Florida Preseason 2020

Presented by:

THE TRADITION CONTINUES

FLORIDA

FALL 2020

PRESEASON ITG Next | 1

2 | itgnext.com

We are Jacksonville’s Orthopaedic Institute Sports medicine provider for:

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Atlantic Coast High School

Bishop Kenny High School

Bishop John J. Snyder High School

joi.net

The Bolles School

Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Fernandina Beach High School

ITG Next | 3

4 | itgnext.com

Outfitting Teams Since 1997

WE ARE YOUR TEAM SPORTS EXPERTS

ITG Next | 5

Your child’s very own ERs! 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Care at 4 Locations

In an emergency, minutes count. That’s why it’s good to know there’s a Wolfson Children’s Emergency Center close to you.

Learn more at wolfsonchildrens.org/ER.

4 locations: 1 Main Hospital 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 904.202.2000

2

Baptist/Wolfson Children’s Emergency at Town Center 4085 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida 904.202.6800

3

Baptist Clay Medical Campus 1771 Baptist Clay Drive, Fleming Island, Florida (Intersection of U.S. 17 & Village Square Parkway)

904.516.1000

4

Baptist North Medical Campus 11250 Baptist Health Drive, Jacksonville, Florida (Intersection of Dunn Avenue & I-295)

904.202.6905 ITG Next | 7

Top 10 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders 15 IMG Academy Ascenders 16 Miami Northwestern Bulls 17 American Heritage Patriots 18 Apopka Blue Darters 19 Armwood Hawks 20 Chaminade-Madonna Lions 21 Jones Tigers 22 Booker T. Washington Tornadoes 23 Jesuit Tigers 24

AAAAAAAA Bartram Trail Bears 27 Mandarin Mustangs 28 Allen D. Nease Panthers 29 Oakleaf Knights 30 Sandalwood Saints 31 8 | itgnext.com

Steinbrenner Warriors 34

Englewood Rams 54

Clay Blue Devils 74

Miami Palmetto Panthers 35

Matanzas Pirates 55

Orange Park Raiders 75

Vero Beach Indians 37

Middleburg Broncos 56

Pedro Menendez Falcons 76

Ponte Vedra Sharks 57

Ridgeview Panthers 77

Robert E. Lee Generals 58

Godby Cougars 79

St. Augustine Yellow Jackets 59

Vanguard Knights 80

AAAAAAA Atlantic Coast Stingrays 39 Creekside Knights 40

Miami Central Rockets 63

Duncan U. Fletcher Senators 41 Fleming Island Golden Eagles 42

AAAAA

AAAA Bolles Bulldogs 83

Niceville Eagles 45

Baker County Wildcats 65

Fernandina Beach Pirates 84

Edgewater Eagles 46

Bishop Kenny Crusaders 66

West Nassau Warriors 85

Tampa Bay Tech Titans 47

Edward H. White Commanders 67

Keystone Heights Indians 86

Venice Indians 48

Jean Ribault Trojans 68

Palatka Panthers 87

Atlantic Eagles 49

Paxon Golden Eagles 69

Plantation Colonels 50

Terry Parker Braves 70

AAAAAA Columbia Tigers 53

Westside Wolverines 71 William M. Raines Vikings 72 Yulee Hornets 73

AAA Andrew Jackson Tigers 89 Baldwin Indians 90 Episcopal Eagles 91

Interlachen Rams 92 Trinity Christian Conquerors 93 Wolfson Wolfpack 94 Florida State Seminoles 97 Lakeland Christian Vikings 98

AA Eagle’s View Warriors 101

NFFC St. Johns Country Day Spartans 110

Football Extras

St. Joseph Flashes 113

Florida Top 10 12

SSAC

Coaching & COVID-19 14

Bishop Snyder Cardinals 115

Top 10 Schools for Athletes in Florida 96

Cedar Creek Saints 116 Christ’s Church Eagles 117

University Christian Christians 102

Senior’s Decision Day 118

Player Profiles Patrick Bryant | Atlantic Coast 43

A Fort White Indians 105 Hilliard Red Flashes 106 Madison County Cowboys 107 Union County Tigers 108

Michael Myslinski | Bishop Kenny 60 Treyaun Webb | Trinity Christian 95 JQuan Hicks | Sandalwood 112 Walter Simmons III | Oakleaf 114

The information, including game schedules, in this preview is accurate at the time of upload.

ITG Next | 9

Our Team Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editor Kyle Grondin Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Eric Vinson Dreaming Wild Photography Player Profile Photography Allen Allnoch Tyrah Walker

Mark Dykes

Mandy Douthit

aNNA Limoges

Chief Executive Officer

Creative Director

director of operations

Founder Mark Dykes is the entrepreneur and mastermind behind the In the Game vision. Back in 2007, Mark set out to create a company that captured the passion, intensity, and unrivaled commitment toward high school athletics in the South Georgia area. Today, that vision has become a reality, and he continues to be the leading influence in what lies ahead for In the Game, despite his annual prediction that UGA will win the National Championship.

As a Pine Mountain, Georgia, native, Mandy’s move to Valdosta has brought enhanced artistry and intricacy to the ITG design team. The University of West Georgia alum graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in art with a concentration in graphic design. Her artistic nature has allowed her to use graphic design to win national and international design competitions, all of which are meant to serve as diversions and coping mechanisms for Alabama’s loss in the National Championship.

Anna became a member of the ITG Next team in 2016, serving as an intern for three semesters. After graduating from Valdosta State University in 2017, she remained with the team as an editor, devoting her editorial eye to the company for two years before becoming the Director of Operations. In her free time, Anna enjoys reading and writing. More importantly, although she claims to be a fan of the New Orleans Saints, there is fortunately no other sign of such irrational fandom.

Andrew Pipkin Account Executive

Kyle Grondin

Phil Jones

Born and raised in South Georgia, Andrew attended Valdosta State University where he obtained a degree in marketing and business. He is passionate about sports, especially high school football (Go Cats!). Andrew’s focus is to develop and cultivate relationships with businesses all around South Georgia. Like so many other Georgia Bulldogs fans, his hopes of a national championship increase every year, but in the end they are just long lost dreams.

Kyle is a senior at Valdosta State University working toward a Bachelor of Arts in English with a track in journalism. He transferred to Valdosta with his wife from UCF and hopes to become a world class sports journalist. Most days, Kyle is taking his dog Stella for walks or playing sports at the local gym. Kyle is a bigtime UCF Knight fan, so you know he’s willing to claim himself the national champion of everything with little evidence supporting his cause.

Phil Jones is a native of South Georgia and calls Valdosta home. He is a 19-year veteran of the newspaper business, during which time he served as chairman of the Georgia Press Association’s Sales and Marketing Committee. He was also recognized as the state’s top newspaper circulation and sales director in 2002. Phil has worked in the radio industry for the last 12 years as host of The Afternoon Sports Drive, a daily sports show devoted mostly to high school football and other local sports.

Tyrah Walker

Max Steel

Brandon Pham

Broadcaster

Videographer

Videographer

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Tyrah Walker is excited to join the ITG Next family as one of the on-air hosts. A graduate of the preeminent University of South Florida, she received her bachelor's degree in mass communications with an emphasis in broadcast news (Go, Bulls!).

Tyrah is also an author. She is looking forward to sharing sports stories with the community. When she's not hosting or blogging, Tyrah enjoys reading, photography, and spending time with family.

Originally from Decatur, Georgia, Max attended Valdosta State University and graduated with a degree in mass media.

A former college cross country runner, Max now works at ITG Next as a videographer and currently resides in Thomasville, Georgia. When not at ITG Next, Max enjoys working out and creating short films.

Brandon recently graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in mass media. He is a sports videographer ready to get back into the action. He prefers to use Sony cameras. He currently uses a Sony 6300 but will be getting the new Sony A7siii. His dream is to be a videographer for the NFL or any sports team. His favorite sports team is Orlando City SC even though they’ve never been to the playoffs.

Feature Writers Kyle Grondin Phil Jones Advertising/Marketing Andrew Pipkin andrew@itgnext.com Mark Dykes mark@itgnext.com Digital Manager Mandy Douthit

ITG Next is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. M&S makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2020 M&S. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458

10 | itgnext.com

Sports Writer

Broadcaster/Writer

Contributing Photographer Eric Vinson is a native of Lowndes County and a graduate of Valdosta High School. He recently got his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Valdosta State University in mass media. Eric loves taking photos, watching sports, and producing music.

Tell us what you thought about the Summer issue of ITG Next! info@itgnext.com

Want to Join the Intern Team?

Apply online at itgnext.com

Graphic Design Social Media Journalism

Photography Videography Marketing

@ITGNext

Friday Night Lights T-Shirt

Go to

Train Insane T-Shirt

If you’re in search of great stories, we have the answer.

itgnext.com

features apparel, stories from the magazine, and much more all at your finger tips. There is even a spot to submit your story ideas to us.

Classic T-Shirt

itgnext.com to Get In the Game today!

BE IN THE GAME

Eric Vinson

ITG Next | 11

Written by: Kyle Grondin

PASSING LEADERS

RUSHING LEADERS

Torey Morrison Booker T. Washington 3,758 YDS

JJ McCarthy IMG Academy 2,820 YDS

Taron Dickens Miami Northwestern 2,318 YDS

Tysan Robbins Jones 1,786 YDS

Jaquan Lowman Apopka 1,396 YDS

Anthony Hankerson St. Thomas Aquinas 1,185 YDS

Kaytron Allen IMG Academy 1,097YDS

Siddiq Jackson Miami Northwestern 782 YDS

GAMES TO WATCH Miami Northwestern @ IMG Academy

Booker T. Washington @ Miami Northwestern

Jones @ Apopka

Two of the top teams in the state of Florida, IMG’s loaded roster takes on the state’s toughest test. JJ McCarthy faces an early test to his IMG debut, as he takes on a defense loaded with Division 1 talent, namely top-rated outside linebacker Terrence Lewis. This is a game to watch as Northwestern looks to make a name for itself in 2020.

Speaking of Northwestern again, this defense gets another major test in the best receiver in the state of Florida: Jacorey Brooks at Booker T. Washington. Brooks is blessed with great size and catches everything, and the Bulls secondary will have their hands full with this talented player.

The battle for Orlando will resume once again, with the matchup against Apopka and Jones. Jones gained the upper hand last season in a 21-12 These two teams and Edgewater were the top in the area last season, and it’s fair to assume they will once again be the game to watch next season. Apopka will lean heavily on Jaquan Lowman, their star quarterback from last season.

12 | itgnext.com

NOTABLE CHANGES The rich continue to get richer in the state of Florida, as IMG Academy is blessed with the arrival of JJ McCarthy. The Michigan football commit is every bit as good as advertised, with perhaps the best arm talent of any quarterback in the class of 2021. In two years at Nazareth Academy in Illinois, he threw for 6,268 yards and 73 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions. With McCarthy at the helm, IMG Academy is thinking national championship in 2020.

RECEIVING LEADERS

RECEIVING LEADERS

Jacorey Brooks

AJ Cottrill

IMG Academy 1,187 YDs

Jesuit 152 TKs

Romello Brinson

Amarhi McCray

Miami Northwestern 834 YDs

Miami Northwestern 115 TKs

Charles Montgomery

David Vadala

Armwood 720 YDs

American Heritage 114 TKs

Khalil Brantley

Terrence Lewis

Miami Northwestern 626 YDs

Miami Northwestern 105 TKs

TOP TEN RANKINGS 5A

1

2

St. Thomas Aquinas

6

IMG Academy

7 Armwood

Chaminade-Madonna

3

4

Miami Northwestern

Jones

Apopka

American Heritage

9

8

5

Booker T. Washington

10 Jesuit

ITG Next | 13

Coaching & COVID-19 Written by: Jon Nelson

I think we may be heading toward a different place in sports.

Hear me out for a sec.

In this new normal we’re in, I remember how it was playing the sports I loved growing up.

If I was injured, got a knock, got a stinger, or anything like that, I was always told, “Shake it off,” “Put some dirt on it,” or the ever-popular, “Ah, you’ll be okay,” followed by a wave of the hand by the coach – experienced or otherwise.

These days, I talk to coaches who are fathers and husbands who are looking at their games through a different prism. They want to know when a student-athlete isn’t feeling well, not just for the one but for everyone who could be affected by the sickness of another. They want to know, ahead of time, if a student-athlete isn’t coming to work out. They want to know, ahead of time, so they can prepare otherwise. They want to know, ahead of time, so they can tell you to stay home.

They want those phone calls.

It’s no longer a situation where a student-athlete, if they’re not feeling well, still shows up and guts it out. It’s no longer a situation where a student-athlete isn’t a “real man” if he doesn’t show up to something. You’re more of a man by not being a part of your team and taking care of everyone around you with an absence.

I talk to coaches who are also fathers of young children, some very young.

They shower first thing when they get home because they want to be as safe in front of their wives and children and have as normal of a life as possible. Some look into the great unknown every day and get teaching lessons about those things I talked about above.

Coaches have become avid readers these days trying to find and digest as much information as they can, and a lot of times conversations with fellow coaches can yield as much information as what they learn in their day-to-day. They have become each other’s best set of resource materials and sounding boards. As a part of their new dossiers, some of the best advice has been about focus, listening, and taking what we all grew up with as norms and putting them to the side.

When these coaches drive a sick kid home because they have no other means, that act takes on a whole new level of meaning, not just to a family, but a community.

I think we’re all learning as we go these days, to be honest.

At the same time, I think we can be just as effective a teacher by paying those lessons forward.

Play it safe, everyone! I’ll talk to you soon!

14 | itgnext.com

WHAT TO EXPECT If the Raiders are going to top last season’s performance, they’ll have to come up with a special season in 2020. The Fort Lauderdale school is coming off a perfect 15-0 season where they soundly defeated every opponent, including shutout victories in seven of the 15 wins on their way to the Class 7A state championship and a victory against Saint Louis (Hawaii) in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series.

Head coach Roger Harriott said that while his program has great players year after year, this season will see several key contributors from last year’s team moving on to play collegiately. Harriott has three starters returning on offense and three on defense, but several players are coming back who saw meaningful minutes last season.

A couple of juniors will lead the returning skill position players this year. Quarterback Zion Turner and running back Anthony Hankerson are back. They’re joined by senior wideouts Quincy Skinnner and Jake Harrington, whom Harriott said he plans to use in several ways to help the team.

The defense is absolutely riddled with guys who saw minutes last season, even though they may not have been a part of the starting lineup. They include Mason Taylor, who will see action on offense and defense, as will athlete Antonio Spencer. The defensive line features Florida commit Tyreak Sapp, Colorado commit Alan Baugh, and Boaz Saint-Vil, whom Harriott calls “one of the top linemen in the country.” Safety Jai-Den Burroughs, who has committed to Michigan, returns. Punter and kicker Noah Botsford will return to give the Raiders stability in their special teams.

Head Coach: Roger Harriot

KEY LOSSES The players graduating and moving on to play college football rate among the who’s who of top high school players in the country. Among the top losses are receiver Marcus Rosemy, who will attend Georgia, and linebacker Derek Wingo, who will play for the Florida Gators. Offensive lineman Marcus Dummerville will attend LSU, while defensive lineman Riyad Wilmot will attend and play for Maryland. Cornerback Javonte Royal will attend Pitt.

2019 STATS 15 Wins 610 150 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of sun-sentinel.com

Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 4 - 7A

overall record

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Who will stop the Raiders in 2020? Nobody. Look for the Raiders to win the state title once again.

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 15

2019 STATS overall record 9

Wins 361

Head Coach: Bobby Acosta

131

1 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of imgacademy.com

WHAT TO EXPECT When at IMG Academy, the expectation isn’t just winning. It’s domination, national championships, and multiple Division I players on the roster. Indeed, IMG is a football player producing factory, with 16 players in the class of 2021 ranked in the top 230 of the state of Florida and eight players ranked in the top 99 of the early 2022 class.

While unable to compete in FHSAA’s state tournament due to their prep school moniker, IMG Academy plays for the voted upon national championship and plays a national schedule. They lost one game to St. Frances Academy in 2019 and will look to bounce back in a big way in 2020. This team simply isn’t built to lose football games.

What makes this team incredible year after year is the national talent they bring in. IMG has the nation’s best offensive line led by J.C. Latham; a top-three quarterback in J.J. McCarthy; and two great running backs in Lovasea Carroll and junior Kaytron Allen. However you put it, IMG is the best at it.

KEY LOSSES

INDEPENDENT

IMG ACADEMY

WHO’S BACK

16 | itgnext.com

This team has changeover every year, but Demonte Capehart was the top player to graduate. He was the No. 33 player in the entire country, according to 247Sports. He joined one of the best defensive line universities in the country at Clemson after a strong senior season.

10-0. This is an impressive class, even for IMG Academy.

A national championship is in the cards.

2019 STATS overall record 13

Wins 544 186

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of hudl.com

Head Coach: Max Edwards

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK The Bulls have 12 players ranked in the top 250 in the state of Florida for the class of 2021. They’re led by incredible freak athlete Terrence Lewis, who is the best linebacker in the country. He can rush the passer off the edge with the best of them given his incredible athletic ability.

Along with Lewis, wide receiver Romello Brinson and safety Kamren Kinchens bring the athleticism to Northwestern. This team plays fast enough that they should dominate the 5A classification once again.

KEY LOSSES

8-2. Some tough games in non-region play won’t leave them unscathed, but a state championship should be the expectation again.

REGION 4 - 5A

Nathaniel Noel finished with the most rushing yards on the team last season. He finished with 1,353 yards and 18 touchdowns before signing to play for Appalachian State this season.

The other top player was Wati Huggins, a standout defensive end who finished with over 60 tackles and 14 sacks last season. Other top Bulls to graduate were wide receiver Marcus Fleming, cornerback Ronald Delancey III, and running back Andre Stringfield.

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN

Not much could go wrong for Miami Northwestern. Long one of the strongest programs in the 5A classification, they only lost two games last year: once was to national powerhouse IMG Academy and once to Lowndes High School of Valdosta, Georgia. Lowndes was also a top-20 team in the nation and much larger than Northwestern.

Outside of that, the Bulls were just better. Bigger, faster, stronger, they had one win within single digits on their way to the state championship. 2020 should be much of the same with a great quarterback who made big plays as a freshman and an offense and defense littered with Power Five college football talent.

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 17

2019 STATS overall record 10

Wins

Head Coach: Pat Surtain

445

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

152

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

This South Florida football powerhouse is considered a candidate to compete for a state championship each season, and according to head coach Patrick Surtain, the upcoming season is no different.

“Our expectations are always the same year in and year out: We expect to win a state championship,” Surtain said.

He is hoping to return American Heritage to the championship years of 2016 and 2017, when they finished undefeated both seasons en route to state titles.

The Patriots will have 10 total returning starters, five on each side of the ball.

The Patriots pick up a high-motor defensive lineman this season in Belizaire Bassette, The junior transfers in from rival Monsignor Pace. Returning from last season’s roster will be a group of talented defensive backs, including safety James Williams, considered by several recruiting services as the top safety in the country. He’ll have fellow safety Brooks Silvera as a solid partner to work alongside. Junior cornerback Earl Little will be counted on to lock down opposing receivers this season.

A couple of sophomores will be counted on to lead the Pats. Running back Mark Fletcher and quarterback Blake Murphy will lead the offense, with receiver Vinson Davis figuring to be one of Murphy’s favorite targets. Surtain pointed out junior linebacker Jaeden Kinlock as one to watch this season.

“Remember that name,” Surtain said of Kinlock.

“He’s a player.”

KEY LOSSES

REGION 4 - 5A

AMERICAN HERITAGE (PLANTATION)

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of American Heritage via Twitter

18 | itgnext.com

Surtain said the team will miss four big playmakers who will all play college football this season. Quarterback Edwin Rhodes has graduated and will take his talents to Tennesee Tech University. Surtain said the Patriots will miss Rhodes’ 42 touchdowns from last season.

His favorite target last season, receiver Douglas Emilien, has graduated and will play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Lineman Khristopher Love signed with the Terrapins of Maryland. Cornerback Darrel Porter signed with West Virginia.

“I hope they left behind the blueprint for their replacements,” Surtain said.

A lot of talent returning means a solid shot at another state championship for Surtain and his Patriots.

