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
QB – Jordan Johnson (Sr., Oakleaf)
Stats: 128 of 203 for 1,813 yards, 18 TD, 7 INT
QB – Caleb Eason (Jr., Clay)
Stats: 76 of 113 for 1,141 yards, 12 TD, 5 INT
RB – Isaac Ricks (Sr., Parker)
Stats: 82 carries for 964 yards, 7 TD
RB -Josh Haygood (Jr., Baker County)
Stats: 90 carries for 707 yards, 8 TD
RB – Robert Lowder (Sr., Middleburg)
Stats: 920 yards and 10 touchdowns
WR – Jai Williams (Jr., Parker)
Stats: 43 catches for 643 yards, 5 TD, 15.0 YPC
WR – Michael McCray (Jr., Ribault)
Stats: 25 catches for 601 yards, 6 TD, 24.0 ypc
WR – Devon Moody (Sr., Ed White)
Stats: 27 catches for 666 yards, 6 TD, 24.7 YPC
OL – Eric Rand (Sr., Oakleaf)
Stats: Right guard protected Johnson and opened holes for King
OL – Terrance Lovett (Sr., St. Augustine)
Stats: Left tackle who helped Jackets offense account for over 4000 yards
OL – Connor Jernigan (Sr., Oakleaf)
Stats: Left guard protected Johnson and opened holes for King
OL – Michael Boatman (Sr., St. Augustine)
Stats: Right tackle who helped Jackets offense account for over 4000 yards
OL – Cooper Hodges (Jr., Baker County)
Stats: Multi purpose lineman helped spring Wildcats lethal offense
ATH – Darian Oxendine (So., Menendez)
Stats: 35 of 82 for 730 yards, 5 TD, 176 carries for 818 yards, 8 TD, 1564 AP yards, 13 TD
ATH – Leighton Alley (Sr., Nease)
Stats: 148 of 238 for 1754 yards/13 TD, 58 carries for 265 yards/4 TD, 1 catch for 7 yards/1 TD, 2026 AP yards/18 TD
ATH – Daequantae Showers (Sr., Mandarin)
Stats: 811 A.P. yards, 8 TD
K – Austin Galbraith (Sr., Bartram Trail)
Stats: 29 of 32 PAT, 8 of 11 FG, 34 long
