As the season begins in a week the road to Orlando is a curvy and windy road full of unknown paths and trails. Among those paths is the battle for the district title, specifically the District 5-5A title.
The inaugural playoff system did what it was set up to do, by selecting Baker County, Clay and Menendez last season. Menendez won its first ever playoff game in school history before falling to Baker County in round two, Clay went three rounds deep before falling to nemesis Baker County and Baker County rode the No. 2 seed all the way to the state finals.
Don’t be surprised to see a fourth team join them this year, Ridgeview. The Panthers are loaded and will contend for either the district title or one of the wild card berths.
Meanwhile both Orange Park and Palatka are still trying to find their identities and in the rebuilding phase but expect big things from them perhaps next year or in two years.
Baker County Wildcats
Coach: Jamie Rodgers
Record: 13-2
Key Players: John Green (Sr., ATH), Kelton Knabb (Sr., LB/FB), Tyler Burnsed (Sr., OL/DL), Chase Hancock (Sr., TE), Kayden Hill (Jr., DE), Matthew McDuffie (Sr., OL), Myles Morrison (Sr., OL), Chris Smith (Sr., DB), Khristian Hill (Jr., DL)
Newcomers: Alex Bowen (Jr., QB), Scooby Graham (So., RB/DB), Maurice Moore (Jr., WR/DB), Will Keineth (Sr., WR)
Outlook: Baker County learned the road to success and the agony of defeat on the same day, as for the first time ever the Wildcats finally advanced past the second round of the playoffs on their way to the state championship. After getting a taste of it, now the goal becomes sustaining that success and getting back to Orlando. That starts with replacing 26 seniors and an unbelievable senior class. However, Rodgers still has plenty to build on both sides of the ball. Yulee transfers Alex Bowen and Maurice Moore will help provide depth and experienced skill players to go along with the versatile playmaker Green and newcomer Graham and beastmode tight end Hancock. Bowen will also have two key lineman back to protect him in McDuffie and Morrison. The defense took some hits but does return physical hitters Knabb and Burnsed, a Troy commit along with brothers Kayden and Khristian Hill.
Clay Blue Devils
Coach: Josh Hoekstra
Record: 9-4
Key Players: Cedric Brown (Sr., RB), Spencer Lesage (Sr., ATH), Christian Sweat (Sr., WR), Jordon Collins (Sr., OL), Cody Devore (Sr., LB), Turner Erstad (Sr., QB/SS), Ricky Bernabeu (Sr., FB), Mike Carns (Sr., OL), Kenny Johnson (Sr., DE), Mason Adams (Sr., LB), Derek Holt (Jr., WR/DB), Mason Dixon (Sr., DB)
Newcomers: TK Kocak (So., QB), William Kendrick (So., RB), Dylan Taylor (Sr., DB), Tucker Reape (Jr., K/P), Dallano Brown (Jr., RB), Ty Summerford (Jr., DL), Al’querious Ray (Fr., RB)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Fleming Island
Aug 31 Middleburg
Sept 7 Bartram Trail
Sept 14 Orange Park *
Sept 21 at Oakleaf
Sept 28 at Menendez *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 12 Ridgeview *
Oct 19 at Baker County *
Oct 26 at Palatka *
Nov 2 University Christian
Outlook: Like all great programs, Clay doesn’t dwell on those that have moved on but focuses on the next man up philosophy. Which is important because the Blue Devils are having to replace a ton of graduated seniors from last years deep playoff run. Hoesktra knows for another deep run someone else must step up and assume the vacant roles for them to be successful. As of the first day of practice, the quarterback race was still a three man battle between Lesage, Erstad and Kocak. Whomever wins the job will have a mix of veterans and young guys to jell with. Cedric Brown (550 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Lesage (667 yards, 8 touchdowns) both return as leaders of the offense at tailback and receiver and will benefit from the return of lineman Carns and Collins. Concerns are not usually with the offense which has been known to put up 40 points per game at times, its the defense which couldn’t stop opponents and forced the offense into track meets with its opponents just to keep up. Devore, Adams and two way standout Holt return on a defense that is also relying on several unproven players and newcomers to the season. Hoekstra had guided the Blue Devils to five straight playoff appearances and there is no reason to believe the streak shouldn’t extend to six straight. A lengthy run will be determined by the young guys on offense and if the defense can stop anybody.
