Nease quarterback Aiden Phifer threw for 201 yards in the Panthers' season opener, but Creekside beat the Panthers 21-14 on Friday, Aug. 21.
Ponte Vedra also came up short, losing 31-29 to University Christian in the Sharks' home opener the same night. Both programs enter Friday, Aug. 28, road games at 0-1.
Creekside 21, Nease 14
Phifer paired his 201 passing yards with a rushing touchdown, keeping Nease within striking distance for much of the game. Creekside answered through the air and on the perimeter.
Knights quarterback Rozzi Sperry completed passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, according to the Ponte Vedra Recorder's Week 1 recap. Senior wide receiver Dario Griffin hauled in 66 receiving yards and a touchdown, giving Creekside a reliable downfield target.
The Knights moved to 1-0.
They host Fleming Island on Friday, Aug. 28. For Nease, the back-to-back district champions from 2023 and 2024, Phifer's 201 passing yards and rushing score came against a Creekside defense that limited the Panthers to 14 points.
Ponte Vedra 29, University Christian 31
The Sharks' home opener came down to two points. Ponte Vedra scored 29 but could not hold off University Christian, which escaped with a 31-29 victory on Friday, Aug. 21.
Ponte Vedra junior quarterback Carter Sole completed 26 of 38 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. University Christian won on Hudson Kwartler's 20-yard field goal at the buzzer.
Week 2 preview: Friday, Aug. 28
Both local squads hit the road for Week 2:
- Nease at St. Augustine — 7 p.m. The Panthers travel to face the Yellow Jackets looking for their first win.
- Ponte Vedra at Bishop Kenny — The Sharks head to Jacksonville to take on the Crusaders.
Creekside, which handed Nease its Week 1 loss, hosts Fleming Island in its second straight home game. Beachside (1-0 after a 58-0 win over KIPP Bold City on Aug. 21) has a bye week before traveling to Tocoi Creek on Friday, Sept. 4.
