Last year was a historic one for both Raines and West Nassau, the two will look to capitalize on that even more this season.
For Raines winning its second overalls state title its first since 1997, has put the Vikings in the position to become the first are public school team to win back-to-back state title. The Vikings graduated a lot on both sides but have plenty of weapons to get back to Orlando and hoist the trophy again.
For West Nassau a first round win over Marianna ended two lengthy playoff streaks to win its first ever home playoff game and advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1978. Now comes the task to push it even further and aim for the third round and have home field advantage through out the playoffs.
For teams like Jackson, Fernandina Beach and Wolfson nobody expects much from them and with the addition of two more wild card spots in each region, the three will battle for the wild card berths and try to end years of futility.
Note: Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
Andrew Jackson Tigers
Coach: Antione Atwater
Record: 1-9
Key Players: Artis Maddox (Jr., ATH), Jajuan Turner (Jr., QB/DB), Christopher Green (Sr., WR), Rashad Levy (Sr., RB), Ricky Dove (Sr., ATH), Ahmady Levy (Sr., LB), Chris Mangham (Jr., WR/DB), Daquan Sneed ((So., OL/DL), Demarcus Webb (So., OL/DL), Javier Witcher (Sr., OL/DL), Andrew Young (Sr., OL/DL), Gary Wiggins (Jr., QB), Rashad Newsome (Sr., WR), Trae Batie (Sr., DB), Ruben Washington (Sr., WR/SS), Josh Dopson (Sr., OL/DL), Darrien McClendon (Sr,., RB/LB)
Newcomers: Ricky Washington (Jr., WR/DB), Tyrell Ealy (Sr., RB/LB), Willie Mcciver (Jr., TE/DE), Randolph Myers (Jr., WR/SS)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Providence
Aug 31 Englewood
Sept 7 at Hilliard
Sept 14 at First Coast
Sept 21 at Wolfson
Sept 28 OPEN
Oct 5 at Parker
Oct 12 OPEN
Oct 19 Episcopal
Oct 25 West Nassau
Nov 2 Stanton
Outlook: Things are finally starting to lookup for Jackson, as the school went from a F to a B rating and the football team is finally heading in the right direction. Atwater finally has depth for a change as well, as 18 starters are back including nine on both sides of the ball, led by playmakers Turner, Maddox (1,000 passing, 245 receiving, 675 rushing, 7 touchdowns, 3 interceptions on defense) and on defense led by Newsome (74 tackles, 4 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions). The Tigers wont have to solely rely on just Turner and Maddox, as Atwater will also look to Green, Levy, Mangham, Wiggins, McClendon, Washington, Ealy and Myers for help as well. Part of the huge optimism this season aside from depth is an easier schedule, as rival games with Raines and Ribault have been dropped and replaced with winnable games against teams in Class 4A or below as in Englewood, Stanton, Episcopal, Hilliard, Wolfson and Providence. The school made the decision to no longer play teams above them (Class 5A-8A) to try to win and build the program back to what it once was, however First Coast was initially dropped off the schedule and added recently when a replacement games couldn’t be found. With a loaded roster and lots of depth and a much more winnable schedule, look for the Tigers to make some noise this season and possibly sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Fernandina Beach Pirates
Coach: Jude Swearingen
Record: 4-6
Key Players: Chase Boyd (Jr., RB/DB), John Powell (Sr., RB/LB), Latrell Whitehurst (So., RB/DB), Uriah Giedras (Sr., FB/LB), Devin Jennings (Sr., RB/CB), Toraino Nelms (Jr., RB/CB), Robert Johnson (Sr., QB), Charlie Dubose (Sr., WR/LS), Havey Knight (Sr., TE/LB), Kelly Lockett (Jr., DL/OL), Jonathan Beckett (Sr., OL/DL)
Newcomers: Jackson Mock (So., QB/SS/LB), Cam Miller (Fr., WR/DB), Josiah Rauls (Fr., RB/LB)
Schedule
Aug 24 Keystone Heights
Aug 31 at Hilliard
Sept 7 OPEN
Sept 14 Wolfson
Sept 21 Stanton
Sept 28 at Zephyrhills Christian
Oct 5 at Paxon
Oct 12 West Nassau
Oct 19 Satellite
Oct 26 at North Florida Educational
Nov 2 at Yulee
Outlook: It’s been nearly 20 years since Fernandina Beach has been relevant in the area, new coach Swearigen is trying to change that philosophy and mentality. If anybody can do it, it’s Swearigen who has been apart of the program for 17 years. The Pirates came up just short of making their first playoff appearance since 2007, finishing .500 and short of the six teen bracket. The addition of two more wild card spots in each region should give the Pirates of confidence and motivation for this season after coming up short last season. Swearingen is counting on his veterans and several young guys to get the job done and put Fernandina Beach back on the radar and consistently in the playoffs. The transition to being a model program starts with keeping their guys at home, after four players transferred to rival Yulee in the off season. Powell is the guy who looks to be the leader on both sides of the ball after racking up 100 plus tackles last season from his linebacker position.