2019 STATS overall record 12

Wins 409

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

143 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Apopka Football via Twitter

Head Coach: Jeff Rolson

WHAT TO EXPECT The Blue Darters are looking to put a tough finish to the 2019 season behind them while they make another run at a state championship. They were oh so close last year, holding a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter of the Florida Class 8A state title contest in Daytona Beach. But Apopka couldn’t hold on and lost a heartbreaking 21-20 decision to eventual state champion Miami-Columbus.

Apopka head coach Jeff Rolson will have five starters returning on offense and eight on defense, and that experience is something Rolson feels pretty good about heading into his second season with the team.

“We’ve certainly got a lot of talent and experience coming back,” Rolson said.

Key returners include starting quarterback Jaquan Lowman, who will also see time at defensive back, according to Rolson.

“Jaquan actually played defensive back two seasons ago and was our leading tackler, so we’ll have him back there again this year,” Rolson said. “He’s a very good player on both sides of the ball.”

Lowman is entertaining several offers for his services, including some from South Florida, Florida Atlantic, and Cincinnati.

Running back Curtis Spivey and outside linebackers Travion Barnes and Josiah Robinson will be back on defense, as will highly recruited cornerback Nikia Martinez.

Rolson said the Blue Darters are going to have to find a way to replace defensive tackle Jaylin Carter, an Under Armour All-American who has graduated and is heading to play for Kirby Smart and the University of Georgia. On offense, tight end Jaylen Williams has graduated and will play at Garden City Community College.

Apopka is no stranger to losing big-time players and starting over. They are a state powerhouse, having won three titles over the last 19 years. With a lot of key contributors returning this season, look for Apopka to win the district and region once again and make yet another run at a state title in Class 8A.

APOPKA

KEY LOSSES

REGION 4 - 8A

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 19

2019 STATS overall record 12

Wins

Head Coach: Evan Davis

484 107

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of tampabay.com

WHAT TO EXPECT One of the most successful programs in Florida during the 21st century, Armwood has been a staple of consistency. In the last 20 years, the Hawks have won nine or more games every year and have lost more than two games just once on their way to three state championships. (They had two seasons’ worth of wins vacated, including a 2011 state championship, but went 29-1 in those two seasons.)

Last season was just as impressive. They whipped off 11 straight wins after losing a double overtime contest to North Gwinnett in Week 2 and rolled all the way to the semifinals. During that win streak, each win was by double digits, and the defense had eight shutouts over their 14 games.

2020 should be much of the same, as it’d be silly to discount the Hawks as anything less than a state championship contender given their pedigree.

The other half of that wide receiver duo is Charles Montgomery, who was the top receiver on the team last year with 720 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a little undersized, but is a burner for the Hawks and should have a big season as the clear number one target for quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom, who finished with 2,066 total yards in 2019.

The defense should be good once again, led by defensive tackle Desmond Watson and cornerback Noah Biglow, who led the team with six interceptions last year.

REGION 2 - 7A

ARMWOOD

WHO’S BACK

20 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES The defense may regress a bit in 2020 just because it was stacked last season. The biggest name, and biggest person, was Clyde Pinder Jr., who finished with 12 sacks last year. He was a four-star recruit on his way to North Carolina, and overall the Hawks lose their top three sack leaders, who combined for 38 sacks last season.

Another big loss is a junior in Agiye Hall, who transferred to Bloomingdale. He made up half of one of the top wide receiver duos in the country.

9-1. Their final schedule could feature some tough opponents, but Armwood is well equipped for another strong season.

WHO’S BACK

Three straight state championships. Chaminade-Madonna Prep has constantly produced the top level talent in the state of Florida and once again come into the season as the favorites to take home the state championship. They rolled through the playoffs this past season, outsourcing teams 154 to 27 and winning the championship 35-20. With a program like Chaminade-Madonna, the expectation isn’t just to win it all, but to consistently be voted as one of the best small schools in the country. The 3A classification is owned by the Lions.

This season, the expectations are once again sky high. MaxPreps has rated Chaminade-Madonna as the second-best small school football team in the country again. They’ll be a contender, and with the top talent on the roster, the Lions could see silverware for a fourth year in a row.

The best player on the offense last season, and the player the Lions built their game plan around, was Thad Franklin at running back. He collected over 2,200 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns last season while propelling this offense to a championship. If they can continue to produce a solid offensive line in front of him, then Franklin could eclipse even his own gaudy numbers from 2019.

Chaminade-Madonna also has a talented defense, but no player is more talented perhaps than Kenyatta Jackson. The rising junior is a beast at the defensive end position and finished the year with nine sacks.

With the talent around him, he should hit the double-digit mark in 2020.

8-1. There’s a tough game against Northwestern on their schedule, but nothing should get in the path of these Lions.

The Lions lost eight big-time recruits to graduation in 2019. The top player to graduate was Quadric Bullard, who finished the season with 67 tackles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

Chaminade-Madonna’s biggest questions will be on the offensive line. Offensive tackle Joseph Habinowski and offensive guard Jeremiah Mawali graduated in 2020. Replacing them on the offensive line will be tough; however, the bulk of the team remains intact with a lot of skill position talent returning and looking to make an impact.

Head Coach: Dameon Jones

KEY LOSSES

2019 STATS 12

Wins 461 130 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of hudl.com

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 4 - 3A

overall record

CHAMINADE-MADONNA

WHAT TO EXPECT

ITG Next | 21

2019 STATS overall record 13

Wins 567

Head Coach: Elijah Williams

206

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of Jones High School - OCPS via Facebook

WHAT TO EXPECT It wasn’t long ago that people didn’t view Jones as a threat to winning a state championship. For much of the century, the team was riddled with mediocrity, struggling to find any consistency.

But under new head coach Elijah Williams, the Tigers have double digit-wins for three straight seasons, including their state championship appearance last season. They were a strong competitor that looked like they could challenge Miami Northwestern in the final, but came up short in the final losing 34-17. There’s still a lot of reason for optimism in 2020. Led by a great offense, the Tigers should be back in the hunt for a postseason berth.

WHO’S BACK Javonte Gardner is the top returning player for Jones. Standing at 6-foot-5 and nearly 300 pounds, the big offensive tackle has already committed to Florida and is a great athlete at the tackle spot.

Another strong player for the Tigers is tight end Anthony Rucker, who had 237 yards and a couple of touchdowns. He becomes the top target for returning starting quarterback Tysan Robbins.

REGION 2 - 5A

JONES

KEY LOSSES

22 | itgnext.com

Running back Avarius Sparrow was the top player for the offense in 2019, leading the way with over 2,000 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. He had four games in which he rushed for over 200 yards last season, and he was a catalyst for a lot of what Jones did on offense. Sparrow is now heading to West Virginia to suit up for the Mountaineers.

Jones also loses their top offensive lineman in guard Evan Anderson, who is going on to FAU. Two key members of the secondary also graduate in Johnathan Johnson and Dominik Hill. Johnson contributed 50 tackles last season, while Hill led the team with six interceptions.

8-2. No reason to overthink it. Under Elijah Williams, Jones will make the playoffs and get another 10 wins as they advance deep in the playoffs.

2019 STATS overall record 13

Wins

2 Losses Points Scored

469

Head Coach: Gerald Cox

Points Allowed

227 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of miamiherald.com

Wash. Rinse. Win state. Repeat. Booker T. Washington is a team that just wins and has success. They’re one of the best teams in the state of Florida year after year for a reason. But after winning three straight state championships from 2012 to 2014, the Tornadoes took a step back the last couple of seasons. 2019 was filled with emotions as head coach Earl Tillman spent the majority of the season battling pancreatic cancer.

That made the state championship all the more special, and now with new coach Gerald Cox, the Tornadoes look to continue the momentum into another run. This team constantly produces top tier college football talent.

Anything less than at least a semifinal appearance would be a disappointment, and a state championship is all but expected for Booker T. Washington.

KEY LOSSES

There’s a handful of players to replace, but plenty of returning talent. While Booker T. Washington lost three of their top four receivers, their top receiver is back. That is five-star wide receiver Jacorey Brooks.

He averaged nearly seven receptions a game and finished last season with 1,281 yards and 18 touchdowns, helping the Tornadoes win a state championship. He catches everything and is rated as the second-best wide receiver in the country.

Eric Smith Jr. comes in from Pensacola to join the receiving core, and the defense will be led by defensive tackle Anthony Hundley and cornerback Rance Cooper. The Tornadoes are loaded once again.

The Tornadoes lose a number of players on both sides of the ball. It starts with losing three of their top four wide receivers, led by Theodore Richardson and Macho Arza. They combined for 1,017 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. They also lose their top running back on offense in Shemar Paul. The talented player finished with 787 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Booker T. Washington lost two big-time defensive ends in Eric Thomas and Tramel Logan, who both stood out and were anchors on the defensive line. At the back, cornerback Corey Thornton also graduated.

9-1. Even facing another difficult schedule, the Tornadoes should roll through and compete for state again.

REGION 4 - 4A

WHO’S BACK

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

WHAT TO EXPECT

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 23

2019 STATS overall record 11

Wins

3 Losses Points Scored

514

Points Allowed

216 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Jesuit High School of Tampa via Facebook

Head Coach: Matt Thompson

WHAT TO EXPECT The Tigers are one of the premier high school football programs in the Tampa area, bolstered by top talent year after year. The Tigers have made it to the Florida Class 5A state semifinals four of the past five seasons. That includes a 2019 season that saw Jesuit finish 11-3 overall with a perfect 5-0 finish in District 12.

The season started off a bit rocky with Jesuit losing two of their first three games. But after the 1-2 start, the Tigers reeled off 10 wins in a row, including two playoff victories. Their hopes of reaching the state title game were dashed once again as they lost 42-21 to Miami Northwestern in the state semifinal contest.

The Tigers are hoping that this will finally be the breakthrough year. Head coach Matt Thompson will begin his eighth season at Jesuit, where he has compiled a 59-18 overall record, including a 13-6 playoff mark. He’ll have a few returning pieces from last season, but will also have to find a way to replace some big-time playmakers, several of whom signed college scholarships to continue their football careers at the next level. Thompson has been through this before, though, as it’s part of the drill at the prestigious private school.

WHO’S BACK

REGION 3 - 5A

JESUIT

Senior quarterback Kiael Kelly will return to run the offense again this season. Joining him will be running back Ricky Parks, who is choosing between Iowa and Virginia. Sophomore athlete Joquez Smith returns to give the Tigers a threat on offense and special teams. On defense, junior cornerback Junior Vanderdoss returns, as does junior linebacker A.J. Cottrell.

24 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES The losses are huge. Seven players move on to play college football, including the trio of Brett Gerena, Raleigh Oxendine, and Spencer Williams, all of whom will attend Army West Point. Lineman Connor McLaughlin will attend Stanford, tight end Johnathan Odum will head to Florida, and kicker Cade Freeman will attend Wabash University.

Despite the numerous losses to graduation, look for Thompson to have Jesuit right back competing for a playoff spot. They’re accustomed to having to reload, so don’t be surprised to see Jesuit making another deep run in the playoffs.

ITG Next | 25

JUMP INTO YOUTH SPORTS AT THE Y! • Spring Volleyball & Flag Football • Elite Basketball Skills Training • AAU & All-Star Basketball Tryouts

ALL SKILL LEVELS. ALL AGES. 26 | itgnext.com

LEARN MORE

FCYMCA.org

2019 STATS overall record 11

Wins 420 224

1 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Head Coach: Darrell Sutherland

WHAT TO EXPECT Eleven straight wins to open the 2019 season gave the Bears high hopes for a potential state championship.

But in the second round of the playoffs, they fell to Apopka, who very nearly won the state championship. It was a tough draw for a talented Bartram Trail team, as they were one of the best in the state of Florida. They hope to keep the momentum going in 2020.

There will be some changeover for Bartram Trail, however, and how this team adjusts and brings in some young talent will be the key to their success in 2020. They have a difficult schedule, but the Bears have pieces to make another run.

Incoming transfer Santino Marucci enters the building as one of the top quarterback recruits in the state. He committed to Wake Forest in the offseason before transferring from Benjamin and will slot in as starter for 2020.

He’ll have another transfer coming in: Braylon Fowler from Louisiana, who is committed to the Air Force. The two talented players will come into Jacksonville to pair with A.J. Jones III at running back and Eric Weatherly at wide receiver. This offense will be good in 2020.

KEY LOSSES

8-2. A tough schedule will give them a couple of losses, but the Bears should once again be one of the best teams in the state.

REGION 1 - 8A

Starting quarterback Chad Dodson finished his senior season with over 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns to only five interceptions. He’ll be enrolled at Pitt State this season after a successful year for Bartram Trail.

The best player on the team last season was Tre’Vez Johnson at safety. He’s enrolled at the University of Florida after finishing the season with 50 tackles, with seven tackles for loss, and as second on the team with four interceptions. He was a game changer who will surely be missed on defense.

BARTRAM TRAIL

WHO’S BACK

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 27

2019 STATS overall record Wins

7

307

Head Coach: Bobby Ramsay

302

4

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: ITG Next

WHAT TO EXPECT 2018 was a magical season for the Mandarin Mustangs. Led by superstar quarterback Carson Beck and a strong senior class, they had an incredible offensive outburst that led to a state championship victory. 2019 didn’t see the same fate.

The Mustangs were a solid 7-3, but struggled against the top teams, including big losses to Bartram Trail and St. Thomas Aquinas. The loss of their senior class was too much to make up for, and they lost in the first round of the playoffs. But having a young team means rising experience in the fold, and despite the loss of their quarterback, they should have a stronger overall roster. They should have another strong season in 2020.

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 8A

MANDARIN

Quite a lot. The Mustangs have a lot of growing talent. Jaylen Smith is their top returning offensive player. He finished last season with 661 yards and eight touchdowns and is the top option among a lot of offensive talent returning for their new quarterback.

On defense, linebacker Nic Mitchell is the top guy, and he finished last year with 60 tackles over seven games. With a full season, he should put up big numbers.

28 | itgnext.com

Carson Beck was one of the top rated quarterbacks in the entire country. A junior season for the ages saw him throw for well over 3,000 yards and lead the Mustangs to a state championship. His senior year saw his numbers dip slightly, but most of that was due to losing his offensive line, top receiving targets, and running back.

He’ll head to the University of Georgia in 2020.

K’Darious Poole was the top defensive player to graduate. He led the team with 145 tackles, including 90 solo tackles.

7-3. Another tough schedule, but expect another strong showing from Mandarin.

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

It’s been a long time since we were excited about a Nease football team. The mid-2000s saw their best years to date, during which they won a state championship in 2005 and come up just short in 2006 and 2007. 2019 was a step in the wrong direction, as they went 1-9 and struggled to stop teams on defense; they gave up 38.6 points per game on the year.

New head coach Collin Drafts knew he had to rebuild this program when he took over the job, and now he’s hoping a year under his belt will see some improvement from the Panthers. They have nowhere to go but up.

The good news for the Panthers is that they have some young talent waiting in the wings. At wide receiver, two sophomores put together solid seasons in Donavan Wilson and Grant Stevens. They’ll take over as the top targets on offense and could be responsible for Nease having success on that side of the ball.

Safety Joshua Ealey is also a player to keep an eye on. He’s athletic and does just about everything for the Panthers, as he finished with 54 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble. He can be a difference maker that helps the defense turn it around.

It will begin to get better for Nease, but the rebuild will still take a couple more seasons.

Head Coach: Collin Drafts

KEY LOSSES

2019 STATS overall record 9

250

Points Scored 386

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of jacksonville.com

Losses

Points Allowed

REGION 1 - 7A

1 Wins

ALLEN D. NEASE

The Panthers were actually a solid offensive team last season. They scored 25 points per game behind good play from quarterback Joe Nieves. He did a lot for Nease, leading the team in passing and rushing with 2,019 yards and 985 yards, respectively, and 31 touchdowns. He’ll be playing at Shorter University this season.

Nieves’ top target at wide receiver, Joe Bradshaw, also graduates after a solid senior season. He led the team with 767 yards and seven touchdowns.

Craig Dewhurst

315 W Town Place Suite 4 World Golf Village St Augustine, FL 32092-3105

Phone: 904-940-9740 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings & Weekend by Appt.

ITG Next | 29

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 335

Head Coach: Frank Garis

REGION 1 - 7A

OAKLEAF

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

188 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: Allen Allnoch

WHAT TO EXPECT

KEY LOSSES

It has been an up and down decade for Oakleaf.

Good seasons sprinkled in with bad, they’ve had a 12-1 season and a winless season. Last year saw a solid team that went 7-3, but missed out on the playoffs.

Two of their losses came in region play and saw them just on the outside at the end of the season.

Oakleaf head coach Frank Garis saw a step forward in the team’s performance from his first season.

A handful of talent returning, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, means the Knights could get over that hump in 2020 and reach the playoffs.

The Knights lose three major contributors to the team’s success. Defensive end Chantz Williams was the top defensive player on the team. He played three sports for Oakleaf and set the school record for shot blocks for a career by his junior season. The big-time athlete has signed to play for Miami and their great defensive unit.

Oakleaf had a big-time offensive tackle graduate and also signed with Miami. Jalen Rivers was a monster for the team, standing at 6-foot-6 and over 330 pounds. He was already college football ready before graduation, and the Knights will need to replace him as an anchor to the team.

Donovan Thomas at safety is another key player to graduate for the Knights.

WHO’S BACK The offense for Oakleaf will go as far as quarterback Walter Simmons III takes them. The talented dual-threat quarterback led the team in passing and rushing for much of the season and finished the year with 2,506 total yards and 22 touchdowns. He’ll look to top last year in his senior season with this offense.

The defense will be led by two incredible athletes in Larry Smith and Devin Smith. The safety and linebacker, respectively, lead this group once again in 2020.

Chris Nickas 9542 Argyle Forest Blvd Suite 12 Jacksonville, FL 32222-2826 Phone: 904-854-4700 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm After Hours by Appointment

30 | itgnext.com

3

7-3. I predict the same record, but Oakleaf makes the playoffs and finally gets over that hump in Garis’ third year.

2019 STATS overall record Wins

3

5

Losses

205

Points Scored

206

Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Head Coach: Adam Geis

WHAT TO EXPECT It was a tumultuous season for Sandalwood, who ended their run of four straight winning seasons. The team did a solid job of scoring, but didn’t do anything particularly great last season. Perhaps what was most surprising for the Saints is how good their 2020 class was, but they were unable to put together the wins necessary to reach a playoff spot.

Longtime head coach Adam Geis will look to rebound the team with some solid players on defense and regain the momentum Sandalwood had last year.

WHO’S BACK

Branden Jennings is debatably the best linebacker in the country for the class of 2021. He is a tackling machine for the Saints and a 2019 All Space Coast player. What makes Jennings so great is his athletic ability to play on the outside while also having the size to be an elite level player at the inside linebacker position.

The Saints improve, but lost too much talent to get back above .500 for next season.

REGION 1 - 8A

KEY LOSSES

SANDALWOOD

The Saints had seven Division I players graduate in the class of 2020. They were led by Jeff Sims, one of the top quarterbacks in the country who graduated and signed with Georgia Tech. Sims was the 10th-best dual-threat quarterback in the country in the class and finished his career with the Saints after gathering offers from some of the best universities in the nation. He amassed more than 5,000 yards passing, 1,200 yards rushing, and 55 total touchdowns in three years starting with the Saints. He accounted for 23 touchdowns while throwing only three interceptions as a senior in 2019.

Along with Sims, his top weapons on offense in tight end Cornelius Forrest Jr., wide receiver Javonte Kinsey, and wide receiver Jhaylin Embry all graduated. Guard Kobe Baynes and defensive players Jahquez Robinson and Derek Bermudez are all playing at the next level as well.

ITG Next | 31

HERE TO HELP L

Gene Coleman 10900 Lem Turner Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-764-4139 32 | itgnext.com

Michael Tauzel 13170 Atlantic Blvd Suite 58 Jacksonville, FL 32225 904-425-4100

Chris Nickas 9542 Argyle Forest Blvd Suite 12 Jacksonville, FL 32222 904-854-4700

LIFE GO RIGHT

Craig Dewhurst 315 W Town Pl Suite 4 St Augustine, FL 32092 904-940-9740

Randy Taylor 3041-1 Monument Road Jacksonville, FL 32225 904-642-2400

Ray Moore 109 New Berlin Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-751-6643 ITG Next | 33

2019 STATS overall record 12

Wins

2 Losses Points Scored

597 185

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of orlandosentinel.com

Head Coach: Andres Perez

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK The returning starters will be led by athlete Dion Silas, a four-year starter. The senior is an Iowa State commit and will be looked to as the leader on offense, Perez said. He’ll have senior wideout Jett Law joining him in the offensive huddle. Senior lineman Feyi Williams will also be back.

