To say 2016 was a banner year for high school football, is an understatement. A record four area teams made it to Orlando and two brought home state titles.
Trinity Christian won its fourth state title in a row and University Christian won its second in a row (9th overall), while Bolles finished as state runner-up again.
But it was blue collar lunch pail team from Ponte Vedra that shocked many by winning 14 in a row before stumbling in the Class 5A state title game.
Lee brought alumni back and had the whole city supporting its run to the state semi-finals and sent a message to everyone too, “WERE BACK”.
These are just some of the stories of the past football season along with the stories comes great players too.
Here is the inaugural Duval Sports All-Area football team.
Third team Defense
LB – Johnny Amell (Jr., Bartram Trail)
Stats: 101 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 1 fumble recovery
LB – Jack Surgeoner (Jr., Fleming Island)
Stats: 72 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1 sack
LB – Wil Newman (Sr., Bartram Trail )
Stats: 82 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 pass deflections
LB – Seth Bradshaw (Sr., Menendez)
Stats: 81 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 caused fumble
DL – Keshawn Bennett (Sr., Fletcher
Stats: 64 tackles, 6 sacks
DL – Norman Andara (Sr., Orange Park)
Stats: 45 tackles, 10 sacks, 6 tackles for loss
DL – Parker Devine (Jr., Bartram Trail)
Stats: 45 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble
DL – Erik Sumter (Sr., Lee)
Stats: 30 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
DB – Tristan Brown (Jr., Oakleaf)
Stats: 3 INT, 51 tackles
DB – Braeden Sanders (Jr., Baker County
Stats: 3 INT (2 TD), 51 tackles
DB – Quaran Hafiz (Sr., Sandalwood)
Stats: 3 INT (1 TD)
DB – Chandler Harvin (Sr., Bartram Trail)
Stats: 3 INT (1 TD)
ATH -KB Ashe (Sr., Fleming Island)
Stats: 5 INT, 9 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 45 tackles, 4 tackles for loss
P – James Schaefer (So., Fletcher)
Stats: 31 punts, 43.6 average, 50 long, 4 of 6 FG
