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.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB – Derrick Jones (Jr., Lee)
Stats: 156 for 274 for 2,296 yards, 23 TD, 11 INT, 168 carries for 1098 yards, 20 TD
QB – Nick Tronti (Sr., Ponte Vedra)
Stats: 217 of 325 for 3,328 yards, 34 TD/4 INT, 115 carries for 678 yards, 19 TD, 41.1 punting average, 56 long
RB – Logan Wright (Sr., Sandalwood)
Stats: 256 carries for 2,061 yards, 25 TD
RB – Colin Wilson (Sr., Clay)
Stats: 192 carries for 1,466 yards, 21 TD, 7 catches for 151 yards, 2 TD
RB – Jamari Peacock (Sr., Yulee)
Stats: 226 carries for 1,669 yards, 29 TD
WR – Emerson Kabus (Sr., St. Augustine)
Stats: 57 catches for 1,020 yards, 11 TD
WR – Marshall Few (Sr., Ponte Vedra)
Stats: 65 catches for 1,171 yards, 11 TD, 18.0 YPC
WR – Ajay Belanger (Jr., Clay)
Stats: 41 catches for 771 yards, 11 TD, 18.8 YPC
OL – Demetrius Harris (Sr., Lee)
Stats: Huge reason for Generals run to state semi-finals and pass protection for Derrick Jones
OL – Jarrod Leeds (Sr., Clay)
Stats: Lead blocker for Devils team that rushed for 3,280 yards and nearly 2,000 passing.
OL – Cordavien Suggs (Sr., Fletcher)
Stats: Miss State commit dominated the line of scrimmage paving way for Senators
OL – Max Moore (Sr., Clay)
Stats: Next to Leeds, the most consistent lineman on team paved way for Devil offense
OL – Sincere David (Sr., Sandalwood)
Stats: Saints best blocker who created holes for Wright and his 2,000 yard effort
ATH – Cam Wakefield (Sr., Lee)
Stats: 125 carries for 1013 yards, 12 TD, 37 catches for 565 yards, 4 TD, 18 total TD, 4 touchdown returns on special teams
ATH – Jaylan Jenkins (Sr., Clay)
Stats: 55 of 115 for 846 yards, 9 TD, 4 INT, 95 carries for 500 yards, 3 TD, 26 catches for 392 yards, 3 TD, 1162 A.P. yards, 15 TD
ATH – Joey Gatewood (Jr., Bartram Trail)
Stats: 59 of 87 for 716 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 93 carries for 753 yards, 11 TD, Receiving 25 catches for 315 yards, 6 TD, 12.6 YPC
K – Chris Howard (Sr., Ponte Vedra)
Stats: 64 of 69 PAT, 14 of 19 FG, 48 long
