FORT PIERCE CENTRAL COBRAS
FRIDAY NIGHT MEMORIES
1994
8-5
Why it was special: After a 6-4 regular season, the Cobras stunned 10-0 Palm Beach Lakes 44-14 and knocked off 9-2 Dillard, 17-13, before losing to nationally ranked Miami Southridge 20-16 in a state quarterfinal. By the numbers: Fort Pierce Central scored 300 points, becoming the first
St. Lucie County team to do so three years in a row. Playmakers: Running backs Maurice Toombs and Alvin Swoope led the way behind a terrific line that included Florida State-bound tackle Jerry Johnson. Toombs had 1,473 yards and 17 touchdowns, Swoope 1,134 and 12 TDs. The defense was led by Sam Knight,
who averaged nearly 8 tackles and intercepted 5 passes. Darrell Reaves had 3 blocked kicks and Joe Kisler had a team-high 10 sacks. Etc.: Toombs and Swoope were arguably the greatest running back tandem in area history. They combined for 8,055 yards and 79 touchdowns.
SCHEDULE
STRENGTHS
August 31 Fort Pierce Westwood 7 September 7 at Palm Bay 7:30 14 Sebastian River 7 27 at Vero Beach 7 October 5 at Viera 7:30 19 Martin County 7 26 St. Lucie West Centennial 7 November 1 Port St. Lucie 7 9 at Hardee 7:30
DEFENSIVE LINE
Central has a wealth of riches along the defensive line and at the skill positions. All four starting defensive linemen return, including ends Rashawn Shaw (14 sacks, 17 tackles for loss in 2011) and Elliot Jacobs (six sacks, eight tackles for loss). Offensively, running back Marcus Levy is committed to Cincinnati, while wide receivers Josh Knight (six touchdown catches) and Jameel Jackson (five touchdowns) each have a handful of offers.
DEPTH CHART OFFENSE Pos Name QB Sam Vaughn RB Marcus Levy WR Jameel Jackson WR J.J. Stevens WR Josh Knight WR Alquawn Vickers OL Garrett Smith OL B. Jean Charles OL Nic Padrick OL Zach Groothouse OL Louis Saez
No 2 14 18 5 4 7 50 68 53 54 61
Cl Ht Wt Jr. 6-3 166 Sr. 5-11 195 Sr. 6-0 180 Sr. 5-6 160 Sr. 6-2 180 Jr. 5-8 160 Sr. 6-4 280 Sr. 5-10 220 Sr. 6-1 255 Sr. 6-0 215 Jr. 6-1 260
WEAKNESSES OFFENSIVE LINE
Central’s offensive line was a strength last season — it allowed just four sacks during the regular season — but now is a question mark. Tackles Zerrie Patterson and Bryce Hall graduated and now play at Florida A&M, meaning last year’s backups must step up. Quarterbacks Demarcus Semer and Sam Vaughn have talent, but are unproven and must replace Marcus Sigmon, a two-time all-area selection.
DEFENSE Pos Name DE Elliot Jacobs DT Maurice Campbell DT Jerandious Works DE Rashawn Shaw LB Sharief Rhaheed LB Stacy Noble LB William Daceus DB Joseph Figueroa DB Roody Clerisier DB Tyler Gaskin DB Courtney Mimms
No 6 99 32 42 15 44 30 31 3 8 19
Cl Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So.
Ht 6-0 6-4 5-11 6-2 6-4 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-9
Wt 200 240 265 225 205 220 180 180 160 185 140
KEY GAME
SPECIAL TEAMS Pos Name K Dylan Blosser P Mike McGinnis
No Cl 35 Jr. 80 So.
Ht Wt 5-9 160 5-9 170
SEPT. 27: AT VERO BEACH
RESERVES Demarcus Semer (12, Sr., QB), Alonzo Hippolyte (55, Sr., OL), Roger Clark (52, Sr., DL), Mike Percival (20, Jr., DB), James Blackshell (16, Sr., WR), Billy Jolivert (22, So., WR), Lowgens Cleriser (13, Sr., WR), Robby Rudoff (77, Jr., OL), Andrew Guthart (68, So., OL), Brian Burritt (34, Jr., LB), Anthony Gamble (11, Jr., DB), William Blue 74, Sr., OL), Kyle West (82, So., WR), Nehari Crawford (10, So., WR), Sharmar Pierre (81, So., WR), Cassey Pierre (83, So., WR), Robin Zimeo (84, So., WR), Mike Gladstein (33, Sr., LB), Eugene Jacobs (43, Sr., LB), Stevenson Simeus (95, Sr.,DL), James Mathews (72, Sr., OL/DL)
COACHING STAFF
Coach: Josh Shaffer (second year) Record: 9-2 2010: 9-2 (3-0 District 12-7A) Assistants: Dave Jacobs (offensive line), Keith Powell (wide receivers), Stacy Noble (running backs), Jake Padrick (offensive line), David Pierce (offensive line), Jerome Bembry (offensive skills), Charlie Matthews (defensive coordinator), Henry Scurry (defensive backs), Will Padrick (defensive line), Kimberry Lubin (linebackers), Brenton Kappler (defensive line)
STADIUM
LAWNWOOD STADIUM (5,000)
Playing surface: Grass Address: 1500 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce Directions: From U.S. 1: Go west on Virginia Avenue for one mile. The stadium is on your right. From Interstate 95: Take exit 129. Take Okeechobee Road east. Stay right at the fork when Okeechobee becomes Virginia Avenue. Take Virginia two miles. The stadium is on the left. Main office: 772-468-5888 On the web: www.stlucie.k12. fl.us/fpc
RIVALS
■■ Fort Pierce Westwood ■■ Martin County ■■ Vero Beach
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Sam Vaughn, a junior, was named the starting quarterback this week. He hit 9-of-11 passes for 94 yards against Treasure Coast in the kickoff classic last Friday.
