Orange Park carries first win into Week 4 at Clay

Orange Park's Raiders take their first win of the season to Clay High School on Friday, Sept. 11, for a Week 4 FHSAA road game.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Clay High School in Green Cove Springs. Tickets are available through GoFan. The Orange Park football program marked the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 in its game-day post on X, invoking a message of remembrance and honor.

Raiders riding a comeback

Orange Park (1-2) enters the matchup after rallying from a 14-0 halftime deficit to beat Atlantic Coast 27-16 on Sept. 4. The turnaround started on special teams. Julian Still blocked a punt and Corey Johnson scooped the loose ball for a score. Still added an interception in the second half.

Running back Austeen Mills scored the go-ahead touchdown to put the Raiders up 21-14. Quarterback Daeveon Williams connected with Bellamay on a 35-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Christopher Wilson sealed the win with a sack on fourth down.

"We were tired of losing," Williams said after the Sept. 4 win over Atlantic Coast. "Everyone was tired of losing, so tonight we decided to come together in the second half and play for one another and win."

The victory snapped a two-game skid to open the season. Head coach Marcus Wimberly's squad lost to Jackson 41-0 in Week 1 and fell to Oakleaf 46-6 in Week 2, according to DuvalSports.

Clay rolling after shutout

Clay (2-1) has won two straight since dropping its opener to Baker County 31-19 on Aug. 21. The Blue Devils beat Matanzas 29-10 on Aug. 28 and blanked Palatka 35-0 on Sept. 4, according to News4JAX.

Clay's defense held Palatka to zero points in Week 3. Orange Park, meanwhile, put up 27 second-half points against Atlantic Coast after managing none in the first half.