This week on the Duval Sports Show, Andre’ and Corey discussed their top five quarterbacks and running backs through week five of the High School Football season. The Duval Sports crew have crisscrossed Northeast Florida for the first five weeks of the season and will give you the best at each position thus far on the first coast. Check out DuvalSports.com each week as we reveal two positions, naming the top 5 players at each position for our mid-season reports.
Quarterbacks
Andre’ Ellis
- Mac Jones- Bolles
- Nick Tronti- Ponte Vedra
- Ivory Durham IV- Raines
- Derrick Jones- Lee
- Joey Gatewood- Bartram
Andre’s take:
- Mac Jones: Why he’s number one.. He doesn’t have to pass the ball much in Bolle’s run oriented offense, but this big athlete has all the tools to make every throw when needed. I was sold when I saw him hit Amari Terry in stride for a deep ball against Westside in the Spring. He has the touch and most importantly the pocket presence that coaches love to see at the next level, especially Alabama where he is verbally committed(2017).
- Nick Tronti: Why he’s number two.. He is a very close second behind Jones. He is big, more athletic than Jones, and has a very nice arm. I’ve seen him throw the deep ball and the intermediate slant both on tight ropes. Absolutely love his confidence. He’s committed to North Carolina Charlotte (2017) but is sure to have more offers to consider before signing day.
- Ivory Durham IV Why he’s #3.. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a QB so small throw the ball so far in my life. He also had very good mechanics even as a sophomore(2018). You can tell he takes his craft very seriously and he is extremely humble. It’s the reason he is one of the best already in his young career.
- Derrick Jones: Why he’s number 4…This is a name you may not have heard of, but if you’ve watched the Lee Generals play you know what he can do. He’s another QB who’s size won’t impress you, but his speed and explosiveness will. On top of his play making ability, this QB’s arm and accuracy is also top notch.
- Joey Gatewood: Why he’s #5.. He doesn’t have the gaudy stats or numbers this year and in my opinion it’s not his fault. It’s a three headed QB system that Bartram Trail uses that’s really prevented this young man from putting up big numbers. Put Gatewood on Raines or Trinity and you’d definitely see more numbers from him. However this year he still has shown his sheer talent. Bartram routinely switches Gatewood from QB to WR, to RB and in my book that makes him a rare talent. It’s the reason he’s committed to Auburn (2018).
Corey Davis
- Mac Jones – Bolles High School
- Cole Northrup- St. Augustine
- Derrick Jones- Lee High School
- Gavin Screws- Baldwin High School
- Jaylen Jenkins- Clay High School
- Mac Jones (Sr., Bolles) stats don’t tell the story with Mac, he has yet to play a whole game so far in five games. Jones has been taken out of the game by halftime in all five games he has played yet still has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 729 yards.
- Cole Northrup (Sr., St Augustine) Four year starter for Jackets like Jones hasn’t played much at all with several running clock wins by the Jackets yet still has 1,037 yards and 7 touchdowns along with 0 interceptions.
- Derrick Jones (Jr., Lee) Thanks to two hurricanes and a bye week, Jones hasn’t been on the field much this season but when he has he has thrown for 663 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 74 attempts.
- Gavin Screws (Soph., Baldwin) Little known hidden gem has thrown for 1,132 yards and 14 touchdowns for 1A Baldwin and has them in contention for playoff spot.
- Jaylen Jenkins (Sr., Clay) Jenkins makes my list because he can beat you two ways if your not careful, throwing for 755 yards and 9 touchdowns and only two interceptions; while also running for 283 yards and 1 touchdown. Jenkins is a big reason the Devils went to the state semi-finals last season.
Quarterback Honorable Mention:
Mike Young– Fletcher
Davin Schuck– Columbia
Leighton Alley- Nease
Tyrus Cook– Union County
Erik Hill- Terry Parker
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Runningback
Andre’ Ellis
- Logan Wright- Sandalwood
- Jahquise Russell- St. Augustine
- Keshawn King- Oakleaf
- Jamari Peacock-Yulee
- Cam Wakefield- Lee
Andre’s take..
- Logan Wright– Why he’s number 1… The criticism Logan Wright receives is “he has gaping holes to run through from his big offensive line”. Yet after rushing for at least 200 yards in each of his contests this year, Wright can find solace in knowing that many criticized Hall of Fame Runningback Emmitt Smith for the luxury of his O-line throughout his playing career as well. All Smith did was become the all time leading rusher in Florida High School Football history and NFL history. All Wright has done so far this year is lead the area in rushing through six games with over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Don’t listen to the critics..
- Jahquise Russell– Why he’s number 2… His body of work says it all. In 2015, Russell rushed 147 times for 1,101 yards, 13 touchdowns and a 7.5 yards per carry average. That’s a mind blowing stat, seeing that Russell only averaged 14 carries a game last year and this year is averaging even less at about 12 carries a game. At 6 ft 1 inches, 220lbs, Russell is a man.
- Keshawn King- Why he’s number 3… This young man has bust on the scene in the last two games and captured the attention of everyone. Is it to early to have this sophomore on the list this year? I think not! He’s rushed for 800 yards in five games. A staggering 11.7 yards per carry! He’s scored 8 touchdowns in the last two games, including a school record 325 rushing yards versus Fleming Island September 30th.
- Jamari Peacock- Why he’s number 4…. You don’t rush for 956 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games by coincidence. Jamari is good.. real good! He’s surprisingly very durable even though he’s smaller than Russell, Wright, and shorter than King. He is able to carry a heavy work load for Yulee as the offense is centered around him. Defenses know its going to him and he’s still running wild in 2016!
- Cam Wakefield- Why he’s # 5… Any player in this city will tell you that I am a big fan and supporter of our local athletes. But I’ve got to be honest, I absolutely love this guy! He is the most explosive running back I’ve seen this year. He can go from 0 to 100 real quick! He’s the smallest of my top 5 and maybe that’s why I like him so much. He’s undersized but not underestimated. He is lightning in a bottle who’s game speed is much faster than his track speed. Just ask Raines when he outran their entire defense for a 99 yard touchdown run this year.
Corey Davis
- Logan Wright- Sandalwood
- Jamari Peacock- Yulee
- Jahquise Russell- St. Augustine
- Colin Wilson- Clay
- Charles Strong – Union Co
Corey’s Take..
- Logan Wright – (Sr., Sandalwood) All he does is run for over 200 a game, that’s why he leads the area with 1,043 yards and 15 touchdowns.
- Jamari Peacock -(Sr., Yulee) No. 2 in the area with 956 yards and 14 touchdowns, no doubt makes my list.
- Jahquise Russell -(Sr., St. Augustine) Don’t judge him on his stats alone with just 560 yards and 7 touchdowns, realize this with several running clocks he is usually out of the game by halftime. He played one quarter last week against Englewood.
- Colin Wilson- (Sr., Clay) When Wilson is healthy he is clearly one of the top backs in the area, yet with only 335 yards and 3 touchdowns you wouldn’t know it. He has missed the last three games with another injury. Come playoff time though, Wilson will be back fully and leading the Devils to another long playoff run.
- Charles Strong -(Sr., Union County) The FSU commit is running with a purpose and ran for a career high 315 yards on 37 carries against Hawthorne Thursday night. Strong sits at 773 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season for the Tigers.
Runningback Honorable Mentions:
Kamario Bell– Columbia
Isaiah Miller– Baldwin
Rasheed Martin– Trinity
Amari Terry– Bolles
Armani Scott -Hilliard
Join the discussion! What do you think about our top 5 Quarterbacks and Runningbacks through the first half of the season? Post a comment below through facebook and let us know who your top 5 would be!
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