Defensive returners are safety Matthew Durants, linebacker Austin “Bull” Brannen, and outside linebacker T.J. Hubble.

REGION 2 - 8A

STEINBRENNER

Head coach Andrez Perez has seen it all during his time at Steinbrenner. He has been at the Tampa school since its beginning in 2009. He spent his first two seasons as the offensive coordinator before taking over as the Warriors head coach in 2012. He and his staff have been looking to build a consistently winning program every year, and last season may have actually started something to build on. The Warriors enjoyed a true breakout season with a 12-2 finish, a district championship, and a region championship. That state championship remains elusive, as Steinbrenner made it to the semifinals with a loss to Opapka bringing an end to an otherwise magical season.

Perez wants to build on last year’s success.

“Our goal is to repeat as district and region champions; it’s that simple,” he said. “That is our goal for this year.”

The Warriors will have a solid core of contributors from last season coming back with six starters returning on offense and eight on defense.

34 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES Perez said his squad will miss quarterback Hayden Carlson. He was a leader on and off the field, according to Perez. Carlson received the Guy Toph award last year and has signed with Florida International University. Wide receiver Aiden Bitter graduated and is attending Iowa State on scholarship. Fellow receiver Dean Patterson also graduated.

Steinbrenner is poised to have a great season to follow up last year’s Final Four finish. The Warriors will have another solid season, winning 12 games and repeating as district and region champs.

2019 STATS overall record 10

Wins 487 123

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Head Coach: Dave Marino

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of miamiherald.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK Among the seven offensive starters returning are junior quarterback Kevin Smith. He threw for 35 touchdowns as a sophomore, and he’ll be looking for one of his favorite targets in senior slot receiver Brashard Smith.

On defense, cornerback Cory Collier will return, as will defensive tackle Leonord Taylor. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior is one of the most highly recruited defensive linemen in the country.

KEY LOSSES

Most teams go as far as their quarterback will take them. With Palmetto’s starting QB returning, the Panthers will have a shot at yet another 10-win season. I’m optimistic that Manasco and his staff will have enough talent to make a serious run in the playoffs. Look for the 10 regular season wins, plus another three playoff victories to make a serious run at a state title.

REGION 4 - 8A

Smith will surely miss receiver Kentron Poitier, who has graduated. On defense, Manasco said his Panthers squad will miss Robert Hanna, a hybrid outside linebacker and strong safety.

“He was good in pass coverage and against the run,” Manasco said. “It’s almost like having two guys back there.”

MIAMI PALMETTO

The Miami Palmetto Panthers are coming off a two-loss season last year. The same can be said for the year before and the season before that. If you’re noticing a trend here, you are right. Palmetto has not lost more than two games since the 2015 season, when they finished with a 5-5 record. That includes last year’s 10-2 season that saw Palmetto’s state title hopes dashed early in the playoffs. Head coach Mike Manasco is confident that this year could be the season his team breaks through.

“We’ve never made it past the second round of the state playoffs,” Manasco said. “This year’s team has got a shot to go pretty far, but we’ll have to put our work in.”

Manasco will be entering his sixth season as head coach of Palmetto, and with a total of 15 returning starters, you can see why he has reason to be optimistic.

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 35

36 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 11

Wins

1 Losses

292

Head Coach: Lenny Jankowski

Points Scored Points Allowed

152 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of usatodayhss.com/

WHAT TO EXPECT The Vero Beach football program will look to keep their winning streak intact, but they’re also hoping to extend that all the way through to the state title game in 2020, something they’ve not yet done. The Indians set a Florida state high school record last year, previously held by Lakeland, winning their 61st straight regular season game. Just to put things into perspective, that was six straight years of undefeated regular seasons for Vero Beach.

Despite that great feat, it hasn’t resulted in any state titles for head coach Lenny Jankowski’s team. That continued last season with a 35-7 loss in the playoffs to Deerfield Beach.

“We are proud of setting the state record for consecutive wins in the regular season, but we’re hoping to win a state title,” Jankowski said.

WHO’S BACK

Quarterback Ryan Jankowski, the son of coach Jankowski, has graduated and will continue to play football for the Akron Zips. His backup last season, Joe Rahal, also graduated, leaving Vero Beach searching for a new signal caller. Receiver Jermaine Dawson will attend Iowa Western on scholarship.

Despite the search for a new QB, look for Vero Beach to keep their winning ways going. Will this be the year that they finally break through to a championship?

I’m not ready to go there just yet, but another 11- or 12-win season is certainly within reach.

REGION 9 - 8A

KEY LOSSES

VERO BEACH

Vero Beach returns five offensive starters and five defensive starters. According to Jankowski, he’ll look to three seniors to help lead his team.

Running back Bobby McMillan will be back, and he’s healthy. According to Jankowski, the running back suffered a high ankle sprain last year and never was 100 percent.

“But he is recovered and ready to go,” Jankowski said. “He’s a complete back.”

Also returning offensively are receivers Wendell Bethel and Tyler Wrenn.

Defensively, end Keanu Koht is back and being recruited by everyone, including the University of Florida and Oregon. He will be a threat against opposing defenses during his senior season at Vero Beach. Also being highly recruited are returning linebacker Davon Hicks, who has committed to USF, and Travonte O’ Neal, who is mulling several offers.

ITG Next | 37

Nominate Male & Female Athlete of the Year

Submit your nominations to nefl@itgnext.com

38 | itgnext.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

After spending eight seasons as an assistant coach with the Stingrays, Mike Montemeyer was promoted to the head coaching slot at the beginning of last season, and he is hoping his second season will bring marked improvement over last year’s record.

“Last year was pretty tough on everyone,” Montemeyer said.

His squad got off to a rough start, losing their first five games of the season. That led to a 3-7 finish, but Montemeyer said things should turn around in his second season as the Stingrays head coach.

Among those returning starters to lead the offense this season are four seniors. They are wide receiver Patrick Bryant, quarterback Ridge Jacobs, offensive lineman Walter Rosas, and receiver Malcolm Seaborn.

Bryant is being heavily recruited and has been offered

by Vanderbilt University and The University of Illinois.

On defense, key returners include defensive backs Desmond Evans and Josh Williams, along with linebacker Janari Grimsley. Junior athlete Emanuel Guerrier will be back to contribute wherever he’s needed.

“The transition was tough, and we played a lot of younger guys last year,” Montemeyer said.

The good news is that those same players have a year of valuable experience and make up a total of 18 combined returning starters out of the 22 positions.

Head Coach: Mike Monetmayor

KEY LOSSES

Look for Montemeyer to have his Stingrays back in the mix this season. Those young players gained valuable experience last season, and they’ll be ready to contribute in a big way. I see a 7-4 season for Atlantic Coast with a trip to the playoffs in the cards.

2019 STATS

Wins

7

218 331 Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Allen Alloch

Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 1 - 7A

overall record 3

ATLANTIC COAST

Montemeyer and the Stingrays will be without the services of three of their big men who are gone to graduation. They include Zach Crawford, who played on the offensive and defensive line last season, along with lineman and long snapper Garrett McAndrews and lineman Jhakais Pippins. Receiver K.J. Guerrier will be missed, also.

ITG Next | 39

WHAT TO EXPECT

Head Coach: Sean McIntyre

To look at the Knights’ record from the last few seasons doesn’t tell the whole story of the football program. They finished 5-5 last year, 4-6 the year before, and 5-6 in 2017. While 14 wins over a three-year period may not be good enough for some teams, at Creekside it is progress. Consider that the Knights won all of three games during the three-year stretch of 20142016, including consecutive winless seasons, and you can see why fans are happy about their team.

It begins with head coach Sean McIntyre, who has helped turn things around during his three-year stretch with Creekside.

He said that while he’s certainly pleased with his team’s progress, he knows it’s one year at a time.

“We have learned how to compete here,” McIntyre said. “That was the first step, and it’s still a part of the process.”

With eight starters returning on both the offense and the defense, you can understand why McIntyre is “excited to get going.” It won’t be easy, however. The Knights have a tough schedule once again that includes games against Bolles and Fleming Island.

WHO’S BACK Senior receiver Chad Goodrich is returning this year. Over the last two seasons, he has amassed over 1,900 yards receiving with 20 touchdowns. The entire offensive line is back, including three-year starters Robbie Balke, Will Aaronson, and Hunter Jones. The defense will be led by returning Tucker Owens, who led the team with 123 tackles last season and was an All-County and All-District selection. Safety Walter Stovall is back. Kicker and punter Andrew Earagjati will return and has a strong leg.

“He’s a weapon for us,” McIntyre said of Earagjati.

KEY LOSSES

The job McIntyre has done in his first three years qualifies as one of the best turnaround jobs in the state. With so many returning weapons, look for Creekside to have a breakthrough year, finishing 8-4 with a couple of playoff wins.

REGION 1 - 7A

CREEKSIDE

The Knights lose three key skill position players to graduation. Tight end Shane Calhoun signed with East Carolina, quarterback Quinn Seiger will attend Division II program Assumption College, and running back Jalen Hines will play for Division III Ithaca College.

40 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

5

5

251 273 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of creeksidefootball.com

Losses Points Scored

Points Allowed

2019 STATS overall record 6

Wins

268

4

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

180

Head Coach: Bobby Raulerson

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of 247sports.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

KEY LOSSES

Leading the returning offensive starters is running back Myles Montgomery. The rising senior ran for over 2,000 yards last season in just 10 games. He’ll run behind returning linemen Chandler Kirton and Frank Bartilucci. Also returning to bolster the offense is athlete Jabari Williams. He’ll slide between running back and receiver.

Key defensive returners include cornerback Jeffrey Davis, defensive end and outside linebacker Josh Davis, defensive end Aaron Hester, and free safety Merritt Reynolds.

“Those guys will form the core of our defense,” Raulerson said.

The Senators will have to replace tackle Jacob Ashmore, who will continue his football career at Vanderbilt. Also lost to graduation are Josh Bosco and Cameron Pausche.

“Those guys were great leaders for us,” Raulerson said. “They were all tough, smart football players, just solid.”

Speaking of solid, that’s a good description of new head coach Raulerson. He played at Fletcher, so this place holds a special place in his heart. That and the fact that the Senators have some pretty good talent coming back make a good formula for success in 2020. I see a deep run in the playoffs with a 10-3 season.

REGION 1 - 7A

WHO’S BACK

DUNCAN U. FLETCHER

The Senators are coming off a 6-4 season that saw them just miss the playoffs. They put themselves in an early hole, starting the season 1-3, then went on a 5-1 run to finish the year. It came down to a key matchup with Mandarin, who defeated the Senators to end any hopes of postseason play.

Taking over as head football coach is former assistant coach and veteran area coach Bobby Raulerson, who was previously head coach at Providence and most recently Bishop Kenny. He takes over a Fletcher squad that returns five starters on offense and seven on defense. Raulerson made no secret about what he wants to focus on in his first year leading the Senators.

“We know with our experience on the offensive line and at running back (that) we want to line up and pound the ball,” he said. “That’s going to be our bread and butter on offense. We want to play sound, fundamental defense and let our core guys do their thing.”

Randy Taylor 3041-1 Monument Road Jacksonville, FL 32225-5711 Phone: 904-642-2400 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings & Saturday by Appt

ITG Next | 41

2019 STATS overall record 10

Wins

Head Coach: Damenyum Springs

361

1 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

177 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Fleming Island Golden Eagles Football Club via Facebook

The Golden Eagles flew through their 2019 schedule with great form. They finished with a perfect 9-0 regular season record and finished atop District 2 Class 7A with a perfect 5-0 district record. Things were looking up as the Eagles defeated Wakiva in the first round of the playoffs. Then, in the second round, things came to a screeching halt as Niceville wasn’t very nice to Fleming Island, defeating the Golden Eagles by a 47-28 final score. It was a tough way to see things come to an end for what seemed like could be a deep run in the playoffs.

But head coach Damenyum Springs isn’t looking back.

“Last season is done and over with,” Springs said.

He admitted that the one thing his team needs right now is the weight room, which, of course, they haven’t have access to, like everyone else.

“We must get stronger,” Springs said. “Not being in the weight room has hurt us.”

REGION 1 - 7A

FLEMING ISLAND

WHAT TO EXPECT

42 | itgnext.com

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

Fleming Island returns five starters on offense and just three on defense. Sophomore running back Sam Singleton is back to lead the offense. He is being heavily recruited, with several schools, including the University of Miami, having offered him already. He’ll be joined in the backfield by senior running back Timmy Thomas.

Senior cornerback Darius Harris will be back, and he is mulling several collegiate offers. Devin Grind will man the opposite corner. An “all around good player,” according to Springs, Harris will also see time at safety.

It will be tough to replace four-year starting quarterback Dean Hyams. Also lost to graduation is defensive end Jeremiah Jones, who signed with Furman.

Safety Isiah Blair, who Springs said is his QB on defense, will be missed.

Other key losses include slot receiver Broden Dominico and kicker Garrett Godfrey. Dominico had signed with Florida Tech, but with that program ending its football program, Dominico will have to find a new college football home. Godfrey won two games last year with last-second kicks.

Despite Springs’ concerns that his team needs to get stronger in 2020, you can expect another winning season from the Golden Eagles. Look for a 10-3 record with another playoff push.

PATRICK BRYANT

wide receiver

atlantic coast stingrays

top offers COMMITTED

ITG Next | 43

44 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 12

Wins 424 166

1 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Niceville Football - A Tradition of Excellence via Facebook

Head Coach: Grant Thompson

WHAT TO EXPECT In his first season as the Eagles head coach, Grant Thompson made his presence felt right away. He immediately let the players, fans, and anyone who would listen know that Niceville football would be a consistent winner, no matter what the past held. Thompson led Niceville to 12 wins and a chance to win the Region 1-7A championship. The dozen victories were the most since the 2013 team won 13 games while advancing to the state championship game.

As Niceville and Thompson prepare for the 2020 season, they’ll have to replace 36 graduating seniors. That sizeable group includes three-year starter at quarterback Will Koch. He takes his talents from the Florida panhandle to the University of Massachusetts, better known as U Mass. Thompson acknowledged that Koch and his departing teammates will be missed, but there are a lot of returners from last year, and he hopes to build off of last year’s momentum.

“We have high expectations after finishing the regular season 10-0 and making it to the regional finals,” Thompson said.

“We have a lot of key players back and hope to build off of last year.”

WHO’S BACK

Even with the receivers coming back, the question for Thompson will be who is going to throw the ball to them? That, of course, depends on who will be replacing Koch.

“We have two guys who will battle it out for the starter job in Addi Moore and Trey Wainwright,” Thompson said.

Also graduated are Logan Schaeffer and Nick Morrison. Schaeffer will continue to play college football at Harding Collge, while Morrison will attend Birmingham Southern.

Niceville finishes strong this season with Thompson leading his team to another playoff run. Look for the Eagles to finish 11-3.

REGION 1 - 7A

KEY LOSSES

NICEVILLE

Among those key players returning is highly recruited lineman Kimo Makaneole. Line mate Austin Firestone will also return to pave the way for returning running back Shawn Parker.

Perhaps the strength of Niceville this season will be its receiving corps. Three returning receivers will all have big play capabilities, and they are Azareye’h Thomas, Dramarian McNulty, and Dom Annichiarico. All three will also see time in the defensive backfield.

Thompson said linebacker Michael Carruthers will be back.

ITG Next | 45

2019 STATS overall record 13

Wins

Head Coach: Cameron Duke

603

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

256 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of hudl.com

REGION 1 - 7A

EDGEWATER

WHAT TO EXPECT

46 | itgnext.com

In 2016, the Eagles finished 1-10 overall and 0-6 in the district. The program was struggling, and Edgewater administration went looking for a new coach – again. Edgewater had just gone through its fifth football coach in the last six years and were looking once again. They hired Cameron Duke.

A long-time assistant coach, Duke was hired away from Lake Highland, where he turned around a struggling program in his first ever head coaching job. He was hired to do the same thing at Edgewater. He took over as head coach effective with the 2017 season, and the 33-year-old immediately went to work.

In his first season, Duke led Edgewater to a 9-3 record. The next year, Edgewater got even better, winning 12 games against just two losses and advancing to the state semifinals. Last season, Duke led the Eagles to the state championship game against traditional Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. It was the first state championship game for Edgewater in 15 years. The Eagles came up short, but Duke’s work at Edgewater hasn’t gone unnoticed. He was named The Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year.

It has been quite the turnaround at the Orlando school, but there is reason to believe that Duke and his staff are just getting started. They’ll have several starters returning, but they also lose some major players who have been a part of the three-year turnaround.

Can Duke keep it going in the right direction?

WHO’S BACK Sophomore athlete Cedric Baxter returns, and he is already receiving a lot of attention. He has offers from several schools, including Nebraska, Florida State, and West Virginia. Also returning are athlete Tommi Hill, quarterback Canaan Mobley, and linebacker Kenneth Brown.

KEY LOSSES The losses are many. Twelve seniors signed scholarships. They include lineman Daniel Green (Navy), lineman David Anderson (UCF), running back Isaiah Connelly (Coastal Carolina), Eric Doctor (East Carolina), and twins Davon Martin (Middle Tennesee State) and Kavon Martin (Warner).

11-3. There’s no thinking that Edgewater will slow down with Duke at the controls. Look for his Eagles to continue flying high in 2020, with another deep run in the state playoffs.

2019 STATS overall record 8

Wins 373 200

4 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Tampa Bay Tech HS via Twitter

Head Coach: Jayson Roberts

WHAT TO EXPECT The Titans head into the 2020 season with high hopes, according to head coach Jayson Roberts.

“We should be good enough to compete for a state championship this season,” Roberts said.

Tampa Bay Tech played a bunch of young guys last season, and knowing those players gained a year of experience is part of what gives Roberts the confidence needed to indeed compete for a state title. It also helps when you have your starting quarterback returning, along with two of his favorite targets at receiver.

Overall, Roberts and his staff will welcome back five starters on offense and seven on defense. The Titans finished 8-4 last year, losing to Lakeland 37-30 in the second round of the state playoffs.

Quarterback David Wright is chief among those five starters coming back on offense. The 5-foot-10 senior was a Second Team All-State selection last season. Junior four-star receiver Greg Gaines is being recruited by everyone, according to Roberts. Speedy receiver senior Jamari Gassett is back. In addition to his football talent, Gassett is a state track qualifier.

Defensively, senior Steven Parker returns and will play safety and cornerback. Senior defensive end Henry Hughes is a Rutgers commit and at 6-foot-6 will give the defense a presence on the end.

Lineman Michael Moment has graduated and will play at Alcorn State.

“He was a mauler,” Roberts said.

Receiver Bobby Moore led the team in touchdown catches last season, but he will be catching touchdowns for Bethune-Cookman University.

Look for Tampa Bay Tech to be right back in the hunt this season with an 11-3 season.

REGION 2 - 7A

KEY LOSSES

TAMPA BAY TECH

WHO’S BACK

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 47

2019 STATS overall record 8

Wins

426

Head Coach: John Peacock

366

5

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of veniceindianfootball.org

WHAT TO EXPECT John Peacock changed the Venice football program from the moment he took over as head coach in 2007. Taking over a team that had won just one game the previous year, Peacock led the Indians to an 8-4 record in his first season. Since then, he has kept their winning tradition alive. The Indians have advanced to the state semifinals in the last four seasons. That includes last year, as Peacock led his team to an 8-5 finish and a District 10 championship.

Venice must find a way to replace numerous key contributors, including two quarterbacks that were part of a three-quarterback system Peacock used for a couple of reasons, including injuries and inconsistent play.

The good news is that the Indians return much of their talented receiving corps, who, as a group, were responsible for the team’s success last year.

WHO’S BACK

REGION 3 - 7A

VENICE

Returning in 2020 is a chunk of the receiving corps, including juniors Myles Weston, Shevan Pearce, and Weston Wolff, a tight end and wideout who has committed to the University of Maryland. Wolff’s effort as a junior included 33 catches for four touchdowns.

Michigan State University commit Chuck Brantley will return, and he will give Venice not just a receiving target, but he’ll also be a threat on special teams as a kick and punt returner. Running back Da’Marion Escort returns for his senior season.

