
  
Friday, Aug. 16  
Bell 42, Oak Hall 21 
Santa Fe (Alachua) 14, Dixie County (Cross City) 7  
Hawthorne 35, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville) 7 
Bradford (Starke) 19, Columbia (Lake City) 8 
Union County (Lake Butler) 14, Baker County (Glen St. Mary) 14 
Williston 21, University Christian (Jacksonville) 13 
Keystone Heights 23, Ridgeview (Orange Park) 20
Carrollwood Day (Tampa) 42, Eastside 20 
Lake Weir (Ocala) 54, Bronson 8 
Cedar Creek Christian (Jacksonville) 42, St. Francis Catholic Academy 6 
Crescent City 21, Trenton 7*
Crescent City 14, Branford 12*
Branford 21, Trenton 0*
*Played one half each and three-team Kickoff Classic in Trenton

Oak Hall's Briggs Copeland finds some running room against Bell on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Oak Hall’s Briggs Copeland finds some running room against Bell on Friday.
Bell's R.J. Leffler (1) and Alex McGuigan (6) go after a Dakota Brower fumble in the first quarter on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Bell’s R.J. Leffler (1) and Alex McGuigan (6) go after a Dakota Brower fumble in the first quarter on Friday.
Oak Hall's Dakota Brower scans the field against Bell on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Oak Hall’s Dakota Brower scans the field against Bell on Friday.
Bell's Landin Williams puts the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 against Oak Hall in the first quarter on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Bell’s Landin Williams puts the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 against Oak Hall in the first quarter on Friday.
Oak Hall's Briggs Copeland attempts to catch a first quarter pass against Bell on Friday. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Oak Hall’s Briggs Copeland attempts to catch a first quarter pass against Bell on Friday.
Oak Hall players celebrate after recovering a Bell fumble in the third quarter on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Oak Hall players celebrate after recovering a Bell fumble in the third quarter on Friday.
Bell's Kaleb Williams breaks an Oak Hall tackle for a third quarter TD on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Bell’s Kaleb Williams breaks an Oak Hall tackle for a third quarter TD on Friday.

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