Edgewater High School football team reflects on a special season

The Edgewater Eagles did not capture a state title in football this season, but they arguably attained something even more important — the hearts and minds of their community.

An inspiring season of varsity high-school football at Edgewater High School came to an end Friday, Nov. 30, as the Eagles fell to the Lakeland High School Dreadnaughts 56-21 in the state semifinal game.

Edgewater finished in the final four in Class 8A with an overall record of 12-2.

The Eagles put up a strong fight against the Dreadnaughts early and ended the first half down by only a touchdown in a close 21-14 battle. Lakeland got its offense going in the last two quarters though, and built a lead that Edgewater couldn’t overcome.

It may not have been the ending the Eagles wanted, but a look back to just two years ago, when the program was struggling to win one game, puts things in perspective, head coach Cameron Duke said.

“You’re excited to get here and go toe-to-toe in the first half with them; it was a good game,” Duke said. “The second half got out of hand a little bit, but our guys battled. I love this group.

“The guys were 0-10 two years ago, 9-3 (last year) and 12-2 this year, so the program’s in the right direction. I love these seniors,” he said. “Your heart breaks that it ends, but we played a great team tonight.”

Over the past two years with Duke as the new coach, Edgewater has gone 21-5 following that dismal 0-10 season in 2016. Duke said this year’s results were a testament to how hard the boys in red and white worked.

“It was a great year,” he said. “Lakeland’s a really good football team, and now it’s time to put our arms around these guys and let them know we love them win or lose and move on.”

A successful season wouldn’t have been possible without a complete team effort over the 14 games. On offense, senior quarterback R.J. Harvey took care of business with 107 completions for 1,815 yards and 115 carries for 1,350 yards. The Eagle will be headed to the University of Virginia next season but said he never will forget what his high-school team was able to accomplish.

“There were more fans coming to our games (this year), and you could see how many fans were here tonight, Harvey said. “We brought a lot of people together.”

“Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. I’m proud of my teammates — they’re all my brothers. I love ’em.”

Harvey had plenty of help. Isaiah Connelly led the way in the running game with 170 carries for 1,330 yards, while Cobe Stribling kept the receiving game going strong with 30 receptions for 685 yards.

A stout defense made many of those wins happen, as well. Shary Jefferson led the team with 105 total tackles during the season, with Deshaun Troutman right behind him with 104. Nate White led the team in sacks with 21.

Edgewater’s ability to turn things around over the past two seasons has given the College Park community something to be excited about and get behind, Duke said.

The pride — which the school had been so known for in years past — has been restored.

“I love this school, I love this community, and we appreciate the support,” Duke said. “We’re hoping to be in this environment and this game often. It’s good for us to be here and learn from it.”