Judging by the results on the field the first year of the new playoff system went fairly well. As Bolles, Trinity Christian and Ponte Vedra all made the playoffs, with Trinity moving on to the third round of the playoffs.
Bishop Kenny would beg the differ after being left out, but in the old system only two of the four eligible teams would have made the playoffs. The benefit of the new system is every game counts and teams are not eliminated until after the regular season is over.
So what does the district have for an encore? Likely the same thing, all four teams battling it out for the three to four wild card spots in the region creating another exciting and nerve racking season.
Note: Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
Bishop Kenny Crusaders
Coach: Bobby Raulerson
Record: 7-3
Key Players: Tucker Talbott (Sr., QB), Cade Sams (Sr., WR), Jaylon Bass (Sr., RB/SS), Nzuri Charles (Sr., RB/SS), Jordan Ellis (Sr., LB), Curtis Leggett (Sr., OL/DL), Cameron Moewe (Jr., OL/DL), Neil Politano (Jr., OL/DL), Jordan Brown (Jr., RB/DB)
Newcomers: Jonathan Jones (Sr., WR/DB)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Fletcher
Aug 31 Atlantic Coast
Sept 7 Nease
Sept 14 at Parker *
Sept 21 OPEN
Sept 28 Ponte Vedra *
Oct 5 at Yulee
Oct 12 at Bolles *
Oct 19 Westside *
Oct 26 Trinity *
Nov 2 at Episcopal
Outlook: Raulerson’s goal doesn’t change despite the loss of 26 seniors, he’s trying to build a next man up mentality and philosophy. Talbott is one of the three offensive starters back for the Crusaders and will look to assure the leadership role. Look for Brown and newcomer Jones from Atlantic Coast as offensive playmakers to keep an eye on. The Crusaders aren’t deep at both lines of scrimmage according to Raulerson so staying healthy is a must. If one thing taught us about last season its that the rivalry with arch-rival Bolles is back and still passionate with the last second devastating loss to the Bulldogs. The Crusaders came so close to making the postseason last year, winning games against Bolles or Trinity would go along way to helping them secure a spot.
Bolles Bulldogs
Coach: Wayne Belger
Record: 8-3
Key Players: Bryson Kirksey (Sr., WR/DB), Cooper Sullivan (Sr., RB), Jayden McCloud (Sr., RB), Wale Onasanya (Sr., RB), Chris Sanders (Sr., WR), Kyle Coffindafer (Sr., LB), CJ Grimes (Sr., DB), Pearson Toomey (Sr., OL), KJ Fagan (Sr., DB), Ben Netting (Jr., QB)
Newcomers: Michael Jubran (Sr., DL), Jack Brady (Sr., K), Kenny Samuels (Jr., RB)
Schedule
Aug 24 at University Christian
Aug 31 New Hampstead, GA
Sept 7 at Rockledge
Sept 14 Trinity *
Sept 21 OPEN
Sept 28 at Westside *
Oct 5 Ridge Community
Oct 12 Bishop Kenny *
Oct 19 Parker *
Oct 26 at Ponte Vedra *
Nov 2 at Columbia
Outlook: To say last year was a blur would be an understatement, as legendary coach Corky Rogers retired and longtime assistant coach Wayne Belger was given the keys to the program. The change was anything but smooth as the Bulldogs struggled and suffered their first, first round loss since a 1989 loss to Williston ending a 26 consecutive playoff streak of at least one first round win. Part of that was a young team growing up, a year older now the Bulldogs should be back with the return of four offensive starters and five defensive starters. As of fall practice, Bolles wasn’t sure who the starter was going to be but all signs point to Netting possibly getting the nod. Whomever wins the job with have plenty of weapons including the entire backfield featuring McCloud, Onasanya and Sullivan as well as fast athletic receivers Sanders and Kirksey. The defense is stacked as well with the return of Coffindafer, Kirksey and Fagan and should again be solid.
Ponte Vedra Sharks
Coach: Matt Toblin
Record: 7-4
Key Players: Jack Murrah (Sr., QB), Kyle Barker (Sr., WR), Jacobi Myers (So., ATH), Caden Fordham (So., QB/DB), Mark Cavin (Sr., RB), Cole McCormick (Sr., LB), Pete Merlini (Sr., DL)
Newcomers: None
Schedule
Aug 24 at Nease
Aug 31 Palatka
Sept 7 at St. Augustine
Sept 14 Westside
Sept 21 Menendez
Sept 28 at Bishop Kenny *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 12 at Parker *
Oct 19 Trinity *
Oct 26 Bolles *
Nov 2 Creekside
Outlook: Two years removed a magical state runnerup finish, the Sharks had to rebuild a bit after a heavy graduation loss. The move into the district with powers Bolles, Trinity and Bishop Kenny along with upcoming Westside and Parker programs was difficult one but the Sharks stood their ground, knocking off Bolles to make others take notice. With a veteran group of starters back and several young guys ready to step up and assume their roles, the Sharks are poised for another breakout year. Six starters return on both sides of the ball including Murray (1,296 yards), who is back to direct the offense and will have Barker, Calvin and Myers to help exploit defenses.
