A 1-3 team a month ago, Nease's Panthers are officially ready to pounce once more.
And that means one thing: Watch out.
Surviving a wind-tunnel night on the Atlantic Ocean and repeated comebacks from host
Fletcher, Nease made the big plays when they counted most to edge the Senators 31-27 in high school football Oct. 9 at Jack Taylor Stadium.
Northwestern-committed quarterback Aiden Phifer accumulated more than 300 total yards and the Panthers bounced back from three turnovers.
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![Nease quarterback Aiden Phifer and teammates celebrate after defeating Fletcher in high school football on Oct. 9, 2026. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2026/10/10/NFTU/92181966007-47893.jpg)
Every time Fletcher clawed back into the contest, Nease responded, with two touchdowns apiece for Tyshawn Ford and Jack Hoover.
Victory, Nease's third in succession, keeps the Panthers (4-3, 2-1) in prime position for second place in a brutally tough Florida High School Athletic Association District 2-5A.
This story will be expanded.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nease football surging after key district win at Fletcher. What's next?
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