NewsBreak Original

The Fleming Island Golden Eagles football team got a 28-7 victory Monday night over the Middleburg Broncos in a spring game. The spring game atmosphere was very similar to the regular season game day atmosphere outside of the absence of the bands from both teams.

Former Fleming Island Golden Eagle and Wake Forest Demon Deacon linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams following the 2023 NFL Draft Saturday night.

With the NFL draft officially open next Thursday, 259 college prospects will achieve their dreams of hearing their name called over the three-day draft period. Former Fleming Island Golden Eagle and Wake Forest Demon Deacon linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr could be one of those names called.

Former Fleming Island linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr. performed in front of NFL scouts at Wake Forest’s Pro Day on Wednesday morning in hopes of getting drafted into the NFL. A Pro Day allows players who did not get an opportunity to compete at the NFL Combine or those who want to improve their numbers from the NFL Combine a chance to show their talents in front of NFL scouts.

The 14th Annual Wes Whiddon Memorial Golf Tournament will be played at Bent Creek Golf course on April 1 beginning at 9:30 a.m. to raise money for the Wesley Whiddon Scholarship Fund.

The Fleming Island Golden Eagles announced on December 22 that former Bartram Trail associate head coach Chad Parker will be the new head coach of the football team. Fleming Island was searching for a new coach for roughly two weeks because Damenyum Springs stepped down after six years as head coach of the program. Parker was with the storied Bartram Trail football program for nine years and won a State Championship in 2017. Parker also learned from legendary northeast Florida high school football coach Darrell Sutherland, who stepped down after the 2022 season. Parker looks to bring Sutherland’s teachings to the program with a mix of his own style.

Former Fleming Island Golden Eagles’ linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr announced on his Twitter Tuesday evening that he is declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker capped off his five-year career at Wake Forest with 117 total tackles, 41 solo tackles, one fumble recovery and three passes defended in the 2022 season. Smenda played his final game for Wake Forest back in his home state. Wake Forest defeated the Missouri Tigers, 27-17, in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa.

The Fleming Island Golden Eagles finished the 2022 season with a 5-4 record and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. Despite having the most talented roster in the county, with 18 players making the Clay County Coaches All County Football Teams, Fleming Island finished in last place in 4S District 3, going 0-4. Outside of their district play, Fleming Island went undefeated.

Clay County Athletics announced the Clay County Coaches All County Football Teams this week. The Fleming Island Golden Eagles led the list with 11 players on offense and seven defensive/special teams players.

The Fleming Island Golden Eagles lost their homecoming game in heartbreaking fashion to the Creekside Knights on Friday night, 38-35. Fleming Island won the toss and elected to defer to the second half to start the game. Creekside went three-and-out on their first drive due to a sack by edge rusher Demhir Jackson. Fleming’s offense drove to Creekside’s side of the field but turned the ball over on downs around the Creekside 30-yard line.

The Oakleaf Knights traveled to Fleming Island Friday night and upset the Golden Eagles, 26-20. Oakleaf was 2-1, and Fleming Island was 3-0 heading into their matchup. Oakleaf put this game out of reach because they forced three interceptions and a forced fumble.

The Fleming Island Golden Eagles football team traveled to Green Cove Springs Friday night and dominated the Clay High Blue Devils in the opening game of the season, 49-7. After a brief 15-minute weather delay due to lightning, Clay High held its own for the first half of the first quarter. However, the speed, strength and experience of the Fleming Island roster were too much for a young Clay High team who lost many of their experienced players to graduation or transfer.

Fleming Island four-star running back Samuel Singleton announced his commitment to FSU Friday night over offers from Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and LSU. FSU head coach Mike Norvell released a statement on his Twitter last night about Singleton’s commitment to the Seminoles. “Great day to be a Florida State Seminole! Playmaker is coming and speed is coming with him to Tribe 23 and a part of the Nole Family. Future is bright in Tallahassee,” said Norvell.

The much-anticipated 2022 high school football season for Clay County is just around the corner. The FHSAA has released the schedule for each team in the county for the 2022 season.

With the start of the 2022 high school football season being a month away, three schools in Clay County have the best chance to make a significant run in the FHSAA playoffs. Fleming Island finished last season with a 6-5 record and 3-2 7A District 3 record, according to MaxPreps. Even though Fleming Island finished the season a game above .500 and plays in one of Florida’s toughest classifications, they have the necessary pieces to make a significant run for the 2022 season. Sophomore quarterback Cibastian Broughton started as a freshman last season and will continue to develop. Broughton has a senior-heavy team to help him win games this season. Four-star running back Sam Singleton and three-star Darion Domineck are explosive weapons on offense that are wanted by some of the top college programs in the country. Fleming Island also has explosive defensive players in three-star linebacker Abram Wright and Jhace Edwards who combined for 143 total tackles. If Broughton improves his sophomore year and key players on both sides of the ball stay healthy, the sky is the limit for Fleming Island. Fleming Island’s first matchup is against Clay High on August 26.