A run to the state semifinals and knowing they were just four quarters away from playing for a state title should serves as plenty of motivation for the Bradford Tornadoes this season. They are also out to prove last season was a fluke as well and not just be one hit wonders.
Keystone Heights snuck in the playoffs last season before losing to Bradford in the first round of the playoffs, the Indians would love to get back and avenge the loss and perhaps go further.
For Interlachen, just getting to the playoffs is the ultimate goal, something they haven’t done since 1986, the Rams would like nothing more than to end the long daunting streak.
Bradford Tornadoes
Coach: Brian Tomlinson
Record: 10-2
Key Players: Jeremiah Vaughn (Sr., RB/DB), Pedro Carter (So., ATH), Jacquez Mosley (Sr., DL), James Martin (Sr., ATH), Nathaniel Davis (Jr., WR/DB), Jackson Smith (Jr., QB), Gavin Woods (Jr., OL), Eric Smith (So., RB), Shaytron Cotton (Sr., LB/DE), Isaiah Crum (Jr., ATH)
Newcomers: Adrien Ciena (Sr., QB)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Taylor County
Aug 31 Baldwin
Sept 7 Keystone Heights
Sept 14 Santa Fe
Sept 21 at Fort White
Sept 28 at University Christian
Oct 5 at West Nassau
Oct 12 Cocoa
Oct 19 OPEN
Oct 26 at Hamilton County
Nov 2 Middleburg
Outlook: Bradford took a huge leap forward with a surprising run to the state semifinals, can they sustain that momentum with the loss of several key starters on both sides of the ball. Multi purpose quarterback Zane Barber (83 of 169 for 1,341 yards, 18 TDs, 805 rushing, 9 TDs) is gone as is tailback Tally Chandler (907 yards, 9 TDs) and leading receiver Chris Cummings (714 yards, 13 TDs), but the offense isn’t bare with 5 starters back. Vaughn (975 yards, 11 TDs) is back as the leader of the offense and will share duties with Smith and likely a few others. As of the start of fall practice, the starting quarterback had still not been decided between a three man race of Carter, Smith and Ciena, a transfer from rival Keystone Heights. Look for whomever doesn’t win the job to also play other key roles on offense at other positions, as all are valuable parts of the offense. The defense which lost Taro Ward, Gerald Smith and Daren Mackey, returns six starters including Mosley (83 tackles, 7 tackles for loss) and Davis (103 tackles, 3 INT) and should be nasty once again.
Interlachen Rams
Coach: Matt Yancey
Record: 2-8
Key Players: Uveekie Fields (Sr., RB), Mike Reed (Sr., WR/DB), Carter Kutchko (Sr., QB), Abrie Williams (Jr., WR/DB), Gavin Grayson (Sr., LB), Kentrell Strickland (Jr., DL), TJ Beauford (Sr., DE), Austin Lloyd (Jr., K)
Newcomers: Christian Marshall (So., QB), Camrin Mcmahon (So., WR/DB), Thomas Mack (Jr., WR)
Schedule
Aug 24 Hawthorne
Aug 31 at John Paul II
Sept 7 at Union County
Sept 14 OPEN
Sept 21 at Crescent City *
Sept 28 at Umatilla *
Oct 5 Pierson Taylor *
Oct 12 Villages *
Oct 19 at Wildwood *
Oct 26 Keystone Heights *
Nov 2 PK Yonge
Outlook: Offensive line coach Yancey takes over one of the state’s worst programs seeking its first playoff appearance in 32 years. Just when you think Interlachen is taking a step forward they quickly take a step back like last year. Yancey is trying to change the culture and expectations and eventually end the three decade plus playoff drought dating back to 1986. The pieces are there for a possible playoff run with the return of 7 defensive starters including Reed (123 tackles, 4 INTs), Grayson (73 tackles, 1 INT) and Beauford (52 tackles, 2 sacks). Offensively, the Rams are set with the return of Fields (1,029 yards, 8 TDs on 145 carries), Kutchko (165 of 280 for 2,624 yards, 21 TDs), Reed (29 catches for 535 yards, 18.4 y.p.c., 5 TDs) and Williams (39 catches for 795 yards, 19.9 y.p.c., 7 TDs).
Keystone Heights Indians
Coach: Chuck Dickinson
Record: 4-6
Key Players: Ty Friedlin (Jr., RB/LB), Colton Crane (Sr., ATH), Trey Horton (Sr., RB/DB), Dan Dodd (Sr., DL), Carter Semione (Sr., LB), Josh Hughes (Sr., DL), Joey Baxter (Jr., OL), Chandler Padgett (Sr., DB/WR), Dylan Thompson (Sr., DB/WR), Andrew Cox (Jr., LB/OL)
Newcomers: None
Schedule
Aug 24 at Fernandina Beach
Aug 31 at PK Yonge
Sept 7 at Bradford
Sept 14 Umatilla *
Sept 21 OPEN
Sept 28 Hawthorne
Oct 5 Crescent City *
Oct 12 Wildwood *
Oct 19 at Villages *
Oct 26 at Interlachen *
Nov 2 at Pierson Taylor *
Outlook: Dickinson begins his twentieth season at the helm and is coming off a surprising run to the state playoffs last season. Getting back isn’t out of the question with six starters back on both sides of the ball. With Friedlin (636 yards, 3 TDs) and Crane back, the running game looks to be the focal point of the offense, while finding a new quarterback and working on the timing a big priority also. As of the spring, Dickinson was still trying to figure out who was going to step up and fill the majority of the skill positions. Whomever wins the quarterback position will have the entire offensive line back to work with including Dodd and Baxter. The defense should be better with the return of Hughes (54 tackles), Crane (62 tackles, 1 INT), Cox (57 tackles) and Semione. Avoiding injuries is a must for the Indians to have a chance at a successful season and or playoffs.
