Mike Ridaught
Friday night’s city showdown between Buchholz and Eastside at Citizen’s Field featured a pair of 2-0 teams.
Eastside received the opening kick but was unable to move the football and punted the ball to the Bobcats, who took over at the Rams’ 30-yard line.
Buchholz took advantage of a short field and finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Creed Whittemore to senior wide receiver Jacarree Kelly for a 7-0 lead with 6:22 to play in the opening quarter.
Later in the first quarter, Rams quarterback Holden Johnson’s pass was intercepted by senior Camron Boykin and the Bobcats were back in business at the 50-yard line.
However, just three plays later the game was halted due to lightning. Eventually, the heavens opened up and rainfall caused the game to be postponed.
The two teams initially rescheduled the game for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Eastside High School. But per Buchholz Athletic Director Ron Brooks they were unable to secure officials.
Just before 11 p.m. after a conversation with the Florida High School Athletic Association, the game was declared a no-contest per Eastside AD Derek Gonsoulin.
Both teams will now turn their attention to district play.
Eastside will host Bradford (Starke) in a 2S-District 7 game on Friday, Sept. 16, for Homecoming, while Buchholz will travel to Creekside (St. Johns) for a 4S-District 3 contest.
Meanwhile, P.K. Yonge’s home game against Mount Dora Christian was called with 4:52 to play in the first quarter due to lightning. Per Gainesville Sun correspondent Scott LaPeer, the two teams will resume the scoreless game on Monday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m.
In addition to Buchholz and Eastside, Bradford (Starke) (2-0), Branford (3-0), Chiefland (3-0), Newberry (3-0), Oak Hall School (2-0), and Hawthorne (2-0) all remained undefeated with wins on Friday, while Columbia (Lake City) (1-2) and Fort White (1-2) won their first game of the year.
Friday, Sept. 9
Aucilla Christian (Monticello) 46, St. Francis Catholic Academy 0
Bradford (Starke) 21, Middleburg 0
Branford 39, Bell 0
Buchholz at Eastside – declared a no-contest due to weather
Central (Brooksville) 25, Bronson 0
Chiefland 14, Suwannee (Live Oak) 13
Columbia (Lake City) 21, DeLand 16
Fort White 28, Keystone Heights 0
Hawthorne 36 Terry Parker (Jacksonville) 18
Mount Dora Christian at P.K. Yonge – postponed to Monday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m. due to weather
Newberry 65, Trenton 6
Oak Hall School 48, Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) 21
Palatka 33, Santa Fe (Alachua) 13
OFF – Union County (Lake Butler)