DuvalSports.com will recap all the spring football games in Northeast Florida this summer! Check out this game’s recap below!
” I wanted to schedule the toughest opponent possible for our spring game”. These were the words of Head Coach Adam Geis of Sandalwood, whose Saints faced the Brian Allen led Columbia Tigers. Both teams made the playoffs last year, but both teams lost critical starters to graduation. It would be a good test between two former Class 6A district rivals, and the game would mirror that of a good ole 1990’s slug fest.
It's LIVE at Sandalwood!!! Saints vs Columbia Tigers! Spring Football Action! pic.twitter.com/AimRohvXb2
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 24, 2016
Sandalwood and Columbia renew their old 6A rivalry as they prepare for a Spring Football matchup! @SouthSportsJrnl pic.twitter.com/BWrn6GWthW
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 24, 2016
Both teams possessed great size, but Sandalwood was noticeably bigger on both sizes of the ball. Sandalwood averages 300lbs on the O-line led by Louis Lebron and Henry Brooks. Their defensive line has great size too. Led by 300 pounder Defensive Tackle Sincere David. Both lines got in good work this spring competing against one another.
Louis LeBron and Henry Brooks been opening holes all night for Logan Wight #200Yds @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/rjt82k0v83
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Saints 2 Big Dogs Henry Brooks and Louis Lebron @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/3Kc0tZ5lks
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
The spring game started in the trenches as the Saints offensive line opened up gaping holes for their running back Logan Wright. Wright is big with good speed, but his quickness when hitting the hole was the most impressive feat for the star back. Vision and quickness are two things he has clearly worked on this spring, as last year he relied on his size and strength to barrel into the line and move the chains.
Just like that Logan Wright with a big 60yd run to set up the pass to RZ McCorker from Kyle Smith TD Saints! pic.twitter.com/RkZmFdkdQQ
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 24, 2016
Sandalwood's Logan Wright is big and fast. He's going to be a nightmare to tackle this year!
— Andre' R. Ellis (@andreellis55) May 24, 2016
Saints O-Line really opening big holes tonight in Spring vs Columbia! pic.twitter.com/9P2kZfRVn5
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 24, 2016
Wright would rush for 200 yards in just three quarters. It was an impressive showing for the rising senior. But is counter part for Columbia would also impress on the evening. Columbia’s Kamario Bell had an outstanding year last year, leading his team deep into the playoffs. On Columbia’s first drive of the spring game he bursts a long run setting up the score for the Tigers. He would excel at hitting the hole and exhibited bursts of speed in the open field. What was most impressive about Bell was his ability to carry defenders for extra yards after contact. He is a ball of muscle, and
Wow #34 Kamaio Bell returns the favor with a 40 yd scamper to set up the #21 Stanley Maxwell 5yd TD run! Tied 7-7 pic.twitter.com/klj9BX3lE3
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 24, 2016
#34 Kamario Bell had a 60yd crazy run on Tigers 1st drive @DuvalSports @TigerTownCHS pic.twitter.com/7ztXCzjsvH
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 24, 2016
Columbia's Kamario Bell is reminiscent of Columbia Running Backs of old! He should have a special year!
— Andre' R. Ellis (@andreellis55) May 24, 2016
Both backs would set up touchdowns for their teams, showing the versatility of both offenses.
Tigers march it right down the field. Stanley Maxwell 5yd TD run 7-7 @TigerTownCHS @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/9SFzFW7LhJ
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 24, 2016
RZ McCorker the 10yd TD reception 7-0 Sandalwood over Columbia 1stqtr pic.twitter.com/Q7frW0n1Hh
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 24, 2016
The defenses were stout at the point of attack. Columbia’s Robby Moon controlled the line of scrimmage at defensive tackle. He shed blockers and faced double teams. Also the defensive end #9 Ranadree Bradley came off the edge with great speed and looks like he will be tough for offensive tackles to deal with. They have good speed in the secondary including safety Derontae Jordan.
9 Ranadree Bradley and 58 Bo Simmons for Columbia after their Spring Game vs Sandalwood pic.twitter.com/mmH7n2p6ym
— Andre' R. Ellis (@andreellis55) May 25, 2016
Tigers are fast on both sides of the ball.. 4.4 40 6'0 180lbs
FS/SS Derontae Jordan @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/4SLLlUz2C0— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Sandalwood’s defense is stacked with top tier talent from front to back. The leader of the defense is FSU commit LB Bradley Jennings. Jennings was observed by Duval Sports analyst Phillip Myers making tackles all over the field.
#FSU Commit Bradley Jennings all over the field for the Saints D @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/VBtvnK99Pp
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 24, 2016
Sandalwood’s talented secondary was as good as advertised. It was a no fly zone in the spring game. Ameer Speed, and Quaran Hafiz locked down the corners, while safety #12 Devinn Waters patrolled the middle. Waters found himself in perfect position and had his hands on two interceptions but couldn’t reel them in.Still, he and the other Saints defenders were very impressive against Columbia’s quarterback Davin Schuck.
1 of the nations best DBs.. SWood Saints
Ameer Speed 6'3 195 DB 38 offers #EspnTop300 #296 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/uogAFvG7gB— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Sandalwood Saints #DBU @DuvalSports @SHSSaintSquad pic.twitter.com/xcJoATD4oQ
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 10, 2016
Saints DBs Hafiz,Waters,and Speed hold 2016 FLAs top passing leader QB #33 D.Schuck to less than 50yds @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/GTOWizMI7F
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Logan Wright scored on a beautiful run up the middle, weaving behind his blockers and turning on the jets in the open field. Sandalwood won 14-7. It was a great effort from both teams, but both coaches know they have a long way to go if they want to contend for the ultimate prize in the fall. Look for Sandalwood and Columbia to fine tune the quarterback and wide receiver positions. Losing Eli Peters and Phil Benker will be extremely tough to replace, but QB Kyle Smith showed potential last season against Lee in a regular season contest, and in the spring game he commanded the offense well even though he was not asked to do much. The Wide Receivers will look to separate themselves as the go to guy, until then a committee approach will ensue with RZ McCorker as the top dog.
Saints Air Attack @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/Buwr3VtRB7
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Losing WR Latrell Williams, Dallon Washington, and Michael Jackson will hurt the Tigers but the Tigers posses speed and will develop the young wide receiver chemistry with Quarterback Davin Schuck this summer. Wide Receiver Nathan Maxwell will be the guy now to lead the group. It’s important that they get on the same page with their QB Schuck who led the area in passing last year. Coach describes his quarterback as an extension of him on the field, touting his ability to call plays, and direct the offense.
Tigers Air Attack#7WR Jamille Bullock 4.5 40#1WR Nathan Maxwell#33QB Davin Schuck#3WR Bobby Fulton @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/nkEq9OVztr
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Both teams capitalized from competing against one another in the spring. It will without question make them better for the fall competition. The talent on the teams will work to get better this summer. Here are a few more names to look out for that stood out this spring.
#LookOut Sandalwood Saints
2019 #24 DB/WR Antonio Clary
2019 #25 RBZay McHellon@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/u4iVkC8F14— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Saints offense gone be hard to stop.
#32 RB L.Wright #2 WR RZ McCorker
#72 RT H.Brooks #5 QB K.Smith @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/0OO0CtDS87— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) May 25, 2016
Thanks for checking out the Duval Sports Spring Football recap of Sandalwood and Columbia. Check out the full game highlights below by Phillip Myers and DreamKingFilmz.
And don’t forget to check back with DuvalSports.com for more spring football recaps, your #1 site for Youth & Pep Sports in NE Florida!