Despite losing two of their quarterbacks, Peacock and Venice have senior Steffan Johnson back. He was originally a defensive back upon arriving at Venice as a transfer, but due to injuries and other factors was thrust into the starter role. He excelled as the quarterback and will head to Rutgers to play college football next year.

48 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES Losses include quarterbacks Ryan Overstreet and Nico Dallarosta, who each shared time under center last year. Receiver Malachi Wideman has graduated and taken his talents to the University of Tennessee. The leading rusher from last year, running back Brian Taylor, has graduated.

As long as Peacock is at the helm, expect Venice to always be in contention. That’ll be the case this year, despite the loss of several key players from last year’s team. I see the Indians making another solid playoff run, finishing 9-4.

WHAT TO EXPECT Under head coach T.J. Jackson, the Eagles have amassed a 31-7 record in district play, including three straight district titles. After winning just three games in his first season as head coach in 2013, Atlantic has finished a collective 60-14 since then under Jackson.

That includes last season’s 8-4 finish that saw Atlantic advance to the third round of the state playoffs, losing to St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinals. So, what does the coach think will happen this year?

“We have a chance to be pretty good, especially on defense,” Jackson said. “We will bring back a lot of great talent on defense this year.”

The Eagles return eight starters on the defensive side of the ball, with five returning on offense.

WHO’S BACK Last season’s starting quarterback Guenson Alexis is back to once again run the Eagles offense. Joining him in the backfield will be running back Montahj Joseph, now a three-year starter for Atlantic. Senior Rashawn Faustine will return for a second straight season at starting receiver.

Defensively, linebacker and three-year starter Nygill Shannon will return. A couple of seniors return to the defensive backfield in defensive backs Jahbari Hill and Jaylen Hunter.

Head Coach: TJ Jackson

KEY LOSSES

Jackson has had Atlantic on a roll since taking over in 2013, and there’s no reason to expect the Delray Beach team to suddenly fall off the playoff radar in 2020. Look for an improved team to win 12 games and compete for a state championship this season.

2019 STATS 8

Wins 364 156 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of AtlanticFootball via Twitter

4 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 4 - 7A

overall record

ATLANTIC (DELRAY BEACH)

Jackson doesn’t lose many starters on defense, but does lose two huge playmakers whose skill sets will be sorely missed. They are defensive tackle and Louisville signee Harry Bryant III. The other player that Jackson points out as being a huge loss is linebacker Miciah Joseph, who is attending Tennessee State University.

ITG Next | 49

WHAT TO EXPECT

Head Coach: Steve Davis

Steve Davis is set to begin year 15 as head coach of the Colonels, and he likes what he sees with his 2020 squad.

“We should be pretty good this year in Florida Class 7A,” Davis said.

His team has dropped down in classification, and Davis said they may still make even more moves within the FHSSA. “I’m hoping we drop to 6A in 2021,” he said. “We’re trending in that direction.”

As far as this season is concerned, Davis and Plantation will be without the Florida Class 8A Player of the Year from last season in Gerard Nesbitt. The starting quarterback from last year is headed to the University of Tennessee-Martin, which gets a quite competent quarterback. Nesbitt completed 67% of his passes in his senior campaign with an outstanding touchdown to interception ratio of 31:3.

Davis is hoping that transfer Cedquan Smith can come in and pick up where Nesbitt left off, but that’s not going to be easy, considering those blistering numbers Nesbitt put together last season. Still, the Davis likes what he sees in Smith.

“He was a starter at Miramar as a sophomore and spent last year at Western High School,” Davis said. “Cedquan has lots of experience, and we feel that he should be just fine once he comes in and gets comfortable.”

Plantation will have a total of six returning starters on offense and five on defense. Davis said he has some solid young talent moving up from the junior varsity team, which finished 6-1 last season.

“Those younger guys could help us,” Davis said.

WHO’S BACK Wide receiver Jacolby George, a Miami commit, is back. He’ll provide incoming quarterback Smith a nice target to throw to. Blocking up front will be center and guard Nickel Beauvois. Others returning include receivers Carlington Armstrong, Devin Howard, and Xavier Bolden. On defense, junior defensive back Eric Lyons returns.

KEY LOSSES Plantation moves down to Class 7A, and this could be the break they’ve been looking for. The Colonels’ nemesis for the last few years has been St. Thomas Aquanis, which was the only team to defeat Plantation last season, beating them twice. Now, they won’t have to worry about the Raiders, and this might just be their ticket to a state title.

REGION 4 - 7A

PLANTATION

In addition to Nesbitt, Plantation loses defensive end Omilo Savage, who has graduated and will take his talents to St. Thomas University. Also gone are running back Amari Jones and defensive back Rahlique Grange.

50 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 9

Wins 427 174 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Le Nguyen via Youtube

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

itgnext.com

ITG Next | 51

52 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 8

Wins 361 224

4 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Head Coach: Brian Allen

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of duvalsports.com

WHAT TO EXPECT 2019 was more of the same from the Columbia Tigers. Since 2008, the Tigers have won between seven and 12 games each season. They’ve been the model of a good and consistent program that is always competitive in their classification. But still, it’s a team that hasn’t won a state championship since 1967 and is looking to hit that next level of being great.

They ran into a familiar opponent in 2019 in Robert E. Lee High School. They beat Columbia earlier in the season in overtime 27-21 and then knocked them out of the playoffs in a 6-3 double overtime, tight defensive affair. Lee eliminated the Tigers from the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

The Tigers face a lot of questions with the loss of several seniors who contributed to their success last season. With so many questions on both sides of the ball, getting back to eight wins will be a tough outlook for Columbia.

WHO’S BACK There were a lot of senior contributors last year for the Tigers, but their defensive line should still be good. Rising senior Jaiden Tillotson and junior Bobby Miller occupy the defensive end positions and combined for 14 sacks last season. They will need to be great in 2020 with the loss of a number of players at linebacker and secondary positions.

Tray Tolliver is another player to keep an eye on in 2020. The wide receiver had 226 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2019. High expectations will be on him to help the offense.

7-3. Columbia has a great program, but the number of seniors could see them struggle to get back to eight wins.

REGION 1 - 6A

The Tigers replace a number of players on offense. They had one of the best quarterback and wide receiver combinations in the state last season, starting with quarterback Jordan Smith. Smith finished his senior season with 2,985 total yards to go along with 32 touchdowns. He was a tremendous dual-threat quarterback who probably went under the radar before signing with South Florida.

His top receiving option was Marquez Bell, who had 1,130 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He was a game changer on offense and averaged 19.5 yards per reception.

The defense also loses a number of seniors, led by linebackers Levontae Camiel and Marlon Pollock. They combined with 202 tackles last season.

COLUMBIA

KEY LOSSES

ITG Next | 53

2019 STATS overall record Wins

2

8

Points Scored

160

Head Coach: Zach Harbison

Losses

377

Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of jaguars.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

REGION 1 - 6A

ENGLEWOOD

Englewood just couldn’t get going in 2019. The program has not won a lot of football games over the years, and in J.D. Stalvey’s three seasons as a head coach, the Rams went 6-26. He has since been let go, and a new head coach comes in with the hiring of Zach Harbison.

Harbison doesn’t have a lot of experience, coming in from the middle school head coaching level. With the Rams, Harbison will be challenged to rebuild a program that hasn’t had a winning season in 13 years.

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

Two players to keep an eye on are wide receiver and defensive back Braulio Ponce de Leon and linebacker Brian Hernandez. Englewood needs to improve the overall athleticism of their team to keep playing at a high level, and that means having players like Ponce de Leon and Hernandez who can make plays on the defensive end.

Another player to watch is Terrence Ford. He’s a rising sophomore quarterback who has great arm strength and is a talented player. He is the kind of player who can have a major impact on a team like Englewood.

The Rams lose two players in the secondary in Chivas Parrish and Jahquez Shaw. They both made the North Florida All-Star game and were key players to their defensive success. Englewood also loses quarterback and linebacker Tyshawn Gordon. The offense had a couple of big performances where they stood out combined with difficult games as well.

The last player they lose is running back and linebacker Jordan Mitchell. He was a two-year captain for the Rams and the top player on their offense at the running back position.

Englewood will take a long time to get better, but the Rams are changing their culture.

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

54 | itgnext.com

WHAT TO EXPECT New Matanzas head coach Matt Forest expected a normal offseason in a new program when he took over in December. His plate was already full at the time.

With a new head coach, a culture change is the expected norm. What he didn’t expect was the tumultuous COVID-19 offseason. Matanzas is a program that has long struggled, but had high expectations after two solid seasons in 2015 and 2016. But after head coach Robert Ripley resigned, the team stepped back the last couple of seasons, including last year’s 3-7 season. The Pirates struggled to score at times and at the end of the season struggled to get stops.

Enter Forrest.

Forrest’s plan is bold, to move Matanzas from their wishbone style of offense to the air raid offense. It’s a complete 180 for the kids, but is a move that could pay dividends in the long run. The Pirates are rebuilding, and a pandemic and coaching change means it could take a little longer.

The defensive line of the Pirates should be solid in 2020. Rex Robich and Sean Lebeau led the way with six sacks combined last season, and they should be key contributors for the defense once again.

With the transition to an air raid offense means a lot more passing plays, and that means wide receiver Noah Cundiff should be involved. He had six touchdowns on only 13 receptions last year, which is remarkable efficiency. With the Pirates throwing the ball more and more, Cundiff will be a key player.

Head Coach: Matt Forest

KEY LOSSES The Pirates lose their top two rushers, including quarterback Demontre Neeley, who had 10 touchdowns on the season. Defensively, five of their leading six tacklers all graduate, led by linebacker Chad Rawlings, who had 51 tackles on the season. Overall, Matanzas had 10 seniors on the roster, and many of them will be difficult to replace in their key roles from last season.

2019 STATS

Wins

7

232 282 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of palmcoastobserver.com

Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 1 - 6A

overall record 3

MATANZAS

It’s a rebuilding year for the Pirates, and too much change may hurt their 2020 outlook.

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 55

2019 STATS overall record Wins

3

7

226

Head Coach: Karl Smeltzer

Losses Points Scored

314

Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of Middleburg High via Twitter

WHAT TO EXPECT It’s been a long decade plus for Middleburg, who hasn’t had a winning season since 2004 and has had multiple winless seasons. After three straight three-win seasons, it seems clear the program isn’t heading in any different direction. The offense certainly improved last season, averaging over 20 points per game on the year, but the defense continued to struggle to hold teams under 30. Without a change on the defensive end, it is difficult to see the Broncos improving on their three wins in 2020.

Once again, it was a lot of graduating talent for the Broncos, but Stone Newsome came into his own last season. He was great on both sides, finishing with over 200 yards on the ground and three touchdowns at running back while also contributing over 40 tackles at the safety position.

A few players on defense can be good next year along with Newsome, mainly Alex Nayfack, who had a couple of sacks and four quarterback hurries last year. The Broncos have a couple of players at each level of the defense who will be expected to take on big roles and make an impact in 2020.

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 6A

MIDDLEBURG

WHO’S BACK

56 | itgnext.com

One of the top players for Middleburg last season was Cole LeClair, who was a standout offensive lineman . He enrolled at Valdosta State after a solid season and was the leader on the offensive line, where it is difficult to replace chemistry.

The Broncos also lose their starting quarterback and top three receiving options. Quarterback Joe Justino threw for 1,205 yards while also leading the team with 505 yards rushing last season. He had 14 touchdowns on the year, and his top weapons all go with him. The offense showed improvement in 2019, but could struggle again without this group.

Middleburg also had one of the top punters in the state in Justino. He averaged almost 40 yards per punt on top of his job at quarterback.

The Broncos have a lot of talent to replace, so regression should be expected.

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 282

3

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

172

Head Coach: Jeff DiSandro

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: ITG Next

WHAT TO EXPECT With eight winning seasons in the last 10 years, Ponte Vedra has become a model for consistency this decade. After two disappointing seasons in 2013 and 2014, the Sharks have been a great program in the state of Florida. After falling just short in 2016, losing in the state championship 35-33, Ponte Vedra has continued to churn out the wins in bunches.

2019 saw them finish 7-3, but they were unable to get out of the first round. They lost that game to a good team at Columbia High School 14-7. It was a tough finish for the Sharks, but overall they have a team that is talented and should continue to be a contender next season.

While Glod put up big numbers, Jacobi Myers might be even better. He’s more of a dual-threat quarterback compared to Glod, and we could see a major shift in what Ponte Vedra does on offense. He has a high ceiling and could put up big numbers too.

Michael Olkiewicz was a standout wide receiver for Ponte Vedra and will be Myers’ top option on offense.

He’ll need to help his new starting quarterback in making plays in 2020.

The Sharks were decimated on defense, losing a number of their top players, including a staggering 12 of their 13 leading tacklers. Tommy Zitiello was the top player at safety last season with 45 tackles and an interception. He has enrolled at Army for next season, gathering a Division I scholarship on the way. The defense also loses linebacker George Sanders, who led the team with 59 tackles, and Will Frank, who was a force on the defensive line.

Quarterback R.J. Glod also graduates, as he’s set to attend Liberty University. He threw for nearly 2,300 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season as a solid pro-style quarterback for Ponte Vedra.

6-4. The offense has a lot of talent, but the Sharks just lose too much on defense to make a leap.

PONTE VEDRA

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 6A

WHO’S BACK

Craig Dewhurst

315 W Town Place Suite 4 World Golf Village St Augustine, FL 32092-3105

Phone: 904-940-9740 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings & Weekend by Appt.

ITG Next | 57

WHAT TO EXPECT Robert E. Lee is a team used to a level of success. Another quarterfinal appearance had them thinking maybe this was the year to hit the next level. But a loss to Escambia proved otherwise, and the Generals were sent home once again. But there’s reason for optimism in 2020, and maybe the Generals can get over the hump.

A lot of young talent played several snaps for Robert E. Lee last season, and now they have the experience to match the talent. This team can hit the heights and get through the semifinals in 6A this season.

Head Coach: OJ Small

WHO’S BACK The Generals are led by superstar player-on-the-rise junior Jaheim Singletary. He’s rated as one of the top cornerbacks in the country and among the top 25 players in the nation in the class of 2022. He finished last year with eight pass deflections and was among the leading tacklers at the cornerback position.

Another player to keep an eye on is quarterback Cale Zarah, another upcoming junior. His game as a dual-threat quarterback was a big part of what made the offense successful for the Generals. He’ll be a major factor for the team again in 2020.

Defensive end Ralph Mency is the top rated player from last season’s Generals team. He finished the year with 50 tackles, 11 of them for loss, to go along with six sacks. He was the enforcer on that defense, and now Robert E. Lee will need to replace a key cog on that defensive line.

On offense, top wide receiver Terry McKinney graduated after catching for 778 yards and six touchdowns last season.

8-2. A talented team at Lee will make the playoffs again and possibly make it another few rounds in 2020.

REGION 1 - 6A

ROBERT E. LEE

KEY LOSSES

58 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 9

Wins 316 267 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: Allen Allnoch

4

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

2019 STATS overall record 6

Wins

5

376

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

260 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of staugustinehighschoolfootball.com

Head Coach: Brian Braddock

WHAT TO EXPECT One of the top teams in the state for a lot of years, St. Augustine’s last two seasons have been rough. It’s a program that won a state championship back in 2005 and has been one of the most consistently great programs. Since 2004, they’ve had double-digit wins in 12 of their 14 seasons up until 2017. This team boasted a lot of talent for a lot of years, and then for two straight years they struggled around .500. In 2018 they went 5-6, and this season it was 6-5.

Last season the defense gave up 24 points per game and struggled to get stops. If the defense can improve, perhaps they get closer to some of their previous marks, but it seems like this team has a long way to go to getting double-digit wins again.

The top player on the team is an incredible athlete and a three-sport star for the Yellow Jackets. Dequa Stanley is a talented wide receiver and defensive back who was an AllNews4Jax Second Team selection on defense. He led the team with 638 receiving yards and five touchdowns; on defense, he added 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. He also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns.

Sam Edwards is a talented quarterback who finished with over 2,000 yards and over 20 touchdowns on the season. He didn’t make a lot of mistakes and has the ability to make some plays for St. Augustine.

Justus Johnson was the team’s starting running back last season and contributed 10 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets. They also lose four of their five leading receivers on offense as the team as a whole struggled to get going.

Jaden McDowell was the top player on the defensive side of the ball, leading the team by a significant margin with 97 tackles and an interception last season.

The talented athlete turned down a Division I offer from Idaho to sign with Valdosta State.

6-4. The team is back over .500 again, but struggles to get back toward the double-digit win mark.

ST. AUGUSTINE

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 6A

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 59

MICHAEL MYSLINSKI

center

bishop kenny crusaders

top offers

60 | itgnext.com

GATOR BOWL CHARITIES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

SCHOLARSH IP

.................. ................. ................. . . ., .5. .0. 0. . . . . . . . . . . .

FOUR $2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S C H O L AR S H I P S A V A. I.L.AB . . L. E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ELIGIBILITY REQUIR . M. E. N. TS. .: . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................. ................. presented by Wells Fargo

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

- MUST BE A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL FROM AN ACCREDITED HS ON FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST

_

_

- MAINTAIN A 3.0+ GPA (UNWEIGHTED)

- PARTICIPATE IN A JV OR VARSITY SPORT (OR IT’S EQUIVALENT (DANCE/GYMNASTICS/TAEKWONDO)

- PARTICIPATE IN EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THROUGH CHURCH, SCHOOL OR THE COMMUNITY

S ch o l ars h i p O pen s A u g u st 1 st

TO A P P L Y V I S I T :

TAXSLAYERGATORBOWL.COM ITG Next | 61

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

The Rockets had been knocking at the door over the last two years, and last season saw them finally break it down. Miami Central rolled through the state playoffs on their way to a Class 6A state championship, defeating Escambia in convincing fashion 62-27.

It was the Rockets’ first state title since 2016, and now they’d like nothing better than to make it two titles in a row under head coach Roland Smith, who begins his eighth season as the head man at Miami Central.

“Last year was a lot of fun,” Smith said. “We want to win another title this season. That’s our stated goal.”

He’ll have seven starters returning on offense and seven on the defense.

Smith said if his team is going to have a chance to win that second straight championship, it will have to lean heavily on senior athlete Yulkeith Brown.

“He will be counted on to do a lot for us this year,” Smith said.

That includes shutting down opposing receivers as a corner on defense, receiver on offense, and returning kicks and punts.

Teammate and senior running back Amari Daniels is another returning starter the team will be counting on to lead them into the season. Offensive lineman Laurence “Big Baby” Seymore, who is a University of Miami commit, will return to hold things down at left tackle.

KEY LOSSES Quarterback Katravis Marsh is gone, taking his talents to the University of South Florida. According to coach Smith, there will be a wide open tryout to replace Marsh, with up to four players in the mix to take over the signal caller position at Miami Central in 2020.

Florida Class 6A Player of the Year Trayvon Allen has graduated and is headed to Alabama State University on scholarship. Cornerback Deitrich Stanley is off to Middle Tennessee State, Kejon Owens will take his talents to Florida International University, Juan Henry is off to Tusculan, and Ricky Wright is now at Delaware State.

2019 STATS 12

Wins 542 275 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of miamiherald.com

3 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 4 - 6A

overall record

MIAMI CENTRAL

Miami Central could be looking at another banner year in 2020. Does that mean a second straight state championship? I say yes. The Rockets will blast through the schedule on their way to consecutive state titles.

Head Coach: Roland Smith Jr.

ITG Next | 63

Douglas, Waycross • sgsc.edu

e

e

MISSION: South Georgia State College is a

INSTITUTION TYPE

Public, state college within the University System of Georgia

CAMPUS TYPE

m Douglas - Residential

and commuter Waycross - Commuter only

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT 2,346

ss ACCEPTANCE RATE 48.6% us) RETENTION RATE 44.1% C YEAR ESTABLISHED 1906 n PRESIDENT

Ingrid Thompson-Sellers, Ph.D.

multi-campus, student-centered institution offering high-quality associate and select baccalaureate degree programs. The institution provides innovative teaching and learning experiences, a rich array of student activities and athletics to create a diverse, globally-focused and supportive learning environment.

