OAKLEAF – A 70 yard Tony Dorsett-like run in front of the Oakleaf Junior High sideline by Lake Asbury Junior High tailback Kaygen Williamson in the Lady Tiger’s opening drive of the second half fueled a thrilling comeback that turned a 13-0 deficit at halftime to a 14-13 win in the Northeast Florida Athletic Conference flag football championship Thursday afternoon at Oakleaf Junior High School.

With the Oakleaf Lady Yellow Jackets entering the game unbeaten in two years and with championships from the previous two years, the daunting task of wresting the title from coach Machele Crowley would require Lake Asbury coach James Black to figure a defense against the Yellow Jackets historic speed.

Opening the game, Oakleaf quickly employed those speed tactics behind quarterback Kaylah Turner who sent running back Kyah Shannon over the middle with a quick pass that turned into a 60 yard breakaway sprint to paydirt and a 6-0 Yellow Jacket lead with a failed sweep from Turner on the point after attempt proving fateful.

On the Lake Asbury drive after the score, Turner stepped in front of an out pass from Lady Tiger quarterback Gabby Ellis near the 20 yard line and cruised untouched for a second score in less than minute with Shannon running in the point after for a 13-0 lead into the second quarter.

On their opening drive, Oakleaf opened with an interception from Fantasia James near the Tiger 20 that Shannon carried her first carry to the Lake Asbury five yard as Oakleaf looked to score quickly to lengthen their lead.

A jet sweep to Christina Lewis got Oakleaf closer with Shannon dropping a pass on third to set up a critical fourth and goal play at the 12 yard line.

A pass to Shannon creating a collision with Lake Asbury defender Peatyn Miller that got a turnover on downs.

On first down, Ellis optioned left to Williamson who wiggled through a handful of defenders to outsprint the Oakleaf defense to paydirt for a 13-6 score.

On the point after pass, wideout Annalee Harberson scored to push the score to 13-8.

Oakleaf, in the third quarter, attempted to respond to the Williamson breakaway only to have Lake Asbury defender Taylor Thompson intercept Turner on the Oakleaf 15 yard line.

From there, Miller snagged an Ellis pass to the seven yard line before Ellis swept right to put the Tigers on third down at the six and the clock ticking down on Oakleaf’s defense of their two titles.

On third down, after an interception from Thompson put the Tigers near the Oakleaf 40, Harberson outjumped Shannon then outran James to the end zone for a 14-13 score. Ellis hit Miller earlier in the drive on a key pass to set up the score.