Unbeaten Edgewater rolls past Timber Creek 40-0

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – If Thursday night’s dominating performance was any indication, the Edgewater Eagles could soar a long way this season.

Getting superb performances from its offense, defense and special teams, Edgewater rumbled past visiting Timber Creek, 40-0, to run its record to 6-0. It was the biggest margin of victory and first shutout of the year for the Eagles, who endured quite the gauntlet in the first half of the 2022 season playing Bishop Moore, Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey, West Orange, Jones and Apopka.

Six players scored for Edgewater, including quarterback Chase Carter, who ran for two touchdowns. The Eagles also got a TD pass from backup quarterback Michael Clayton and a blocked punt in overwhelming the Wolves (2-4).

“It was a quick turnaround, we’re grateful to be playing with Hurricane Ian (past us),” said Edgewater coach Cameron Duke, whose team missed at least five days of practice because of the storm. “Nothing but respect for Timber Creek. That’s a good program.

“We found a way to get a win, a team win,” Duke said. “It was great, defense having the shutout. Moving to 6-0, we feel good about where we are, but we got a long way to go.”

Edgewater was sensational from the start, scoring on all five of its first-half possessions to take a commanding 33-0 lead. Carter scored on a 2-yard keeper and Semaj Fleming ran 19 yards for a TD in the first quarter.

Senior running back CJ Baxter, a Texas commit, then showcased his considerable skills when he rumbled 33 yards around left end for a touchdown in the second quarter. He finished with 123 yards rushing – all in the first half – as the Eagles were able to put in their reserves early and often.

Baxter was honored for being an All-American selection at halftime. “It has been an amazing year,” he said. “We’re playing together as a team. I think that’s the main thing.”

Kaden Shields-Dutton followed Baxter’s score with a 6-yard TD run and Carter ran 9 yards for a score to round out the first-half scoring.

Michael Clayton then threw a perfect 10-yard strike to 6-foot-6 tight end Camp Magee in the right corner of the end zone with 10 minutes, 7 seconds left in the third quarter, pushing Edgewater’s lead to 40-0. The game then went to a running clock.

“That’s a good football team,” said Timber Creek coach Jim Buckridge. “It’s one of the best, if not the best team, in the state.”

Timber Creek struggled all game getting anything going against a tenacious Edgewater defense. The Wolves had only 42 total yards at halftime, and less than 100 for the game.

Things went bad in a hurry for Timber Creek, which fumbled a punt snap that led to Edgewater’s second score and punted three other times in the first half, alone.

The Wolves then had a punt blocked on their first series of the second half, which led to Clayton’s TD pass.

Marcus Kral shined for Timber Creek, catching five passes for 59 yards. Quarterback AJ Williams passed for 80 yards but spent most of the night on the run for Timber Creek.

“We played hard at times,” Buckridge said. “We didn’t tackle very well on defense. It’s hard when you come here. I think the kids were psyched out even before they got on the field.”

In games on Monday, Oct. 10, Edgewater plays at Wekiva in a key Class 3M, District 3 game, and Timber Creek travels to Colonial for a Class 4M, District 3 contest.