ACADEMICS: 19 Associate of Arts and Associate

of Science degrees and a Career Associate of Science in Nursing, five Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing, Biological Sciences, Management, Longterm Healthcare Management and Elementary/ Special Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional, Business & Technical Writing.

UNIQUE STUDY PROGRAMS: An African

American Male Initiative grant provides an integrated program model to support students in their quest to successfully complete classes, elevate their GPAs and graduate.

COST/AID: Grants, Federal Assistance, HOPE, ZELL and Foundation Scholarships. Work Study available.

FACULTY/RESEARCH: Faculty and

student research symposiums offer challenging opportunities to excel in areas of interest.

STUDENT LIFE: Increasing number of clubs and organizations provide an opportunity to make new friends and develop future leadership skills.

ATHLETICS: Eight award-winning athletic teams including men’s basketball and baseball, women’s soccer and softball, men’s and women’s swimming and men’s and women’s cross country.

VALUE PROPOSITION: South Georgia State College embraces the traditional values of higher education as set forth by the University System of Georgia and led by its core values of leadership, engagement, affordability and diversity.

Did you know at South Georgia State College, you can earn an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science through one of 19 Transfer Pathway choices? In addition, we now offer a

Career Associate of Science in Nursing, five Bachelor of Science programs in Nursing, Biological Sciences, Management, Longterm Healthcare Management, Elementary/ Special Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional, Business & Technical Writing, with more on the way. Flexible class schedules, clubs, housing (Douglas Campus) and our winning athletic teams make SGSC one of the best choices you can make at an institution with one of the lowest tuition rates in the country. Schedule a visit, apply now via the web at apply@sgsc.edu, and check out our newest class offerings.

Did you know at South Georgia State College, you can earn an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science through one of 19 Waycross Campus Transfer Pathway choices? In addition, we now offer a Career Associate of Science in Nursing, five Bachelor of Science programs in 912-449-7600 hgeorgiastatecollege southgastate southgeorgiastate college Nursing, Biological Sciences, Management, Longterm Healthcare Management, Elementary/Special Education, and a Bachelor of Arts Douglas Campus in Professional, Business & Technical Writing, with more on the way. Flexible class schedules, clubs, housing (Douglas Campus) and 912-260-4660 our winning athletic teams make SGSC one of the best choices you can make at an institution with one of the lowest tuition rates in the country. Schedule a visit, apply now via the web at apply at www.sgsc.edu, and check our newest class offerings.

Valdosta State University Entry Program 912-260-4660 sponsored georgiatrend.com March 2020

46 Waycross Campus

Georgia Southwestern State 912-449-7600 University Entry Program 912-260-4682

sgsc.edu/admissions

64 | itgnext.com

Douglas Campus 912-260-4660

southgeorgiastatecollege

georgiatrend.com

46

Valdosta State University Entry Program 912-260-4660

southgastate

March 2020

southgeorgiastate college

sponsored

2019 STATS overall record 6

Wins

290 245

5

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Head Coach: Kevin Mays

WHAT TO EXPECT After finishing 13-2 in 2017 with then head coach Jamie Rodgers at the helm, Baker County hasn’t been able to find their way back to the state title game. The Wildcats finished 7-5 in the following season. Rodgers left to take over the Cook High Hornets job up in Adel, Georgia, and Kevin Mays became the new head coach last season.

Under Mays, the Wildcats finished 6-5. Mays said his team is ready to roll with seven starters returning on offense and eight returning on defense.

“We are coming off a good season considering all of the younger guys that we played,” Mays said. “I expect the guys to come into camp ready to go. They have been off a couple of months – like everyone else – and all of us are ready to get back to a regular routine.

“We have to fill a couple of key positions like quarterback, but we should be improved over last year.”

Leading the charge on offense will be returning running back Scotty Graham. Just a junior, he played in four games last year and rushed for just shy of 500 yards, averaging 7 yards per carry. He’ll run behind returning offensive tackle Ross Crummey.

On defense, safety Ronnie Ellis will be back, as will defensive end Zane Mobley.

Mays and Baker County will look to replace starting quarterback Alex Bowen, who has graduated. On defense, Mays said cornerback Tracey White will be missed.

“Those two really were our leaders on their side of the ball,” Mays said.

Expect Mays and his Wildcats to be back in the mix this season. Look for Baker County to finish at or near the top of District 3 Class 5A. The Wildcats finish 9-3 overall with a 4-1 region record.

REGION 1 - 5A

KEY LOSSES

BAKER COUNTY

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 65

2019 STATS overall record 1 Wins

8

Points Scored

105 363

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Allen Allnoch

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

The Crusaders will look to bounce back from a disappointing 1-8 season a year ago. They played one less game than scheduled, as their contest versus New Smyrna Beach was cancelled due to inclement weather from a hurricane.

Second-year head coach Tim Krause also admitted that last year was a struggle in several ways.

“Anytime you come in to a new place and you have change, there’s going to be some issues,” Krause said. “We also played a ton of young kids who simply had little to no experience. Then, we had six playoff teams on our schedule, so the combination of those three things made last year a challenge.”

The good news is that Krause and Bishop Kenny will return five starters on the offensive side of the ball and seven on the defense.

Leading the returners from last season will be center Michael Myslinski. He is one of the highest rated centers in the country and will anchor the offensive line. Another key returner is slot receiver Andrew Tabor. The junior receiver led Class 5A in receptions last season and was a Second Team All-State selection, as well as a First Team All-District selection. Quarterback Brad Miller will be back. He took roughly half the snaps last season in a platoon situation, but according to Krause, the job is his starting this season.

On defense, Baylor Newsom returns at the hybrid outside linebacker/safety position for Krause’s defense.

“He played every single defensive snap last season for us and was one of our leading tacklers,” Krause said.

Senior kicker Shan Meisler returns this season. He is a two-time All-State selection and was a First Team All-Area selection last season.

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 5A

BISHOP KENNY

Head Coach: Tim Krause

Losses

66 | itgnext.com

Krause said his team will miss tight end John Godwin, who will play at Lenior-Rhyne. He also said two linemen, Neil Politano and Cameron Moewe, will be missed along the line of scrimmage. Politano signed with the University of New Hampshire, while Moewe will attend the Citadel.

The Crusaders have a lot of experience and talent returning. That will certainly translate into an improvement over last season’s 1-8 record. Look for Krause to lead Bishop Kenny to a 5-5 mark.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the six defensive starters returning are senior corners Jakyli Johnson and Cornelius Hooks. Providing support behind the corners will be sophomore safety Davon Patterson, who started as a freshman last season. Kevin Greene returns at outside linebacker.

On offense, quarterback Isiah Teal played a good bit toward the end of the season as a freshman, and he is expected to compete once again for the starting job of signal caller. Running back Jason Patterson will carry the load in the backfield and, according to Johnson, may see action on defense as well.

Head Coach: Lawrence Johnson

KEY LOSSES Unfortunately for Johnson and the Commanders, last season’s starting quarterback, Grant Travis, has transferred to Fleming Island. Two key receivers are also gone. They are Katadrick Storey and Jamarius “Turf” Harley.

While Johnson feels confident in his team, the success of Ed White’s season will be if they can overcome being without their starting quarterback and top receivers. Look for slight improvement this year from Ed White as they finish 5-5.

2019 STATS

Wins

7

217

Points Scored 244

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: ITG Next

Losses

Points Allowed

REGION 1 - 5A

overall record 3

EDWARD H. WHITE

The Commanders are certainly hoping this season can find them returning to winning Friday nights. Ed White hasn’t won more than four games in a season since 2014, when they went 11-3. They have won just three games in each of four of the past five seasons, including last year’s 3-7 mark. But as head coach Lawrence Johnson enters his second season at the helm, he doesn’t want to dwell on anything that has happened before this season. Instead, Johnson feels like his team is right where they want to be.

“I think we have a great shot at winning our district this season,” Johnson said.

He pointed to several games during last season’s campaign that were decided by one possession as reason that things are not as they always appear.

“Those three games could’ve been decided by one play either way,” Johnson said.

He said he likes his team and really believes his defense is going to be the strong point of the team this year.

“We return several starters on that side of the ball,” he said.

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 67

2019 STATS overall record 4

Wins

Head Coach: Marlon White

201 150

5

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Aaron Musgrove

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK White intends to take returning outside linebacker and tight end Corey Cooper and move him to the inside this season.

Wide receiver Vincent Bailey will return, and he’ll be joined by fellow receiver Freddie Manning, who will line up in the slot. In a bit of a twist, athlete Martravius Mack returns to Ribault after transferring from Mandarin, where he led the Mustangs in rushing and all-purpose yards last season. He was at Ribault in 2018 before transferring to Mandarin before last season.

“We’re excited too have him back,” White said.

REGION 1 - 5A

JEAN RIBAULT

The Trojans are hoping to put the issues and questions that have surrounded the program over the last couple of years behind them with the hiring of new head coach Marlon White. He arrived in Jacksonville from South Carolina, where he coached at Atkins High School. He’ll look to turn around a program that saw former head coach Kelvin Smith removed before the season began. Ribault finished 4-5 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2015.

White said he was able to meet face to face with the returning players before the coronavirus pandemic forced schools to shut down.

“I was able to spend about 45 days with our returning players,” White said. “I got to know the guys, and I’m looking forward to being able to work with them again.”

The new head coach said he’ll have seven starters on the offensive side of the ball to work with and five returners on defense. He added that he will run a 4-3 defensive scheme, and even though Ribault has been known as a spread team, he intends to implement the double wing-T to establish more of a run presence with his offense.

68 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES The Trojans will miss two key players who were big-time contributors on defense last year. Gone is nose tackle Chris Sharp, who will attend Valdosta State University and play for the Blazers this season. His defensive mate, safety Keonta Jenkins, signed with Virginia Tech, where he’ll play for the Hokies.

Despite the turmoil last season, the Trojans finished just a game under .500 under interim head coach Lin Shell. With stability at the head coaching position entering the 2020 season, the Trojans are looking for a fresh start. The return of Mack will give Ribault a solid playmaker to run White’s new offense around. That new look to a double wing-T could take a year or two of transition. Look for a .500 season this year for Ribault.

2019 STATS overall record Wins

3

7

143

Losses Points Scored

310

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of duvalsports.com

Head Coach: Steve Brown

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

WHAT TO EXPECT Entering his eighth season as the head coach at Paxon, Steve Brown figured it was time to give his Golden Eagles a change within their football landscape. Effective this season, Paxon will move from FHSSA Class 5A District 4 to an independent schedule.

According to Brown, the move will allow the Golden Eagles the opportunity to play a schedule that he said fits their program better. The change will give Paxon more control over their schedule, allowing for more flexibility in opponents. The only downside will be no playoff eligibility for Paxon this season. The move comes after a string of five seasons that saw Paxon win no more than three games in a season. Hopefully, Paxon can find some momentum and a winning formula in 2020 that will carry them forward to better days.

The Golden Eagles return five starters on offense and six on defense. Quarterback Christion Russ will count on returning offensive tackle Adam Slama to offer protection in the passing game, as well as leading the way for the rushing attack of the offense.

The undisputed leader of the defensive unit is free safety Nick Bell. Just a junior, Bell is already one of the most highly coveted recruits on the First Coast, and he receives high praise from his coach.

“I’ve been doing this (coaching) for 20 years, and I’ve never had a sophomore as a full-time captain for the entire season,” Brown said.

In addition to his athletic prowess on the football field, Bell sports a 4.35 GPA. Also returning are senior defensive end Nathan Schwerdtfeger and kicker and punter Hunter Jones.

The losses are many, according to Brown. He will lose his starting linebacking corps, as well as his starting running backs. Among the key players lost to graduation are athlete Robert Russell, who played wide receiver and running back, and the leading tackler from a year ago, middle linebacker Omarian Jones.

The schedule will lighten up a bit for Paxon, and that, in addition to the return of key team leaders like Bell, could equal more wins for the Golden Eagles. Look for a .500 season.

PAXON

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 5A

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 69

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 228

REGION 1 - 5A

TERRY PARKER

Head Coach: Char-ron Dorsey

Points Scored Points Allowed

184 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Terry Parker Football via Twitter

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

Talk about a dry spell. Entering the 2019 season, Terry Parker had not made the postseason in 20 years. The team was struggling, to say the least. The Braves had also not finished over .500 since 2008, so the administration, alumni, and supporters of Terry Parker wanted desperately to find the right person to turn things around.

Enter Cha-Ron Dorsey. The former Bolles School and FSU standout was chosen to take over the fledgling football program. It was a bit of a gamble, with Dorsey having coached at the middle school level for the previous few years. Dorsey’s first year produced a 3-7 record, and the postseason drought continued for another season.

But, to their credit, Dorsey and his staff found the right chemistry, put players in the right spots to get the most from them, and it all clicked with Terry Parker’s first playoff appearance in 20 years as they won the District 3-5A title, also their first in two decades. In the process, Dorsey was selected as the FACA District 1-5A Coach of the Year.

Now, the true challenge will be if Dorsey and his Braves can do it again. If they are to defend their district title, they’ll have to do it without some big-time playmakers from a year ago.

Leading the returners are safety and defensive back Darrell Bryant and defensive tackle Demetrius McDougal.

Look for wide receiver David Hamilton Jr. to emerge as a key offensive threat this season. He stood out recently at the Pro Impact Prospect Showcase and will likely be a go-to receiver for the Braves.

KEY LOSSES Many of the key players that led the Braves to the playoffs last season have graduated. They include quarterback Will Wyche, who has graduated and is taking his talents to Erskine College. Also gone are corner Lonnie Sanders, running back Jujuan Turner, athlete Tabari Rollins, and athlete Artis Maddox. Twoway starter Tyrone Williams graduated and signed with Edward Waters. Center Michael Thomas leaves a void in the middle of the line. He is attending Brunson College on scholarship.

It will be tough for Terry Parker to repeat as district champions with so many key contributors departing. This could mean a rebuilding season for Dorsey and his staff.

Look for a .500 season for Terry Parker, not all bad when you consider so much talent lost to graduation.

Randy Taylor

3041-1 Monument Road Jacksonville, FL 32225-5711 Phone: 904-642-2400 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings & Saturday by Appt

70 | itgnext.com

3 Losses

2019 STATS overall record 8

Wins 304 218

3

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of jacksonville.com

Head Coach: Rodney DuBose

WHAT TO EXPECT After consecutive 1-9 seasons in 2017 and 2018, the Westside Wolverines made quite the resurgence back to winning football, and head coach Rodney DuBose has every intention of keeping his team on the right track.

With a team that sees it starters play on both sides of the ball, Westside will have seven starters returning from its team that won eight games in 2019 and advanced to the state playoffs for the first time since 2014. That group includes several skill position players on the offense and on their offensive line.

The Wolverines did lose some key playmakers who were responsible for last year’s turnaround. Dubose said that despite those losses, he feels like there’s enough returning talent to give Westside an opportunity for another playoff season in 2020.

WHO’S BACK

Cornerback and free safety Nalej Williams, athlete Ahmari Mahan, wide receiver and cornerback Jared Healey, and running back and linebacker Jaquan Braswell do not return this season. “(Braswell was) a leader for us last year,” DuBose said. “He will be missed.”

Can Westside make it two seasons of playoff football? With seasoned signal caller Otis returning this year, look for the Wolverines to make it another eight-win season and to see a return to the playoffs.

REGION 1 - 5A

KEY LOSSES

WESTSIDE

Among the returning starters is senior quarterback Ditannon “D.J.” Otis, who will enter his fourth straight season as starting quarterback. He was a Third Team All-State selection last year.

One of his favorite receivers will return this season in senior Earnest Terry. One of the top linemen in the district, senior Ray Bolden, will return. He’ll play on the defensive and offensive lines. Another key returner will be junior wide receiver and defensive back Antwon McCrae. He and Terry will be the top pass-catching targets for Otis.

ITG Next | 71

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

2019 STATS overall record 6

Wins

299

Head Coach: Donovan Masline

182

5

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: ITG Next

The Raines Vikings went searching for a new head coach after long-time head coach Deran Wiley stepped down. A handful of qualified applicants wanted to lead the traditional Jacksonville football power. When it was all said and done, administration selected assistant coach Donovan Masline. He was the Raines defensive coordinator under Wiley for the past three seasons and is also a Raines alumnus. He was a four-year starter at cornerback for Alabama State University. Masline is excited, but knows that the expectations are always going to be sky high at Raines.

“People around here expect us to win, plain and simple,” Masline said. “That’s how it’s always been, and it’s how it should be here at Raines. I’m humbled. This is a great opportunity. It’s not every day that you get the chance to come back to your alma mater to coach.

As far as any changes Masline may bring to the table as a first-year head coach, he said everything starts with discipline.

“That’s going to be in everything we do,” Masline said.

WHO’S BACK Raines returns seven starters on offense, including a trio of wide receivers led by seniors Mikih Mchee and Quincy Burroughs. The third pass catcher among the group is Kareem Burke. One of the biggest questions is who will throw them the football? According to Masline, there is a bit of an ongoing battle to see who will be quarterback.

“We have a junior in Carlton Butler and a sophomore in Tyree Smith who are battling for the starting job,” Masline said.

He said that the Vikings’ passing game must show improvement this year.

“We suffered a little bit with that part of our offensive attack last season,” he said.

Seven starters return on defense. The group includes senior defensive end and defensive tackle Marquise Newman, defensive lineman Cedric Newsome, and cornerback Reshawn Latimer.

REGION 1 - 5A

WILLIAM M. RAINES

WHAT TO EXPECT

KEY LOSSES To say former Viking Travon Hobbs will be missed is an understatement, according to Masline.

“Travon was our Mr. Everything,” Masine said.

The safety will take his talent to the Ivy League and Brown University. Also lost to graduation are cornerback Jarius Stewart and defensive lineman Jamon Goodwine.

Will Masline put Raines back in the title game? They’ll come close. Look for the Vikings to rebound from their 6-5 finish in 2019 to a 10-3 record this year.

Gene Coleman 10900 Lem Turner Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 Phone: 904-764-4139 Office Hours: M-F 9am to 5pm Saturday, By Appointment

72 | itgnext.com

WHAT TO EXPECT The Hornets enjoyed a strong finish in district play last season, finishing 3-1 in District 4-5A, just one game behind district champ Raines. The only problem was that Yulee finished 1-5 outside district play, finishing with a 4-6 overall record.

Yulee brings back five starters on offense and five on defense, and coach Robert Flagler is hoping that his second season as the head Hornet yields much better results than the first, especially with injuries.

“We simply got off to a bad start last season,” Flagler said. “We lost our starting tailback in the second quarter of the first game, then lost our only returning offensive lineman two weeks later.”

The good news for the coach and Yulee is that running back J’Caiyden Albertie is fully recovered from his season-ending knee injury of a year ago and is ready to go.

The young guys took their lumps last season, but gained valuable experience.

As starters, these younger players will have a year’s experience under their belt, and Yulee will be better for it. Look for Yulee to compete for the district title this season.

WHO’S BACK Albertie is indeed healthy, and the junior tailback will lead the offense this year.

“He’s a special player,” Flagler said.

Joining his teammate to lead the offense will be returning sophomore receiver Zack Drowdy. At 6-foot3, the receiver started seven games as a freshman last season.

Another young player was thrust into the starting lineup last season. Offensive lineman Brennan Black started every snap as a freshman in 2019, according to Flagler.

“Even as a true freshman, Brennan showed tremendous leadership skills, and he’s really taking ownership of the offensive line,” Flagler said.

Black could see action on the defensive side this season.

Senior two-way starter Jaylen Holmes will be back to give the team leadership on both sides of the ball.

He’ll play running back and cornerback.

Head Coach: Robert Flagler

KEY LOSSES Left tackle Zack Haniford has transferred. Receiver Clayton Walden and Yulee’s top defensive player from last season, Khalik Albertie, have both graduated.

“We are going to miss those guys,” Flagler said

2019 STATS 6

175 205 Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: ITG Next

Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

YULEE

Wins

REGION 1 - 5A

overall record 4

ITG Next | 73

2019 STATS overall record 1 Wins

9

Points Scored

189

Head Coach: Jay Stilianou

Losses

336

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Clay High School Football via Facebook

WHAT TO EXPECT

REGION 2 - 5A

CLAY

Jay Stillinanou thought he was done with coaching, but there’s something special about an opportunity to be the head coach at your alma mater, and that’s exactly what kept Stillinanou at Clay. He took over as the head coach of his beloved Blue Devils last season, but it was not exactly the start that the Clay graduate envisioned.