Raines Vikings
Coach: Deran Wiley
Record: 13-1
Key Players: Matt Drayton (Sr., WR/DB), Brandon Marshall (Sr., RB), Javon Bonsell (Sr., LB), Aric Horne (Sr., LB), Jamond Handy (Sr., WR), Keto Burke (Sr., WR/TE), Janoris Robertson (Sr., DE), Howard Ford (Sr., OL), Bryant Maddox (Sr., OL)
Newcomers: James Tarver (Sr., ATH), Uriah Ratliff (Sr., DB), Daivarus Thomas (Sr., WR), Jaquez Griffin (Sr., DB/WR), Barron Coates (Sr., QB)
Schedule
Aug 24 Lee
Aug 31 at First Coast
Sept 7 at White
Sept 14 at Fletcher
Sept 21 at Mandarin
Sept 28 OPEN
Oct 5 at Sandalwood
Oct 12 Oakleaf
Oct 19 Rickards
Oct 26 at Lincoln
Nov 3 Ribault
Outlook: It took them another 20 years, but Raines finally got the area and themselves a second state title, so what do you do for an encore. A repeat isn’t out of the question, it won’t be easy though. Playmakers Ivory Durham (165 of 243 for 3,002 yards, 35 TDs), George Webb (30 catches for 730 yards, 10 TDs) and Kemare Noble (43 catches for 645 yards, 9 TDs) are all gone on the offense. However, Marshall (1,719 yards and 22 touchdowns on 180 carries) is back as is Drayton, Burke and Handy who all saw significant playing time. The line featuring Ford and Maddox will pave the way for Marshall, who looks to put up similar numbers this year. Coates, a transfer from First Coast, ran the offense in the spring and summer and looks to put his new team back in Orlando competing for its third state title. Ten starters are back including a stingy defense led by Bonsell (72 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 INT), Robertston and Horne. The team took on the motto, “The Clock Boys” and will look to not only continue that style of play putting running clocks on their opponents but keep its 13 game winning streak in tack. No area team outside of Bolles, Trinity or U.C. has ever gone back-to-back, something that should serve as high motivation for this group.
West Nassau Warriors
Coach: Rickey Armstrong
Record: 10-2
Key Players: Jeremy Starling (Sr., DE/TE), Dallas Mumford (Sr., QB), Deebo Coleman (So., FS), Javon Wright (Sr., RB), Davian Williams (Sr., WR/RB), Cameron Atwater (Sr., LB), Centari Mitchell (Jr., RB/DB), Justin Kish (Sr., DE), Damon Harris (Sr., DB), Jabe Hannah (Sr., DL), EJ Smith (Sr., K)
Newcomers: Chaz Davis (So., RB/WR)o, Christian Bailey (So., DB), Devin Law (So., DB/QB), Trey McCullough (So., OL/DL)
Schedule
Aug 24 at North Florida Educational
Aug 31 at Episcopal
Sept 7 at Providence
Sept 14 Hilliard
Sept 21 Yulee
Sept 28 Baldwin
Oct 5 Bradford
Oct 12 at Fernandina Beach
Oct 19 Paxon
Oct 25 at Jackson
Nov 2 OPEN
Outlook: West Nassau took a huge step last year hosting their first playoff game since 1978 and advancing to the second round before bowing out against eventual state champion Raines. Can they sustain the success or will they go back to the team they have been in the past. Armstrong is hoping they continue this path and can even go further this year. That starts with securing the No. 1 overall seed in the region and home field advantage. It won’t be easy though with the loss of Walker Wright (895 passing, 493 rushing, 19 touchdowns), Kyler Crosby (1,356 yards, 16 TDs) and Levi Mumsford (116 tackles, 10 tackles for loss). That doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare as backup Dallas Mumford, Wright and Williams all saw playing time. Starling (81 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INTs), Coleman (66 tackles, INT), Atwater (31 tackles, 2 INTs), Kish (62 tackles, 5 sacks), Mitchell (52 tackles, INT), Harris (33 tackles) and Hannah (33 tackles, 3 sacks) are all back on the defense and should be the focal point of the team and a huge reason why the Warriors will make another serious playoff run.
Wolfson Wolfpack
Coach: Dennis Bettinger
Record: 1-9
Key Players: Jelani Lang (Sr., RB/LB), Kevon Bryant (Sr., QB/DB), Ray Murphy (Jr., LB/RB), Cameron Harris (Sr., DB/WR), Omari Jackson (Sr., DE/WR), Christian Macauley (Jr., DL), Clyde Holland (Jr., ATH), Aron Chum (Sr., WR/DB), Sedrick Waye (Jr., OL/DL), Tavion Ford (So., OL/DL)
Newcomers: Jaleel Armstrong (Fr., QB), Shawn Tunsill (Fr., WR/DB), Joseph Baez (Jr., WR/DB), Wes Allrid (So., K)
Schedule
Aug 24 Stanton
Aug 31 at Paxon
Sept 7 at North Florida Educational
Sept 14 at Fernandina Beach
Sept 21 Jackson
Sept 28 at Parker
Oct 5 at Providence
Oct 12 OPEN
Oct 19 Sandalwood
Oct 25 Episcopal
Nov 2 Englewood
Outlook: What a difference a few short months has made, back in May the Wolfpack dressed only 17 kids in the spring game loss to Stanton and the program looked in serious trouble; however Bettinger was able to add 8 more guys in the off season to bring the roster to 25 as of the start of fall practice. The addition of eight more players is crucial and will provide depth and a breather for the other 17 players. The low numbers means the Wolfpack can’t afford any injuries at all and will also rely on several freshman in many spots on the field. Bryant is back to lead the offense as a second year starter as is Holland, a multi position player who not only plays offense but defense and special teams. Bettinger will try to bring back much needed stability and a winning attitude back to the Wolfpack.
