BY CLIFF SMELLEY
On a night that Keystone Heights High School Head Flag Football Coach Brad Harvey said it was the coldest game he’d ever been a part of, it seemed as if the Indians’ offense was as cold as the sub-50 temperatures.
The Indians got hot after being shut out in the first half, scoring three touchdowns — one of which was on an Ashlyn Brown reception in overtime, giving Keystone a 18-12 win over visiting Orange Park on Feb. 21.
It was Brown’s second touchdown reception and the third scoring toss by quarterback Alee Horton, who also threw a touchdown to Riley Shuford.
The two teams combined for six interceptions in the first half, with Brown and Horton picking off one and two passes, respectively, for Keystone.
Still, the Raiders built a 12-0 lead and threatened to score again after sacking Horton for a 6-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 play at the Keystone 19-yard line. The Raiders gained 3 yards on first down, moving them to the 10. Teilah Hall broke up a pass on second down, followed by Brown getting her interception on third down.
Orange Park had another goal-to-go opportunity in the third quarter, but turned the ball over on downs after Shuford broke up a fourth-down pass attempt in the end zone.
The Indians’ offense responded by driving 63 yards for its first score. Horton completed passes to Whitnee Buchanan and Alex Papaiannou to give Keystone a first down at the 38. Shuford then had a 32-yard reception to set up first-and-goal at the Orange Park 10. After two incompletions, Horton hooked up with Brown for a score, leaving the Indians trailing 12-6. The one-point conversion attempt failed.
Orange Park again was able to march downfield and give itself a goal-to-go opportunity at the Keystone 10-yard line. After a 3-yard run on first down, Brown made a tackle for a 10-yard loss on second down. The Raiders thew an incompletion on third down and went for it on fourth down, with Horton intercepting the pass in the end zone and taking it out to the Keystone 26-yard line.
Aubre Miller had an 8-yard reception and a 6-yard run to give Keystone a first down at midfield. Horton scampered for a 17-yard run before throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to Shuford with 4:40 to play in regulation. The one-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score tied at 12-12.
Horton completed 6 of 10 passes for 94 yards on the Indians’ two scoring drives. Shuford caught two of those passes for 55 yards.
The Raiders’ offense consumed most of the remaining time before turning the ball over on downs at the Keystone 35 with 17 seconds remaining.
Orange Park had the ball first in overtime, which gives each team four downs to score, with the possession beginning a the 10-yard line. The Raiders lost yardage on two straight run plays. After an incompletion on third down, Shuford broke up a pass in the end zone on fourth down.
Keystone’s first play in overtime was an incomplete pass, but Horton came back on second down and found Brown for the winning score.
The Indians opened the season with a 20-19 win over visiting Tocoi Creek on Feb. 18. Horton rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, while also completing 8 of 12 passes for 82 yards and one score.
Shuford caught the touchdown pass and finished with three receptions for 62 yards. Papaiannou caught three passes for 28 yards.
Alyssa Sanford led the defense in tackles with four and had two sacks for a total loss of 8 yards.
Ashley McCarthy had three tackles, while Melanie Crabtree had one 5-yard sack.
The Indians lost 24-13 to host Baker County on Feb. 20, despite getting 300-plus yards of offense from Horton.
Horton completed 13 of 20 passes for 225 yards and rushed for 90 yards on 10 carries.
Shuford caught five passes for 110 yards, while Brown and Miller each had one reception for 25 yards. Horton caught two passes from Brown for 25 yards.
Hall recorded four tackles, while Shuford made two interceptions. Horton also had an interception.
Keystone travels to play Mandarin on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. It’ll be the first of three road games, with the Indians also playing at Crescent City on Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. and at Buchholz on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m.