The Blue Devils finished with one of their worst records in school history, winning just once en route to a 1-9 season. The rookie head coach admitted things were tough.

“It was a very difficult year in a lot of different ways,” Stillinanou said. “We lost our team leader and quarterback, Trey Griner. We had to go to a direct snap for a few games with one of our backs, who did a good job, but we missed Trey.”

Then, Clay lost one of their top coaches just before the season started. Offensive line coach Matt Morris, who has coached and served in athletic administration around the Jacksonville area for several years, decided to step away just three weeks before the season opener.

“That really took the wind out of our sails,” Stillinanou said.

But that was then, and Clay is looking to get back to their winning ways. They’ll be poised to do just that with all but one defensive starter returning, and on offense, seven starters return, including all of the skill positions.

74 | itgnext.com

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

Griner returns at quarterback along with one of his favorite targets, receiver Jaylen Frazier. Junior running back Al-Quarious Ray, who rushed for right at 1,200 yards last season, will be back. On defense, most every starter is back, including senior defensive end Alex Maier and senior middle linebacker Joe Reed, who tore his ACL in the first game last season.

The Knights lose kicker and punter Tucker Reed, as well as three offensive linemen. Gone are guard Joe Grelli, left tackle Jon Hayward, and center Jordan Bell. Chris Davis, who played fullback and H-back, has graduated.

Clay and their fans are accustomed to winning football, and as a player and long-time assistant with the Knights, Stillinanou knows that better than anyone. He’ll get it turned around this year

2019 STATS overall record Wins

5

5

Losses Points Scored

183 247

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Head Coach: Thomas MacPherson

WHAT TO EXPECT With newer schools opening in the area surrounding Orange Park over the last decade, the talent pool once commanded by the school has been diluted. The Raiders program has found the going tough, especially since 2010. That’s the last time the team tasted the playoffs. But, with a couple of solid seasons under their belt, including last season’s respectable 5-5 finish, things could be looking up for head coach Tom MacPherson’s team.

MacPherson will begin his fifth season overseeing the football program, and he said the future is looking better every day for his squad.

“Last year we played for a shot at the district title (versus Menendez), but we came up short,” MacPherson said.

The challenge will be to finally get to the point that MacPherson and his staff want to take the Raiders. But with just four returners on offense and three on defense, they’ll be depending on some young guys, especailly at quarterback, where MacPherson said two underclassmen will battle to fill the shoes of departed two-year starter Vinny Walker.

WHO’S BACK

Defensive end Kendy Charles will be missed. The three-year starter was a force on defense for the Raiders, and he takes his talents to Liberty University. Also gone are wide receiver Diego Soto and, as mentioned, quarterback Walker.

Macpeherson has done a good job of returning Raider pride back to the Orange Park. Other than a major rebuilding job in 2017, Macpherson has been building Orange Park for a run at the district. The upcoming season may finally be that season. Despite returning just seven overall starters, I expect the Raiders to stay on the upward path. Look for a 7-3 surprise with that elusive District 5-5A title firmly in their grasp.

REGION 2 - 5A

KEY LOSSES

ORANGE PARK

The Raiders welcome back two senior offensive linemen up front. Zack Williams and Gabe Hecht will provide protection for the yet-to-be-named signal caller, as well as provide run support. Speaking of running the football, junior Terrance Johnson will return in the backfield to carry the load for the Orange Park rushing attack.

Senior free safety Erickson McConnell will be back to run the defense, with fellow senior linebackers Julius McCray and Julian Moore joining him on that side of the ball.

Barbara Coleman 1169 Kingsley Avenue Orange Park, FL 32073 Phone: 904-278-2677 Office Hours: 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday Saturday by Appointment

ITG Next | 75

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 300

Head Coach: Kenny Sanchez

251

3

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of menendezfootball.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK Among those players returning is starting quarterback and All-State selection King Benford. As a sophomore, the signal caller rushed for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lining up behind him will be sophomore Duane Graham. He too was a threat on the ground, rushing for 1,100 yards with 14 touchdowns. Paving the way for both Graham and Benford will be sophomore offensive lineman Cameron Cooper. Sophomore athlete Tobias Brown will pitch in where needed on offense.

On defense, yet another group of sophomores returns, led by safety Terrell Newsome. Sophomore defensive tackles Seth Stamps and Moses King will play the middle of the line. Kicker Bryce Addison returns on special teams.

KEY LOSSES

REGION 2 - 5A

PEDRO MENENDEZ

After leading an absolute rejuvenation of the Menendez football program, head coach Kyle Skipper unexpectedly announced that he was leaving the St. Augustine school to return home to Covington, Georgia, to take an assistant coaching position with Alcovy High School. Skipper leaves after serving as the Falcons head coach for the past two seasons, leading the Falcons to their best two-season stretch in school history. That includes 15 wins over the last two years, including the team’s first district title ever last season. As of this article’s writing, Patrick Turner, the Menendez athletic director, was still seeking a replacement for Skipper. Whoever takes over will have a rock solid sophomore class ready to contribute to Menendez’s ongoing success for the next few years. Many in that group are a part of 17 returning starters from last year’s squad. That includes nine on offense and seven on defense.

76 | itgnext.com

Tight end Noah Gillan was an excellent run blocker, helping pave the way for over three straight seasons of 3,000 yards rushing. He is headed to Valdosta State University. Also graduated are linebackers James Michael and Trey Lyons. Center Anthony Harrell has graduated and signed with Methodist University.

Whoever takes the Falcons head coaching position will inherit quite a team of young starters and will have a middle school team coming off an 11-0 season ready to compete in the near future. As far as the upcoming season, look for more positive results from Menendez. I see a repeat of the district title and a playoff win. The Falcons finish 9-3.

WHAT TO EXPECT The Panthers are coming off a 1-9 season in 2019. It marked the debut of new head coach Matt Knause, who came to Ridgeview from Father Lopez, a program he turned around in three short seasons. The hope is that last season was nothing more than a transition year, and that certainly appears to be the case when you look at how last season developed. In five of the nine losses, the Panthers were either trailing or ahead by a single score in the fourth quarter, meaning things could’ve swung in either direction had the ball bounced the right way.

Ridgeview brings back a ton of talent, with six starters returning on offense and seven starters returning on defense.

Knause said that if his team is to turn things around this season, they must protect their quarterback and the football.

“If we can find a way to protect our big quarterback, as well as protect the football, and run the football, we have a shot to make a big improvement and make the playoffs,” Knause said.

The Panthers welcome back starting quarterback Max Monroe, who threw for 1,865 yards last season, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added another 448 yards rushing to his total, with five touchdowns on the ground.

Two targets that Monroe will look for this year are tight end Josh Dorsainvil, who was a First Team All-County selection last season, and receiver Spencer Calise.

On defense, Ridgeview returns inside linebacker Miika Tuisano, who had 64 tackles last season.

Strong safety A.J. Beaufort will return, and his presence will be felt in the defensive secondary this year, Knause said.

Head Coach: Matt Knauss

KEY LOSSES Ridgeview must find a way to replace Glen Miller, and it may take two players to fill the void. Miller played both wide receiver and free safety and was a First Team All-County selection. He signed with the University of Maryland. Also lost to graduation is threeyear starter Jordan Jackson, a defensive lineman.

2019 STATS 9

139

Points Scored 335

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of claytodayonline.com

Losses

Points Allowed

REGION 2 - 5A

overall record 1 Wins

RIDGEVIEW

Look for a big improvement from the Panthers in Knause’s second season.

With so many key starters returning, expect Ridgeview to finish 6-4 with a real shot at a district title.

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 77

78 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

6

7

357

Losses Points Scored

413

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of Godby Cougar Football via Facebook

Head Coach: Brandon Moses McCray

WHAT TO EXPECT The Cougars are coming off a crazy season that saw them start off with three losses in their first four games. With one of the toughest schedules of any team in Florida, they made road trips to three different states and hosted just two home games at Gene Cox Stadium. Even while staying in the sunshine state, Godby had to make consecutive road trips to Orlando to play Edgewater and Lake Mary.

Despite the bizarre and challenging schedule, Godby rebounded after their slow start to make the playoffs, winning two postseason games and finishing with a respectable 6-7 overall record. It was the first season as head coach for Brandon McCray after serving as the offensive line coach for the previous two seasons.

McCray said he is hoping the upcoming season will produce more wins and a deeper run in the state playoffs. He likes what he sees in his team, especially with his defense.

“We have eight starters back on defense, including our entire secondary,” McCray said.

He added that his quarterback returns in senior Lonnie Williams, and that makes McCray smile.

“Lonnie is a powerful runner with a strong arm, plus he was a special teams captain for us last season,” McCray said.

You don’t see that every day.

Williams leads the starters coming back on offense, along with running backs Mason Anderson and Chase Gillespie.

McCray said Gillespie is receiving a ton of attention from several Power Five schools.

As McCray mentioned, he is excited to have most of his defense returning, including senior safety Deshaun Rucker, a University of Tennessee commit. Senior defensive end Xavier Young is back, and he’ll be headed to Washington State when his time is up at Godby. Junior cornerback Kaywon Banks is back and is already receiving several offers, according to McCray.

Godby will miss wide out Avery Boyd, who is headed to Georgia Tech. Quarterback Trey Fisher has graduated and will attend University Tennessee-Martin. Lineman Mike Brown will continue to play football in Tallahassee over at Florida A&M. Cornerback Travis Cooper will play at Valdosta State.

9-4. Things will settle down as far as the crazy parts of the schedule go, and there will be lots of excitement at Godby in 2020. Look for a great run this year for McCray and his team.

GODBY

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 5A

WHO’S BACK

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 79

WHAT TO EXPECT

Head Coach: Edwin Farmer

A 9-3 finish would be just fine for most high school football teams and their coaches. That was Vanguard’s record last season. But for head coach Ed Farmer, last season represented somewhat of a step back. Since taking over the Knights football team in 2014, Farmer has led his team to nine wins in 2015, 10 wins in 2016, 11 wins in 2017, and 12 wins in 2018. That streak includes district titles in four straight seasons.

Farmer must feel pretty good about the talent his team is returning this year. That includes his starting signal-caller and four-star wideout, with linemen and skill position contributors leading the way.

WHO’S BACK Leading the key returning contributors is quarterback Steven Curry. He’ll have favorite target Trevonte Rucker to throw to. Rucker is a four-star wide out who is headed to the University of Florida upon graduation. Running back and receiver Tevin Williams is back, and he will continue to get a lot of playing time on special teams by returning kicks. Another returning running back for Vanguard is senior Ronald Leslie-Farmer. Athlete Savion Harris is a senior and will be counted on to help out pretty much anywhere needed. The defensive line will have some major talent returning with highly recruited senior Bryce Langston at defensive end.

KEY LOSSES

It’s easy to take a look at the returning talent and predict a winning season, but I’ll go farther than that and say that Vanguard runs through their regular season schedule en route to a 13-1 season with a trip to the Class 6A title game.

REGION 2 - 5A

VANGUARD

Running back DeWayne McBride, athlete D.J. Dailey, center Rashad Wilson, defensive end Andre Jones, and offensive lineman Antonio Smith all graduate.

80 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 9

Wins 384 190 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of hudl.com

3 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

82 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 11

Wins 430 149

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: ITG Next

WHAT TO EXPECT They had the chance. Bolles, the winner of the most high school state championships in the FHSAA, had a 21-10 lead heading into the half against Booker T. Washington, looking for their 12th state championship. But they were outscored 15-0 in the second half, and Booker T. Washington went home with the state title.

But in 2020, Bolles still has a lot of their talent returning and reason for optimism. This team has a lot of skill and ability and could be a contender once again with the talent across their roster.

Head Coach: Matt Toblin

8-1. Bolles will win another region title and make a deep run in the state playoffs.

WHO’S BACK

Ben Netting put together a solid senior season at the quarterback position. He finished the season with over 1,800 total yards and 21 touchdowns and made a lot of big throws when the Bulldogs needed him. He’ll be playing at Marist next season.

Along with Ben, his brother Will Netting will be headed to Marist after having a great season at safety in 2019.

He finished the season with 63 tackles, three interceptions, four pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries.

The Bulldogs still have a lot of talent, but the Netting brothers were a major factor to their success last season.

BOLLES

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 4A

As far as production goes, it doesn’t get much better then the season Kade Frew put together last year. He finished the year with over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns and was the focal point of the offense. He made a big catch in the state championship game that put the Bulldogs up big, but the team wasn’t able to hold on.

Cade Fordham was another standout player for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 104 tackles and four interceptions. He also did a little bit of everything, contributing six sacks. He’s one of the top athletes in the Jacksonville area.

Another player to keep an eye on is defensive lineman Hayden Schwartz, who led the way with eight sacks as a sophomore. He’ll look to get into double digits as he continues to improve.

ITG Next | 83

2019 STATS overall record Wins

5

5

262

Head Coach: Jude Swearingen

288

Losses Points Scored

Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: ITG Next

A team that has struggled with mediocrity, Fernandina Beach had one of their best seasons in a few years.

Finishing 5-5 doesn’t seem like much, but it’s progress for a team that has long struggled to get to .500 or even just a few wins.

But with a player like Cam Miller around, the Pirates have a lot of optimism. He’s a part of a great, young defensive core and is also a game changer for a team that is looking to get into the playoffs. He’s the kind of talent that can change a program on its head, and Fernandina Beach seems to be heading in the right direction. If the team hits a playoff spot, Miller and a young, talented defense will be the key.

WHO’S BACK It goes without saying that Miller he is the most important returning player for Fernandina Beach. He’s a fourstar cornerback prospect for the team entering his junior year who had one interception last season. He was also the top offensive player on the team, being deployed at quarterback. Under center for the Pirates, Miller collected 1,992 total yards of offense to go along with 26 touchdowns. He contributed everywhere for the team and will be expected to do that again in 2020.

Along with Miller, the defense returns five of its six leading tacklers, led by linebacker A.J. West. If they can get a little more production out of their defensive line, led by Isaiah Rauls, this defense can be good.

REGION 1 - 4A

FERNANDINA BEACH

WHAT TO EXPECT

84 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES Chase Boyd did a little bit of everything for the Pirates and has since graduated. He led the team in rushing and receiving last season and contributed 12 touchdowns to go along with 1,126 total yards. He also contributed an interception on defense.

Jeremiah Giedrys contributed 31 tackles, a sack, and an interception last season from the defensive back position.

6-4. Fernandina Beach gets over the .500 mark for the 2020 season.

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK

For the last three years, head coach Rickey Armstrong has had West Nassau at eight wins or more a season. It’s been a model of consistency for a program that has struggled to find that consistency in years past. However, after two years of reaching the second round of the playoffs, 2019 saw the Warriors eliminated in their first game after a first-round bye week. They lost their final game to Bradford 45-13.

West Nassau is built on the collective effort of the team. They don’t have any bonafide stars on the roster, but they’re built so that everyone plays their role at a high level. With a bit of turnover on both sides of the ball, the consistency and team effort that Armstrong has instilled will be more important than ever.

The person primed to fill that hole is Carson Murray, another talented linebacker who has gathered some Division II offers of his own. He was second on the team with tackles and is known as a high-IQ player who reached the All-Academic team last season.

Along with Murray, keep an eye on offensive tackle Trey McCullough. He’ll be a key in pass and run protection with his 6-foot-5 frame. The offensive line will hold a lot of keys to the Warriors’ success in 2020.

7-3. West Nassau simply gets the job done and will find more success in 2020.

Head Coach: Rickey Armstrong

KEY LOSSES

2019 STATS overall record

360 198 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: ITG Next

3

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

REGION 1 - 4A

8

Wins

WEST NASSAU

The Warriors played two quarterbacks last season who both graduate. Blazye Padgett and Chaz Hirschman were talented quarterbacks who combined for 2,289 total yards and 29 touchdowns. The dynamic duo were key leaders for the offense and will be difficult to replace during a pandemic.

The top player on the defense last season was Bryson Williams, who led the team with 90 tackles to go along with five sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. He’s now enrolled at the University of Cumberland and leaves a big hole in the middle of that defense.

ITG Next | 85

WHAT TO EXPECT After just their second winning season since 2013, Keystone is looking to continuing their improvement in 2020. With longtime head coach Charles Dickinson, Keystone was excited to taste some playoff action, even if they fell short in losing in the first round. That experience to compete with the best can go a long way.

With the 2020 season on the horizon, Keystone has to feel good about the opportunity to get even better and advance further in the playoffs. The bulk of their lineup returns, and the Indians have to feel great about the positive momentum and playoff experience they got in 2019.

Head Coach: Charles Dickinson

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES Safety Andrew Cox had 72 tackles in just seven games to go along with a couple of sacks on the season. He is a talented player who signed a baseball scholarship to play at the collegiate level.

Colby Townsend was the top running back for the Indians, finishing with 11 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards of offense.

7-3. A solid team at Keystone will see themselves back in the playoffs.

REGION 2 - 4A

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS

The other safety, Kade Sanders, was the top player for Keystone last season, finishing with 65 tackles and a forced fumble on defense, to go along with 501 yards on offense and six touchdowns at the running back position. He will be the key to making up the lost overall production in the backfield.

Dalton Hollingsworth was a fantastic safety for Keystone, finishing with 84 tackles and a remarkable six fumble recoveries on the season. He had a nose for the ball on defense and will be the center of the defense again.

86 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 243 151 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of gainesville.com

3

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

2019 STATS overall record Wins

2

7

203

Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

396 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of palatkadailynews.com

Head Coach: Willie Fells

WHAT TO EXPECT It’s been a long decade plus for Palatka, who had just one winning season since 2004, and that was back in 2013. Palatka has struggled to get going, and 2019’s 2-7 season didn’t offer a lot of reason for optimism with a lot of seniors graduating. Their offense averaged almost 23 points per game, but the defense couldn’t get stops. They gave up 41 points per game, and the team failed to establish a rhythm.

In 2020, Palatka has some talented players in the system, but a lot of them are inexperienced. A fair amount of seniors occupied key roles, and how the Panthers are able to groom the younger talent will determine how the season goes.

Faizon Sutton was the top running back on the team and will return for his senior season. The defense has some solid players returning, led by David Williams and Shemar Curry. Curry is beginning to get some Division II college attention after finishing the season with 57 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.

William King was the top player for the Panthers last season. He led the team with six interceptions and five pass deflections in the secondary. King also contributed 19 tackles and two touchdowns.

On offense, the team loses two All-State players in offensive lineman Nelson Williams and wide receiver Ke’Shawn Hughes. Hughes was the Panthers’ top offensive player with 710 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. Williams was a beast on the offensive line, and replacing him and repairing that chemistry on the line will be difficult given the shortened offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Too much talent is leaving the team, and the Panthers look like they’ll struggle in 2020.

PALATKA

KEY LOSSES

REGION 2 - 4A

WHO’S BACK

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

ITG Next | 87

Coach of the Year

Who Will Be this Year's?

88 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

3

7

Losses Points Scored

157 328

Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of duvalsports.com

Head Coach: Christopher Foy

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK A lot of players come back for the Tigers. Ricky Shaw was the top player on the offensive side of the ball, catching six touchdowns and accruing 572 yards at the wide receiver position. He’ll enter his junior year as the go-to target for Jackson. Other key players returning on offense include quarterback Jalen Sonnier, running back Darnell Cummings, and running back J’enethen Jackson, who had an impact as a freshman last season.

Another freshman with a major impact was Grayson Howard, who had seven sacks last season at the linebacker position. Not many freshmen get opportunities to make an impact like Howard did on the field, and he took advantage.

Ezenwa Lampkins was the top player in the secondary, leading the team with three interceptions last season.

He’ll be the top player back there in his senior year and will also take on a leadership role for the defense.

Jackson only had seven seniors on their roster, and the biggest player from that class was Chason McCall.

McCall was the leader of the defense at the linebacker position and led the team with 57 tackles; he also forced a fumble. Linebackers can be tough to replace as they typically call the plays on defense, and McCall was good at what he did for Jackson. If they can’t find a replacement for him in the middle, it will be tough for the Tigers to come up with the stops necessary to win football games.

This young team will get better, and maybe Jackson sneaks into the playoffs in 2020.

