MIDDLEBURG – In their Thursday night home opener, host Middleburg High’s flag football squad drew cross-town rival Orange Park High School and got hit with a “brick wall” defense en route to a 25-0 Raider win.

On Offense, the Raiders used an air and ground attack orchestrated by senior Harlee Sharpe at quarterback. She fired at will, connecting with numerous receivers to rock the Broncos back on their heels.

“She’s a stud” said Raider Head Coach Gary Valero. “I just call them and she executes. She’s got great vision, an all-around athlete, she’s a stud.”

Just as the Broncos would adjust to the air assault, Valero would unleash fleet footed tailback Jacie Ankrom with her cutback moves that kept the Broncos from pulling her flag to stop the play.

“Everybody knows she’s got the speed and you know the old saying, speed kills” said Valero, talking about Ankrom. “We call it shake and bake. Just give them the ball and see what they can do. I tell them; you are athletes, don’t just run straight ahead. I want shake and bake.”

The one-two offensive and defensive punch were just too much for the Broncos to withstand as the Raiders buried the Broncos 25-0.

In the first quarter, Sharp launched a ball between two receivers; Rosa Sawyer tried to catch it, tipped the ball, and allowed Kaylee Ohar to get under it, handle it and score touchdown number one for the Raiders. The point after was no good for a 6-0 lead with 2:04 left in the first.

On a fourth down pass play, Middleburg attempted a flip pass that was picked off by Orange Park’s Tori “sure hands” Cole.

“I’ve been playing basketball about all my life, so the good hands come easy to me.” Said Cole when asked about her ability to pull in the passes. Cole took the ball and went another 10 yards before the Bronco offense turned defense could get Cole’s flag.

On the first offensive play, Ankrom to use her footwork to skedaddle down the left sideline from about mid-field for Raider score number two.

“I’ve been playing since I was four. All my coaches over the years had me work on my fundamentals so it really pays off now” said Ankrom when asked about her moves. “Shake and Bake, you know? I trust my feet more than I do my hands. I play a lot of other sports too, so it all helps out.”

With a good point after, the Raiders built a 13-0 lead with two minutes left until half. The Broncos again went three and out, resulting in another punt. On the punt reception, Ankrom again dazzled the crowd as she caught the punt and used her footwork, juking, and gain another 15 yards after the catch. Working with a very short field, Valero called Tori Cole’s number back-to-back as she first caught a one-handed reception to get the ball closer to the end zone, then again with a touchdown catch over the middle to put the Raiders up 19-0. Middleburg couldn’t do anything with the 48 seconds left until half and were simply shut down by the smothering Raider defense. The Raiders would sack Taylor Swagel to dash any hopes for a first half score.

For the Raiders, it was speed demon Larickya Cummings that seemed to elude the Bronco blockers as she racked up five sacks on the night. “I don’t take quarterbacks lightly” said Cummings. “I’m fast in general, I get off the line quicker, and I’m small so they don’t think I’ll do anything. This is my fourth year and that is my goal to get at least five sacks a game.” In the fourth quarter, it was a long Raider drive that finally stalled on an over-throw while going for it on fourth down. The ensuing Bronco drive was snuffed out in three plays and a punt. With time running out, Orange Park kept their foot on the gas and started to drive once again. Receptions from Ankrom and Cole both resulted in huge gains to get the Raiders in scoring position once again. Going for it on fourth and goal to go, this time, Sharp found Rosa Sawyer uncovered in the end zone for the final Raider score. With 2:00 left on the clock, the mercy rule was applied and the game was complete with a Raider 25-0 victory.