Terry Parker Braves
Coach: Char-ron Dorsey
Record: 2-8
Key Players: Tyrone Williams (Jr., ATH), Will Wyche (Jr., QB), Joe Brown (Sr., DB), Ahmad Moody (Sr., ATH), Jose Candelario (Sr., RB), Dante Lawrence (Sr., OL/DL),
Newcomers: DJ Thompson (Jr., RB), Josh Jones (Sr., ATH), Larry Smith (So., DB), Chris’tal Smith (So., FB/LB)
Schedule
Aug 24 at First Coast
Aug 31 at Fletcher
Sept 7 at Trinity *
Sept 14 Bishop Kenny *
Sept 21 OPEN
Sept 28 Wolfson
Oct 5 Jackson
Oct 12 Ponte Vedra *
Oct 19 at Bolles *
Oct 25 at Westside *
Nov 2 at Fort White
Outlook: Charon Dorsey and defensive coordinator Mike Holloway take over a program in shambles, that hasn’t been relevant in over 20 years. Taking over a program and turning it around into an instant success is nothing new for the duo, who quickly turned Matthew Gilbert Middle into a city power winning multiple city titles to go along with a 71 game winning streak. Both can do the same thing at Parker if given the time. That starts with molding the talent they inherited along with their former Gilbert players coming over. Among those are newcomers Josh Jones, Larry Smith, Tyrone Williams and Chris’tal Smith, who hope to bring that winning attitude and swagger back to Arlington. The Braves return four offensive starters and five defensive starters are looking for big things from Wyche, Moody and newcomer DJ Thompson, a transfer from Suwannee.
Trinity Christian Conquerors
Coach: Verlon Dorminey
Record: 10-3
Key Players: Isaiah Washington (Sr., WR), Marcus Crowley (Sr., RB/LB), Fred Davis (Jr., DB/WR), Dominique Killens (Sr., LB), Stephen Williams (Sr., DB), Miles Brooks (Jr., DB/WR), CJ Lockett (Sr., LB/TE), Andrew Brown (Sr., LB)
Newcomers: Jacory Jordan (So., QB), Sabion Wade (Jr.,DB), CJ Ross (So., DB), Kaleb Killian (So., RB/DB), Lucius Lattimore (So., LB)
Schedule
Aug 24 Braden River
Aug 31 Ribault
Sept 7 Parker *
Sept 14 at Bolles *
Sept 21 at Palm Beach Lakes
Sept 28 Columbia
Oct 4 at Oakleaf
Oct 12 Westside *
Oct 19 at Ponte Vedra
Oct 26 at Bishop Kenny
Nov 2 OPEN
Outlook: A bizarre thing happened last season, for the first time in five years, Trinity was no where to be found at Camping World Stadium. The Conquerors quest for a state title record five peat was derailed as the Conquerors were eliminated in the Elite 8 by newcomer West Florida. That should serve as plenty of motivation this season to get back to Orlando and win their fifth title in six years. The loss of numerous starters to transfer has affected depth and made it necessary for young players to step up earlier than expected. Starter Andrew Thomas, a Miami commit, decided to concentrate on baseball fulltime after suffering an injury last season, giving the offense to Jordon. Jordon has looked impressive so far in the spring and fall scrimmages most recently last weekend against Sandalwood. Jordan will have a lot weapons to choose from including Crowley (1,210 yards, 12 TDs), Washington (957 yards, 10 TDs on 54 catches) and young guy Kaleb Killian. The defense is going to be stacked once again with the return of playmakers Williams (30 tackles, 8 interceptions), Davis, Brooks, Killens, Lockett and Brown. Look for another lengthy run by the Conquerors that could end up in Orlando.
Westside Wolverines
Coach: Rodney Dubose
Record: 1-8
Key Players: Javon Gannt (Sr., WR), Jalil Jackson (Sr., QB), Kenneth Davis (Sr., WR), Jared Ealy (Jr., RB), Dalton Wilson (Sr., RB), Clarence Conyers (Sr., DB), Angelo Philpot (Jr., DB)
Newcomers: Ditannon Otis (So., QB), Kalhoun Walker (Fr., RB)
Schedule
Aug 23 at White
Aug 31 Lee
Sept 7 Ridgeview
Sept 14 at Ponte Vedra *
Sept 21 OPEN
Sept 28 Bolles *
Oct 5 at Baldwin
Oct 12 at Trinity Catholic
Oct 19 at Bishop Kenny *
Oct 25 at Parker *
Nov 2 at Providence
Outlook: Twenty six seniors graduated from last years team fortunately for Dubose not everyone of those was starters as the Wolverines return six guys on offense and four on defense. Speaking of the defense, that unit needs a face lift badly after giving up 363 points last season, for the Wolverines to have any kind of success they must figure out how to stop all the high powered offenses as the season will come down to how well they play. Offensively, the Wolverines return Jackson, Davis, Wilson and towering Gannt, a Central Michigan commit. The Wolverines have an abundance of skill players with blazing speed but that wont mean anything if the offensive line doesn’t do their job. The talent is there, its time to take that next step and become a winning program. At the start of the fall practice, Dubose hadn’t decided on whether Jackson or Otis would be starting. At 6-4 Gannt towers over the majority of defensive backs look for him to have a coming out year statistically.