REGION 1 - 3A

KEY LOSSES

ANDREW JACKSON

From 2013 to 2017, Andrew Jackson had three seasons without a single win. During that span, the team was a combined 4-49 record. So while the last two seasons may seem like a struggle, it represents the progress that the Tigers saw with a young football team. With new head coach Christopher Foy in the fold, Jackson will be looking to sneak into the playoffs, something they haven’t participated in since 2010.

The Tigers played a ton of underclassmen for the last two seasons. In 2018, they were held out of the playoffs with these players by a coin toss. Most of them have been groomed into a strong football team that they can take advantage of in 2020. The biggest need for improvement will be in the offense, which only scored 15 points per game last season.

Gene Coleman 10900 Lem Turner Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 Phone: 904-764-4139 Office Hours: M-F 9am to 5pm Saturday, By Appointment

ITG Next | 89

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins

354

Head Coach: Robert Shields

REGION 1 - 3A

Points Scored

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of jacksonville.com

The conversation at Baldwin heading into the 2019 season was overcoming the disappointing end of 2018. They started 2018 with a 9-1 record, rolling into the playoffs and hosting their first-round matchup. It was their first ever playoff game, which they lost to Taylor County. They wanted the sting of that loss behind them.

Into 2019, losing in the first round wasn’t as surprising, as they faced a strong Episcopal team. The Indians were 7-3 on the season before losing by 10 to Episcopal. It represents back-to-back winning seasons for Baldwin under new head coach Robert Shields. Now it will be about continuing that consistency and then getting over that first-round hurdle. There’s still a lot of talent here, and the Indians will be excited for 2020.

BALDWIN

Losses

Points Allowed

235

WHAT TO EXPECT

90 | itgnext.com

4

8-2. Baldwin is here to stay, and they have a strong season before getting past the first round in the playoffs.

WHO’S BACK Tyson McClendon was second in the Jacksonville area with 15 sacks last season, and he is a force on the defensive line. He’ll be the leader to a defense that should be strong for the Indians. He’s joined by rising junior Malcolm Harvin, who led the team with three interceptions last year.

Although the offense loses a lot of talent, quarterback Bryce Tompkins returns after being named Second Team All-State. He threw for 2,340 yards and 24 touchdowns last year for the Indians.

KEY LOSSES The Indians’ top player last season was wide receiver Xavier McGriff. McGriff was an honorable mention All-State player, finishing with 749 yards and six touchdowns on the season before enrolling at Florida International. McGriff is one of three key players who have graduated from the Baldwin wide receiver corps.

Last season, Christian Sanderson and Tayveon Sutton combined for 1,152 yards and 13 touchdowns as the second and third option for Baldwin’s passing attack.

Amos Porter also graduates from Baldwin after rushing for 12 touchdowns last season. The Indians lose a lot of offensive talent, but the defense should continue to be strong.

Zach Norris was also one of the top kickers in the Jacksonville area, and he graduates after converting six field goals last season.

2019 STATS overall record 10

Wins 397

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

195 Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of pontevedrarecorder.com

Head Coach: Mark Brunell

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

WHAT TO EXPECT In 2013, Jacksonville Jaguars legend Mark Brunell took over an Episcopal program that had a lot of turnover and was in need of a revamp. Since then, the Eagles have seen a remarkable turnaround, and now they’re competing at the highest levels in the state of Florida.

Last season this team was 10-1 heading into the second round of the playoffs before falling to one of the top teams in the classification in Florida State. It was led by the offense, which averaged 33 points per game on the season. That group returns a ton of talent, making the Eagles a force to be reckoned with in 2020.

Kaiman Clark, Jack Bogan, and C.J. Tremble combined for 11 interceptions and 20 pass deflections on the season. The secondary all returns for 2020 and should be one of the best in the state of Florida in the 3A classification. Also helping out this grpup is defensive end Langston Hardy, who had nine sacks for Episcopal. This defense is loaded.

The offense should be as good as they were in 2019. Their top player is tight end Nick Elksnis. He’s got a great set of hands to go with his big body, and he led the team with 665 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s also got his quarterback returning in Tucker Tomberlin, who threw for 24 touchdowns to only two interceptions.

Episcopal didn’t lose a whole lot of talent. One that is gone is offensive tackle and defensive end Christopher Gardner. Gardner was a menace in the backfield last season with 11 of his 45 tackles coming for a loss, and he also had six sacks.

Even with the loss on the line, there’s still a lot of talent for the Eagles, and looking at the roster, they should rely on the secondary to keep that defense going.

9-1. This team is ready to take a leap and make a deep playoff run.

EPISCOPAL

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 3A

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 91

WHAT TO EXPECT

Head Coach: Matt Yancey

Doubling their win total in 2019, Interlachen had their most successful season since 2010. While 4-6 doesn’t seem like a successful season, being able to get themselves close to .500 is a big step for a team that has struggled throughout the decade. Head coach Matt Yancey has done a great job of improving the team.

That improvement was apparent on both sides of the ball. On defense, they gave up 361 points in 2018 and cut that down by 79 points in 2019. The offense also improved by 106 points last season, and the team will look to continue to see those numbers go in the right direction.

2020 will decide how the program is built upon going forward. They have to replace a number of key players, and the Rams will look to continue to progress.

WHO’S BACK The Rams have to feel good about some of the top end talent on their team. Gary Armstrong returns at running back after finishing the year with nearly 700 total yards and five touchdowns. He is joined be wide receiver Reginald Allen Jr., who had six touchdowns last season as a freshman.

The defense also returns its top two leading tacklers in Christian Marshall and D.J. Polite. Marshall was the top player on the team last season and also contributed three sacks and two interceptions.

The losses start at the most difficult position to replace in football. Quarterback Kaleb Wiggins finished his senior season with over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Defensive end Trevor Davis was one of the top defensive players on the team last season. He finished the year with 97 tackles and four sacks. He was a major difference maker for the Rams and will be tough to replace.

5-5. The Rams continue to get better and get to .500.

REGION 1 - 3A

INTERLACHEN

KEY LOSSES

92 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

4

6

226

Points Scored 282

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of Interlachen Football via Twitter

Losses

Points Allowed

2019 STATS overall record Wins

3

8

Losses Points Scored

231 299

Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Head Coach: Troy Rayburn

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK Jacory Jordan will take on an even bigger role for the Conquerors this time around. He was a standout player his sophomore season, and then took a step back in only nine games. If he can bounce back to his sophomore performance, it seems like the Conquerors’ ceiling is sky high.

His top target, Marcus Burke at wide receiver, is a four-star recruit who’s already committed to the University of Florida, and he will look to have a big senior season.

The Conquerors lost one of the top cornerback duos in the entire classification. Fred Davis II and Miles Brooks are standout corners who combined for 18 pass breakups last season.

Along with the cornerbacks is running back Kyjuan Herndon. He’s a standout player for the Conquerors, finishing with 1,836 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He was the catalyst for the offense last year.

7-3. This is a big bounce-back opportunity for the Conquerors and also a chance to make the leap to the next level.

REGION 1 - 3A

KEY LOSSES

TRINITY CHRISTIAN

Not much gets better than the decade that Trinity Christian had. Four straight state championships from 2013 to 2016 made them one of the most successful programs in the state of Florida. That meant they were due for a rebuilding season. The Conquerors finished 5-6 overall last year, and some difficult schedule contests had them struggling throughout the season. They had tough losses to Colquitt County in Georgia, Booker T. Washington, and Lee, all much larger schools.

A rebuilding season means young talent on the rise for Trinity Christian. They have a lot of players across their roster poised for big years, and it’s fair to say the Conquerors will be contenders again in 2020.

ITG Next | 93

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 253

Head Coach: Dennis Bettinger

184

3

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of duvalsports.com

WHAT TO EXPECT How does a team go from 2-8 to 7-3 in a one-season turnaround? Well, it started with a defense that became terrific. In the 2018 season, the Wolfpack gave up 355 points. The next season, it was cut down to 184 points, allowing just 18.4 points per game. It represented the great turnaround in the Wolfpack program led by second-year head coach Dennis Bettinger. The next step? Reaching the playoffs.

Wolfson may have had the best defense in their region, but their three losses left them at fourth overall, and they’ll need to improve upon that standing to get a chance to compete in the playoffs and for a championship. Wolfson’s offense also didn’t lack last season, averaging over 300 yards per game, but they will have to replace key players.

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

REGION 1 - 3A

WOLFSON

One player to keep an eye on is Christian Cosper. Cosper does a little bit of everything for Wolfson, but played primarily at quarterback last season. A converted wide receiver, he finished with 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, primarily on the ground. He did a great job in his new position and should continue that in 2020.

Even with the loss of McCauley, Wolfson’s defensive line should still be good with Austin Franks and Hayden Long. The two defensive linemen combined for 10 sacks, with five a piece last year. Their ability to generate a constant pass rush will be key for Wolfson.

94 | itgnext.com

The Wolfpack lost two major players, starting with defensive end and offensive tackle Christian McCauley. McCauley was named Second Team All-State by Florida HS Sports for the 2019 season and was also a solid wrestler for Wolfson. McCauley led the Jacksonville area with 17 sacks last season.

Florida HS Sports named running back Clyde Holland as an honorable mention for the All-State team. Holland was the catalyst for the Wolfpack on offense, finishing his senior season with 1,488 yards and 18 touchdowns while also contributing on the defensive side at linebacker. He was the complete package and has signed to play for Warner University.

6-4. The Wolfpack are a solid team, but with the good teams in front of them, it will be difficult to make the playoffs.

TREYAUN WEBB

running back

trinity christian conquerors

top offers

ITG Next | 95

Top 10 Schools for Athletes in Florida Written by: Catherine Cavallo

High school serves as a recruiting platform for athletes across the nation. Choosing the right school is essential in catching a college scout’s attention. If you’re hoping to get a scholarship, here are 10 schools you might want to consider.

IMG Academy (Bradenton) – With an athletic department that spans over 600 acres, IMG Academy is known for producing elite athletes who go on to excel in both college and the pros. At IMG Academy, academics and sports go hand-in-hand. That is why it has earned the reputation as “the ultimate training ground for passionate student-athletes.” IMG’s football, golf, basketball, tennis, soccer, track and field, and lacrosse programs are run by a staff of professional coaches, former athletes, and specialized trainers.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – At St. Thomas Aquinas, there is a tradition of excellence and winning that puts the Raiders on the map, not only in the state of Florida but nationally as well. With 11 state championship titles and two national championship titles, St. Thomas Aquinas has a football program unlike any other. However, the Raiders’ athletic success doesn’t stop at football. St. Thomas Aquinas has also won multiple state titles in sports such as baseball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, swimming, and softball.

The Bolles School (Jacksonville) – Athletes from all over the world come to Jacksonville to be a part of The Bolles School. The Bulldogs have 140 team state titles and 17 national titles in swimming. Bolles doesn’t just produce professional athletes; they produce Olympians.

63 Bolles alumni have participated in the Olympics representing 28 countries. Some Bolles Olympians include swimmers Ryan Murphy and Joseph Schooling.

Christopher Columbus (Miami) – Athletics play a fundamental part in student life at Christopher Columbus. Teaching athletes the importance of self-discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship is a main focus of the Columbus athletic department. Columbus plays in Class 9A and 8A, making it the only private school in the state to compete at such a high level. Columbus offers students the opportunity to participate in sports such as roller hockey, fishing, and scuba diving.

Jesuit High School (Tampa) – At Jesuit High School, excellence in athletics is a tradition that runs deep. Jesuit is an all-male school that was founded in 1899. The Jesuit athletic program has won the FHSAA Boys Outstanding Athletic Program of the Year award seven times. The Tigers have won 20 state titles in sports such as soccer, football, baseball, swimming, cross country, track and field, and basketball.

96 | itgnext.com

Montverde Academy (Montverde) – Montverde Academy is known for its championship-winning athletic programs. In 2017, USA Today named Montverde Academy the best basketball program of the decade. The Eagles have won 13 national championships and have 32 alumni playing in the pros. Since 2011, athletes at Montverde Academy have earned over $18 million in athletic scholarships.

Bishop Moore Catholic (Orlando) – Bishop Moore Athletics strides to “provide an opportunity for growth in leadership and team building through exemplary athletic programs.” Last year, the Hornets took home 12 district championships, six regional championships, and two state titles for competitive cheer and adaptive track.

Additionally, 35 Bishop Moore athletes were given scholarships to play college sports.

Belen Jesuit Prep (Miami) – Belen Jesuit is an all-male school where the tradition of athletic excellence has led to multiple championship titles in various sports. Belen Jesuit believes athletic achievement requires discipline, perseverance, and endurance and that they instill those traits in their student-athletes. The Wolverines have won state titles in crew, cross country, soccer, tennis, track and field, and water polo.

Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) – At Archbishop McCarthy, the athletic department strives to provide student-athletes with coaches who are committed to nourishing sportsmanship and teamwork. The Mavericks have won 10 state championships, seven of which were in baseball. Other state championship titles include boys volleyball and girls golf.

The Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton) – There is a well established tradition of athletic success at the Pine Crest School.

Pine Crest has had athletes go on to play in college and professionally. The Panthers have won state titles in swimming and diving, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, and crew.

2019 STATS overall record 12

Wins 523 204

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of maxpreps.com

Head Coach: Jarrod Hickman

WHAT TO EXPECT 2019 was their best season since 2007, and Florida State had a shot for the state championship. They had been rolling through the playoffs, with two wins scoring 48 and 42 points. It backed up exactly what we expected from the Seminoles, a team that scored 523 points the entire season. But in the state championship game, one of the top small schools in the country in Chaminade-Madonna slowed them down just enough, and the Seminoles lost 35-20.

2020 will be a testament to how head coach Jarrod Hickman built this program. A lot of talent on the offensive end is departing, and the backups in the program will be required to take their place. The offense was the driving force behind their success, and we’ll see if they can keep it going this season.

Florida State should have a good secondary, led by two talented safeties in Ahmari Harvey and Tre Donaldson. The two combined for 11 interceptions and 18 pass deflections last season. The two four-star recruits lead a talented group on defense that returns five of their seven leading tacklers.

Harvey was also the team’s leading receiver last season, with 642 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll need to lead the offensive attack to keep the Seminoles going at the end.

While Florida State University head football coach Willie Taggart left the program, his son also graduates from Florida State High School. Taggart Jr. was the top offensive player on the team last season as the starting quarterback and also second on the team in rushing. He finished the year with 3,041 yards and 30 touchdowns.

He’ll be following his dad down to Florida Atlantic.

Sheldon Walker was the top player to leave the defense. The cornerback finished the season with 94 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and an interception. Defense shouldn’t be a problem for Florida State, with a lot of returning talent in the fold.

8-2. Another strong Florida State team will make a deep run in the postseason.

REGION 1 - 3A

KEY LOSSES

FLORIDA STATE

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 97

2019 STATS overall record 10

Wins 357

Head Coach: Daniel Williams

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of hudl.com

WHO’S BACK

It will be more of the same from Lakeland Chrisitan.

They’ve been one of the most consistent teams in the state since 2011 and haven’t had a losing season since 2010. This team is always around the eight to 10 win threshold, but could reach greater heights this season.

The Vikings reached the semifinals before falling to Florida State University High School, but have a lot of the talent returning from a team that went 10-2 and outscored opponents 357 to 179.

Last season, Lakeland Christian only had seven seniors on their roster. With many players using last year to gather some much needed experience, this could be the opportunity Vikings fans were waiting for, with a shot at a state championship seemingly in their grasp.

This group is a contender and should be ready to go come the start of the season.

REGION 2 - 3A

Points Scored Points Allowed

179

WHAT TO EXPECT

LAKELAND CHRISTIAN

2 Losses

9-1. The Vikings are legit and will make a run at a state championship.

Cade Denhoff is a four-star recruit committed to Clemson University who led the way for the Vikings last season. He finished the year with 92 tackles and 11 sacks. The two-sport star also stands out on the basketball court, and that length and athleticism helps him on the football field. He should have another big year in 2020.

Also keep an eye on Parker Galberaith, who led the team with four interceptions last season as a freshman.

This is a talented defense, and the state of Florida should be on notice for how difficult it will be to score against this group.

KEY LOSSES Only seven seniors were on the roster last season, which makes this a great opportunity for the Vikings.

The biggest name to replace will be Nathan Smith, who led the team with 116 tackles and also contributed 2.5 sacks. He was the leader of the defensive unit that gave up under 15 points per game in 2019.

They’ll also have to replace Sky Copen, who was the team’s linebacker and fullback last season, contributing 54 tackles on the year. But this team returns the bulk of their players on both sides of the ball, including a star on the defensive line.

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

98 | itgnext.com

ITG Next | 99

100 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

5

5

261 250

Losses Points Scored

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of evasathletics.com

Head Coach: Frank Andrea

WHAT TO EXPECT Head coach Frank Andrea is hoping that the 2020 season will be the breakthrough year for his team. According to Andrea, Eagle’s View has hovered around the .500 mark for most of the past decade, with zero playoff appearances during that time. As Andrea begins his fifth year as head coach, the team is coming off a 5-5 season in 2019, a 4-6 mark in 2018, and a 6-4 record in 2017. That’s kind of been the story of Warriors football recently.

But things are looking up as Eagle’s View Academy joins the SSAC this season. They move out of the FHSSA District 2 Region 1, where they played a tough schedule against bigger schools. Eagle’s View has just 25 players on their roster. But of those 25, Andrea said they return 23.

“We’ve got some good talent returning,” Andrea said.

“We’ve got some good talent returning.”

— Frank Andrea

A group of seniors lead the returning starters. In addition to his duties in the defensive backfield as a free safety, Jacob Kern will also play in the slot on offense and handle the kicking and punting chores for the team. Also back are Justin Jones at offensive guard and middle linebacker, lineman Jamie Sharpe, and defensive end and guard Jacari Johnson.

Returning juniors include quarterback and cornerback Jalen Hunter and running back and strong safety Cory McKalip, who led the team in touchdowns last season. According to Andrea, McKalip is drawing interest from a few Division I schools.

Finishing just behind him in team touchdowns last season was sophomore Ethan Andrews. He’s the team’s wingback in the Warriors’ single wing attack.

Defensive End Breyer Wood has graduated. The other graduate is Michael Gebremedhin, who will continue to play football after accepting an offer to Massachusetts Maritime Academy (after completing just his second season of organized football last season).

Will this be the year Eagle’s View breaks their long-standing drought of no playoff appearances? The move to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, along with practically every member of last year’s team returning, could mean great things for the Warriors in 2020. Look for a leap to 7-3 and that elusive playoff game finally realized this season.

REGION 1 - 2A

KEY LOSSES

EAGLE’S VIEW

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 101

2019 STATS overall record 11

Wins 409

Head Coach: David Penland

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

262 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of University Christian Football Boosters via Facebook

The Christians have been one of North Florida’s most consistently winning programs under head coach David Penland, who enters his ninth season at the Jacksonville school. As always, they’ll be seeking state title number 10 heading into the season. They were on their way last year but faced injuries at key spots.

“Injuries simply caught up to us last year,” Penland said.

Still, his team won 11 games last year, advancing to the Final Four of the playoffs. With a ton of returning starters on both sides of the ball, hopes are high for this season.

REGION 1 - 2A

UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN

WHAT TO EXPECT

102 | itgnext.com

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

The Christians return eight starters on offense with a group of sophomores and juniors leading the way.

That includes sophomore quarterback Desirrio Riles, junior running back Arthur “Fatz” Walker, sophomore corner back Orel Grey, junior defensive end and tight end Jerome Manning, and junior wideout and cornerback Ja’Won Gray. Seniors Jeremiah Johnson and Joe Carter provide the leadership.

On defense, junior tackle Khol Roswan returns, while Carter, Manning, and Gray lend a hand on the defensive side of the ball too.

The Christians lost a few key playmakers from last year’s 11-win squad. According to Penland, they include running back Jackie Dihn, cornerback Max McClendon, center Noah Robertson, and Garrett Davis.

The string of success shouldn’t stop at University Christian in 2020. Look for Penland’s team to once again be on the north side of a 10-win season and competing for a state title.

Northeast Florida’s

RUNNING Headquarters At 1st Place Sports, we welcome runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities to come and experience our one-on-one fit process! This fit process helps you find the perfect shoe to meet the needs of your active lifestyle.

Whether you run, walk, go to the gym, or just need a comfortable pair of shoes, our expert staff are here to help find the best fit for you.

Best Shoe & Apparel Selection in Northeast Florida! Expert Bra & Shoe Fittings! EVERYTHING you need for running & walking!