Climbing the ladder Central determined to extend its run in the state playoffs
By Jon Santucci Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers
FORT PIERCE — The combination of a lengthy playoff run in 2011 and the return of talented players at almost every position has Fort Pierce Central dreaming of big things again this season. Central went 9-2 last season, losing in the Region 4-7A final to eventual state champion Bradenton-Manatee 13-10. “I have the expectation to go at least three (rounds) deep in the playoffs,” Central coach Josh Shaffer said. “To get there is the tough part.” To illustrate the point, in the final team meeting before fall practice began, Shaffer pulled out a ladder with five rungs and asked defensive back Roody Clerisier to climb to the top. “We’re trying to get to that fifth level,” Shaffer said. “Once you’re on that fifth level, there’s nothing there to hold on to, nothing there to catch you. You have to have the courage to get there and stand there.” Central certainly has the players — both offensively and defensively — to make another run deep into the postseason, starting with running back Marcus Levy. A consummate all-purpose back, Levy rushed for 1,382 yards,
MARCUS LEVY
caught a team-best 30 passes and scored 21 total touchdowns in 2011. The Cincinnati-commit was a first-team all-state selection in 2011 and is working toward a repeat performance. The passing game is set at receiver with Josh Knight, Jameel Jackson, J.J. Stephens, Alquan Vickers and James Blackshell. The biggest offensive question is: Can junior quarterback Sam Vaughn fill the void left by Marcus Sigmon’s graduation? Vaughn only won the starting job Monday after battling with senior Demarcus Semer since January, and it was a close competition throughout the spring and preseason camp. Shaffer said the decision was a tough one because they’ve been pushing each other to get better. “I’m comfortable with both of them,” Shaffer said. “They need to manage the game.” Regardless of who is under center, the offense will feature a different kind of attack than last season. While Sigmon’s biggest strengths were his leadership and smarts, Semer and Vaughn both have stronger arms, allowing the Cobras to take more shots downfield — something which should open up more room for Levy.
Senior running back 2011 stats: 1,382 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 409 receiving yards, three touchdowns Coach Shaffer: “He’s a dynamic player. He can turn a 1-yard gain into 80 yards.”
The defense allowed just over 13 points per game in 2011 and should once again be one of the best on the Treasure Coast. The unit’s main objective is to get the ball back by whatever means necessary, whether it’s forcing a turnover or forcing a fourth down. Everything for the Central defense starts up front. The entire defensive line — ends Elliot Jacobs and Rashawn Shaw and tackles Maurice Campbell and Jerandious Works — returns. The four combined for 23 sacks and three fumble recoveries last season. Central also added all-area linebacker/defensive end Sharieff Rhaheed, a transfer from Fort Pierce Westwood, who can make plays off the edge. “It goes under the radar, but that’s really a strength of the team,” Shaffer said. “We have both ends returning, we add Sharieff Rhaheed, we’ve got about eight defensive tackles we rotate in. “Our defensive line is really solid.” Linebacker Stacy Noble returns from a season-ending injury and should be a leader of the unit, while all-state safety Joe Figueroa mans the defensive backfield. The senior led the Treasure Coast with six interceptions last season.
JOE FIGUEROA
Senior safety 2011 stats: 97 tackles (five for loss), six interceptions, one fumble recovery Coach Shaffer: “Joe is very versatile. He’s got great coverage ability, great speed, great change of direction.”
Central-Vero Beach easily was the most anticipated non-district game in 2011 and it turned out to be a thriller. The Cobras led 14-0 in the first quarter and 21-14 at half, but Vero Beach scored the next three touchdowns and won the game 35-28. Central felt it should have won last year’s game and the coaching staff already has talked about wanting to beat Vero Beach on the road this season.
PREDICTION 7-2, 3-0 DISTRICT 12-7A Fort Pierce Central has the talent to be very good, but first must prove it has the right pieces, particularly at quarterback and on the offensive line. Whoever the quarterback is will have Marcus Levy in the backfield and four solid receivers to throw to, and with the addition of linebacker/ defensive end Sharieff Rhaheed, the defense could be just as good as it was a year ago. Tough nondistrict games at Palm Bay, Vero Beach, St. Lucie West Centennial and Hardee will be a challenge.
DID YOU KNOW?
■■ In 1975, Fort Pierce Central was 5-0 at Lawnwood Stadium, giving the Cobras a 32-2 home record through their first six seasons. ■■ In 1994, the trip to MiamiDade County was Fort Pierce Central’s first since 1971.
JAMES BLACKSHELL
Senior wide receiver 2011 stats: Injured after one game last season. Coach Shaffer: “In the first game of the year, last year, he breaks his leg ... He’s back full speed. He’s ready to go.”