BAYMEADOWS 3931 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville, FL

SAN MARCO 2018 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL

JAX BEACH 424 South. 3rd Street, Jax Beach, FL

TOWN CENTER 4870 Big Island Dr. Jacksonville, FL

ST. AUGUSTINE 1000 S. Ponce De Leon Blvd.

St. Augustine, FL

ORANGE PARK 2186 Park Avenue Orange Park, FL

W W W. 1 S T P L A C E S P O R T S . C O M

104 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

3

7

Losses Points Scored

184 262

Points Allowed

Head Coach: Demetric Jackson

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of wruf.com

WHAT TO EXPECT It was a step backward for Fort White. For a team that had been .500 or better every season since 2008, a 3-7 record for the Indians was not what was expected in 2019. They struggled to get going on offense and to get stops on defense. They only scored 18 points per game and now have a good amount of players leaving due to graduation.

Demetric Jackson has proven himself a good coach for the Indians, as he’s had nothing but success with Fort White. Twelve years ago, he took over for a program that had struggled a lot of years, and he just had his first losing season in 2019. We’ll see if he can get the Indians to bounce back to their usual form.

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

Fort White lost too much talent to get back to eight or nine wins this season.

REGION 3 - 1A

The Indians lost four offensive linemen from last season. Those four starters were some of the most experienced players on the roster and will be difficult to replace for Fort White. They also lose three linebackers and their seven leading tacklers. Linebacker and offensive line are typically leaders of the offense and defense and will be tough to replace with the shortened preseason due to COVID-19.

Derek Roberson was the top player on the defensive side of the ball. He finished the year with 67 tackles and six sacks at the linebacker position. Roberson was the catalyst for the Indians defense.

Izaya Latham is another player at defensive back who led the team with two interceptions and 14 pass deflections on the season.

FORT WHITE

Tyler Jefferson is catching a lot of people’s attention. The dual-threat quarterback started as a freshman for the Indians last season and put together some solid numbers. He’s already been offered Division I scholarships to FAU and Kentucky, and if he can limit the turnovers in 2020, he could become a special player for the Indians.

JaRod Cannon will take over the secondary. He had two interceptions and six pass deflections last season and will be a key cog for Fort White to have success.

ITG Next | 105

2019 STATS overall record Wins

Head Coach: John Pate

7

5

304

Points Scored

Losses

Points Allowed

289 Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of hudl.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

REGION 3 - 1A

HILLIARD

Hilliard’s 2019 season can be summed up as the good, the bad, and the ugly, but with a lot of good. Hilliard won its first playoff game in 14 years, finishing with a 7-5 overall record after going 3-7 the previous season. The playoff win came in a come-from-behind, overtime shootout victory versus Branford 34-33.

The Red Flashes did it with a 14-year-old freshman quarterback at the controls. Lyle Bennett was forced into action after starting QB Nathan Dowie collapsed with a severe head injury after completing Hilliard’s first game of the season against Gainesville Oak Hall. The senior fell ill in the locker room after the game and was rushed to the hospital, where bleeding on his brain was discovered. After surgery and months of recovery, Dowie is fine.

No one suspected that Hilliard would win seven of their next 10 games, including that playoff win. Head coach John Pate said the team rallied behind Bennnet, albeit with a modified offensive scheme.

“We had to make things very simplistic with Lyle, but he did a great job, as did our entire team,” Pate said.

The season ended with a blowout playoff loss to Madison County, but don’t expect that to dampen the Red Flashes’ spirit. According to Pate, the roster has grown from a paltry 17 players when he took over in 2016 to the current roster of 61 players. Also factor in that Pate and his staff will have seven starters to work with on offense and six on defense, and there is a lot to be excited about heading into this season.

106 | itgnext.com

WHO’S BACK

KEY LOSSES

Bennett returns as the starter at quarterback. He will have the Class 1A Player of the Year returning in the offensive backfield in senior Tywuan Lee. A four-year starter at running back and defensive back, Lee averaged 27 yards per carry in 2019. He and Bennett will give Hilliard a lot of production and experience on offense.

Defensive end Carson Newkirk returns. The 6-foot-5 player will see time on offense at tight end, according to Pate.

Lane Beasley transfers in to give Pate’s defense a gap-stopper in the middle.

Beasley will have to replace graduating middle linebacker Seth O’Neal, linebacker Kale Corbitt, and defensive end Tanner Morgan.

8-4. Look for yet another solid season and another playoff victory – maybe even two – when it’s all said and done.

2019 STATS overall record 12

Wins 586 242

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of wtxl.com

Head Coach: Mike Coe

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK Returning to lead the Cowboys will be bruising running back Robert Heirs. Part-time starting running back Greg Mitchell will also be back. The pair of Hiers and Mitchell will give Madison a potent two-way attack in the running game. Wide receiver Zarrion Robinson returns to give the Cowboys a big target at receiver. R.J. Williams will return, and though just a part-time player last season, he will assume the role of quarterback with the graduation of Vinsonta Allen.

Allen, who moved to quarterback last season from his running back position two seasons ago, had an outstanding last year, and he will be missed. So will his favorite target last year in receiver Darrion Staten, an absolute terror in yards after the catch. Along with Herring and Coe, tackle Jayden Roberson also graduates.

It’s hard not to predict anyone but Madison winning the state championship in Class 1A, where they have dominated over the last four seasons. Until some one does, I’ll take the Cowboys to make it four in a row.

REGION 1 - 7A

KEY LOSSES

MADISON COUNTY

The Cowboys have become the team to beat in Class 1A, punctuated by three straight state championship victories, including last season’s 70-35 runaway victory over Blounstown.

Another batch of talented Cowboys will now move on, including starting offensive linemen Zac Coe and another Florida State commit in Zane Herring. In fact, this class of seniors will leave their mark, having led Madison to 50 wins against just four losses over the last four seasons, including those three straight championships.

A new batch of senior leaders must continue the winning ways at Madison County. Just three starters return on offense, with six back on defense.

“I fully expect our team to continue to compete at a high level this season, just as the teams before them have done” Coe said. “Our continued success will be determined by our returning starters,” he said. “They know what it takes, and I feel like they will be prepared to carry on the legacy and tradition at Madison County High School.”

ITG Next | 107

2019 STATS overall record Wins

7

260

Head Coach: Andrew Thomas 1st Year HC

279

6

Losses

Points Scored Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of maxpreps.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK Senior wideout Cortez Slocum, who is being heavily recruited by several colleges, will be one of the Tigers’ main weapons, according to Thomas.

“We expect to utilize Cortez a lot this season,” Thomas said.

Senior B.J. Harvey will line up at slot receiver on offense and will play corner on defense.

There is a two-way battle for the quarterback position between sophomore A.J. Cortese and junior Martin Odum. However, Thomas said that it’s likely both will see playing time this year.

REGION 3 - 1A

UNION COUNTY

Union County players and fans are hoping that the 2020 season will begin without the same unrest that the 2019 season began with. Just days before the season opener, long-time head coach and athletic director Ronny Pruitt suddenly and unexpectedly stepped down. In his 10 seasons as head coach, Pruitt led the Tigers to a 72-28 record. Defensive coordinator Kepa Sarduy stepped in and took over coaching duties. Union County finished 7-6 with a couple of playoff wins.

Union County enters this season with their third head coach in less than a year, as former Trenton Tigers head coach Andrew Thomas takes over at the Lake Butler school. Thomas was candid about his expectations heading into the season.

“I took over the team in February just as everything was shutting down (due to the coronavirus pandemic),” Thomas said.

“So, I really have not had much of an opportunity to visit with my guys other than the virtual meetings that we’re having. But, I want to see these guys on the football field, and so far, that’s not happened.”

Thomas said he has two offensive and four defensive starters returning.

“I can tell you that we have some talent – Union County always does – but we need to find some depth,” Thomas said.

108 | itgnext.com

KEY LOSSES Gone from last year’s squad is wideout Mitchell Rizer, linebacker and running back Hosea Robinson, linebacker Travon Williams, running back and cornerback Tevon Lee, and defensive end Tate Worrell.

9-4. Look for a return trip to the playoffs and a deep run. With Thomas taking over, Union County will return to the winning ways they enjoyed for so many seasons under Pruitt. Thomas led Trenton to three state championship games, winning two. He knows how to win, and he’ll have a good program to work with.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA NEWSLETTER SIGN UP TODAY! ITGNEXT.COM/NEWSLETTER INTERVIEWS • GAME HIGHLIGHTS • RANKINGS • INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHO’S BACK Only two graduates on the roster undoubtedly means that a lot of players will be returning for the Spartans. The first player to keep an eye on is defensive back Kyle Boylston. As an eighth-grader last season, Boylston had four interceptions in the secondary to go along with the 142 yards and two touchdowns he received. He’s a fast riser and kid to watch for years to come in the program.

Perhaps their top player to return is rising senior Max Arnold. Arnold led the team in receiving, with 654 yards and nine touchdowns, and in tackles, with 72. He also contributed an interception on the defensive end and was second on the team in rushing last season. His ability to do it all will be essential to Spartans’ success in 2020.

KEY LOSSES

NORTH FLORIDA - NFFC

ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY

Head Coach: Derek Chipoletti

It’s been tough sledding at times for St. Johns Country Day. Outside of a three-year stretch from 2012 to 2014 in which the program went 18-9 in three seasons, the Spartans have struggled. Those are the only three winning seasons since 2007 for the team. But maybe it’s time the Spartans begin trending back up.

In 2019, the Spartans went 3-4, and in the games they lost, the offense struggled to get going. In their four losses, the team averaged 7 points per game. In their three wins, they averaged 29 points per game. It was an improvement year under second-year head coach Derek Chipoletti, but consistency will be key to making this a good team.

There’s a lot of reason for optimism in the Spartans camp. They return the bulk of their team, which was playing a lot of lower classmen and even eighth-graders on occasion. With that experience under their belt, perhaps St. Johns Country Day can be a player in 2020.

110 | itgnext.com

The Spartans had two seniors on their roster last season, with the majority of players playing both ways. Liam Bielik was one of the team’s top offensive and defensive linemen. He finished last season with 67 tackles and a sack at defensive tackle.

Joe Shimko is the other graduate from last season’s team. He’s attending Berry College to play another sport in rowing, but contributed 30 tackles last season for the Spartans.

5-5. It’s a step in the right direction as the Spartans look to continue progressing.

2019 STATS overall record 3

Wins

4

116

Points Scored 247

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photographycourtesy of St. Johns Country Day School via Facebook

Losses

Points Allowed

GRAPHICS, PRINTING AND INSTALLATION

904-566-7480 11672 Philips Hwy. Suite 3 Jacksonville, Fl 32256

BANNERS

PRINTING

VEHICLE WRAPS

connect with us www.evolutionsignsandprint.com • evolutionsignsandprint@gmail.comITG Next

| 111

JQUAN HICKS

defensive end

sandlwood saints

top offers

112 | itgnext.com

WHAT TO EXPECT St. Joseph has gotten used to success in recent seasons. In the last four years, they have won seven, nine, and 10 games in three of those seasons. They’re a strong team that won a first-round playoff game in 2019 before falling in the second round. They lost to Maclay 38-2, but would like to forget that and move forward in 2020.

In 2019, the defense did a good job holding teams to 19 points per game on the season, but it was 8 points worse than the defense was in 2018, when they only allowed 110 points on the season. The offense also took a step back in 2019, but did score 21 points per game on the season. This team has some talent, with just about every position returning a key player, which should allow the Flashes to bounce back to their normal heights.

WHO’S BACK Quite a lot of the Flashes return, led by Will Carn at quarterback. He finished the year with 1,950 yards and 20 touchdowns. He will look to have a big senior season, as he also returns his starting running back in Aaron Robinson and his top receiving options in Kent Hill and Michael Battis out wide.

The defense also returns a bulk of their talent, led

by Dillon Ott, who had over 100 tackles on the season.

KEY LOSSES Safety Patrick Lane was everywhere for St. Joseph last season. He finished the season with 81 tackles, an interception, four pass deflections, and three sacks.

His leadership was key for the Flashes, and it is tough to replace that kind of talent in the secondary.

Linebacker Ethan Senderling was also a key player with 53 tackles, a couple of sacks, and an interception on the season. That doesn’t even include his impact on the offense, where he caught nearly 300 yards and a touchdown.

overall record Wins

5

6

231 208

Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

ST. JOSEPH

2019 STATS

NORTH FLORIDA - NFFC

7-3. St. Joseph has proven they own this division and should bounce back in 2020.

Written by: Kyle Grondin Photography courtesy of sjaweb.org

Head Coach: Kyle Bradburn

ITG Next | 113

WALTER SIMMONS III

quarterback

oakleaf knights

top offers COMMITTED

114 | itgnext.com

2019 STATS overall record Wins

2

8

Losses Points Scored

107 350

Points Allowed

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of bishopsnyder.org

Head Coach: Travis Markoski

WHAT TO EXPECT The 2013 season seems so long ago – even farther back than the seven years it has been. That’s the last time the Cardinals enjoyed a winning season, as they finished with a 10-win season against just one loss. Since that time, Bishop Snyder’s best season was 2017, when they went 5-6. Last season saw Bishop Snyder finish 2-8. Travis Markoski, who will be entering his sixth season as head coach, said his team is poised to break through with six starters returning on offense and six on defense.

“We’re encouraged by the number of returning starters we have coming back,” Markoski said. “(The team is) full of young underclassmen who are going to have to step up this season and show that they can get the job done. I look forward to watching them go out and compete this year.”

The Cardinals will have just eight seniors on the roster heading into the season, and if they are to be successful, they will need to beat a couple of teams that perhaps they’re not supposed to.

“Our guys will be a hungry bunch,” Markoski said.

KEY LOSSES The Cardinals will miss dual-threat Trey Williams. He played cornerback and running and had 230 yards rushing in his last game. Center Connor Salt will be missed for his ability to see the field.

“Connor has a high football IQ,” Markoski said.

I see the 2020 team of Cardinals being the team that comes out and leads the program to a winning season. With a lot of key players coming back, expect a 6-4 season at Bishop Snyder this fall.

FIRST COAST - SSAC

Returning at quarterback this season will be Ijon Richardson, who will also play some slot receiver. According to Markoski, the team is looking for big things from the senior signal caller.

“We’ll be expecting a lot of production this season from Ijon,” Markoski said.

A couple of those younger players that Markoski spoke about include sophomore running backs Devin McCloud and Traymon Hernandez. On defense, Kemari Kelly will be the leader from his defensive end slot. Just a junior, Kelly is another piece of the youth movement that the head coach expects to see a lot from in 2020.

“Kemari will also see time at receiver and tight end,” Markoski said.

Junior Christian Villinueva will line up at safety, where Markoskis said he is a ball hawk.

BISHOP SNYDER

WHO’S BACK

ITG Next | 115

WHAT TO EXPECT

Head Coach: Jamie Gamel

The Saints are hoping the 2020 season will bring a year of stability to a program that has been up and down on a roller coaster ride of success and heartache. Last year saw the Saints finish 2-8, just one year following a successful seven-win season. Head coach Jamie Gamel said the key to his team’s success this year and beyond starts with establishing a level playing field.

This doesn’t involve any heavy equipment, but rather a move to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference where the Saints will compete with teams more comparable to their size. Cedar Creek has 25 players on their roster, and now they’ll play opposing schools with similar numbers. Gamel said he will return 13 starters from last year’s squad with players spending time on both sides.

“We must find some depth,” Gamel said. “Right now, that’s our biggest issue.”

WHO’S BACK Returning to the 2020 season will be linebacker and running back Kayjuan Maduka. The senior was one of the team’s leading tacklers from a year ago, according to Gamel. Senior Martez Anderson will play some quarterback, tight end, running back, and safety on defense.

“We will rely heavily on those two guys,” Gamel said.

Gamel said Michael Hayes, a junior, will compete for the quarterback position with Anderson, and both will likely play in a platoon situation.

KEY LOSSES

FIRST COAST - SSAC

CEDAR CREEK

Edward Berry will be missed along the offensive and defensive lines where he was a starter for four years.

Ethan Floyd has been in the program since the sixth grade and was defensive end and fullback for Ceder Creek.

“They were two big leaders for us, and they will be missed for sure,” Gamel said.

116 | itgnext.com

This is a tough team to figure out. They lose some good talent, but have some power and speed coming back. The quarterback position is unsettled at the moment, and without having the benefit of a true offseason to work through, the competition for signal caller could be decided in the season. As has been the trend of late for the Saints, look for Ceder Creek Christian to finish with an 8-3 season .

2019 STATS overall record Wins

2

8

98

Points Scored 281

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of duvalsports.com

Losses

Points Allowed

2019 STATS overall record 7

Wins 379

2 Losses Points Scored Points Allowed

175

Head Coach: Jim Stomps

Written by: Phil Jones Photography courtesy of ccajax.org

@ITGNext #StayInTheGame with #ITGNext

by following us on each of our social media platforms!

WHAT TO EXPECT

KEY LOSSES

Returning to lead the Eagles is running back Dawson Schnepel.

“He will be our primary running back this season,” Stomps said.

The senior will also see time on defense at cornerback.

Returning to pave the way for the running backs will be junior center Hayden Brown and senior offensive lineman Kaleb Cook.

On defense, a trio of linebackers returns to give the Eagles experience at the position. The group is led by middle linebacker Zack O’Connor. A three-year starter, O’Connor was an All-Conference and All-State selection last season with over 100 tackles in each of the previous two seasons. Outside linebackers Lee Setzer and Andrew Partyka also return.

Quarterback Ben Anderson, a two-year starter, has graduated. He was also an All-State selection with 32 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Center Matt Jarosszeski, a four-year starter, has graduated

The Eagles have done well under Stomps, but may require one of his best coaching jobs with so many key losses from last season. Still, look for another seven-win season and another trip to the playoffs.

FIRST COAST - SSAC

WHO’S BACK

CHRIST’S CHURCH

Fans of the Eagles love the progress made under head coach Jim Stomps. Hired in 2015, Stomps led Christ’s Church Academy to a 30-18 record, including last season’s 7-2 mark, which included just one loss in the regular season and a tough-to-take playoff loss to Mount Dora Christian Academy. That game saw the two teams score a combined 110 points, a 62-48 loss for the Eagles.

The Eagles welcome back six starters on defense and two on offense. Stomps said that after last year’s impressive season and with how things have gone since he arrived, he realizes the expectations are high with the Christ’s Church team. But Stomps said it’s important not to get too far ahead of themselves.

“Our first goal is to just go 1-0 every week,” Stomps said. “Our overall goals are simple: Win each week, and if we don’t, use that as a learning experience for the next game. We want to have a wining season and win our district. We certainly want to make it back to the playoffs, and if we do that, we want to win a state championship.”

ITG Next | 117

Senior's Decision Day

Written by: Kyle Grondin

COVID-19 has put a lot of high school seniors in a bind. For some student-athletes, it comes down to playing with their friends in high school one last time or enrolling early to pursue their dreams of playing college football.

When it comes to being a senior football player, talking about making a decision usually comes down to which college you should attend. Now, it’s about whether you should even play your senior year.

With many high school sports associations postponing football until the spring, seniors are left in a bind. Typically, higher profile recruits have the opportunity to graduate in December and enroll at their respective universities in the spring, giving them an early chance to learn the playbook, meet their new teammates, and get an opportunity to compete for a starting job as a freshman. With many high schools pushing their football seasons to the spring, athletes must choose to still attempt to play for their high school teams or forgo their senior seasons and enroll in college early.

The biggest name to decide to play his senior year of high school was Sam Huard, the five-star quarterback out of Kennedy Catholic. He is just 1,303 yards from breaking the state of Washington’s all-time passing record for a high school career. He made the decision of playing his senior season and choose not to enroll at the University of Washington early.

Other players, such as five-star defensive end Korey Foreman, have made a different decision. Foreman, out of Centennial High School in California, is widely regarded as one of the top players in the class of 2021, and he made his intentions clear that he plans to enroll in college early no matter what.

Foreman tweeted: “If they make me choose between my senior season or going to college… please believe I’m headed to my first camp… no questions asked.”

While he remains uncommitted, whoever earns his signature should expect him in the spring.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrown everybody for a curveball in 2020.

High school sports have certainly suffered greatly because of it. There are many more difficult decisions being made around the world today, but this just places one more tough decision on the shoulders of talented 18-year-olds around the country.

118 | itgnext.com