Orange Park Raiders
Coach: Tom McPherson
Record: 1-9
Key Players: Kendy Charles (Jr., DE), Zykeim Sermons (Sr., ATH), Alex Collier (Jr., RB), Deonte Domineck (Jr., LB/RB), Ben Elliot (Sr., DE), David Frederick (Sr., WR/QB), Terrance Johnson (Sr., WR/QB), Silas Little (Sr., OL), Robbie Reynolds (Sr., SS), James Rhodes (Sr., OL)
Newcomers: Arlo Wilson (Jr., RB/SS), Vincent Waker (Jr., QB/FS)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Oakleaf
Aug 31 Nease
Sept 7 Atlantic Coast
Sept 14 at Clay *
Sept 21 at Middleburg
Sept 28 Ridgeview *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 12 at Baker County *
Oct 19 Palatka *
Oct 26 at Menendez *
Nov 2 Fleming Island
Outlook: They say a team makes its best transition in year three of the coaching change, McPherson is hoping that’s the case too. With 16 starters back including nine on offense and seven on defense, the Raiders should show some huge signs of improvement. Among those back on offense are Johnson, who may play either quarterback or receiver, Sermons and Collier two blazing speed backs and a host of receivers. McPherson is counting on Rhodes and Little to provide the holes and protection from his unnamed quarterback as well. Defensively, the Raiders should be much improved with the return of Charles and Reynolds, both will be needed to help repair a defense which surrendered 391 points.
Palatka Panthers
Coach: Willie Fells
Record: 2-8
Key Players: Trevon Williams (Sr., WR), Mitchell McKinnon (Sr., QB), Jacob Burney (Sr., OL), Darrell Polite Jr. (So., RB), Deszmon Dallas (Sr., CB), Tevel Adams (Sr., LB), K’Darius Poole (Jr., SS), Ke’Shawn Hughes (Jr., RB/SS), Clay Sipprell (Sr., OL)
Newcomers: Demontae Ashley (Jr., QB/CB), Isaiah Dixon (So,., FB/LB), Shemar Curry (So., DB), Abrie Williams (Jr., WR/SS), Delton Nealy (So., WR), Jamonteis Jones (So., DB)
Schedule
Aug 24 Yulee
Aug 31 at Ponte Vedra
Sept 7 Belleview
Sept 14 at Ridgeview *
Sept 21 Palm Coast
Sept 28 Baker County *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 12 at Menendez *
Oct 19 at Orange Park *
Oct 26 Clay *
Nov 2 St. Augustine
Outlook: Hard to believe right now but at one time, the Pit was one of the most feared places to play for 20 years. New coach Willie Fells is trying to change that philosophy and mindset again. Palatka has fallen on hard time over the last ten years, part of the reason they can’t keep a coach either. Fells, who graduated from Palatka in 1995, is not only trying to bring stability to the program but that winning tradition again. He knows about those nights in the Pit, where visiting teams didn’t come out of it with a win much. Over the last ten years or so, the program went from the team you avoid on homecoming to the team you schedule for homecoming. That starts with building back up the roster which he has done from 27 to 65 players. With only three starters back it will be tough to make an impact in year one with only Trevon Williams, Sipprell and Burney back. McKinnon assumes the role of quarterback and will benefit from the transfer of receiver and athlete Abrie Williams (775 yards, 7 touchdowns, 19.9 y.p.c. on 39 catches), a proven go-to-guy from nearby Interlachen. The defense took a hit as well but will look to Hughes, Dallas and Adams and others to help try to shut down other spread offenses.
Pedro Menendez Falcons
Coach: Kyle Skipper
Record: 8-4
Key Players: Kenny Logan (Sr., ATH), Tre Edwards (Sr., RB/LB), Tre Evans (Jr., DB/WR), Izez Hayward (Sr., LB/RB), Ryan Schiavone (Jr., TE/DE), Max Davis (Sr., FS)
Newcomers: Duane Graham (So., WR/QB), Aaron Wynn (Fr., RB/WR), King Benford (Fr., QB), Moses King (Sr., DL), Terrell Newsome (Fr., DB)
Schedule
Aug 24 Middleburg
Aug 31 at St. Augustine
Sept 7 Yulee
Sept 14 at Baker County *
Sept 21 at Ponte Vedra
Sept 28 Clay *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 12 Palatka *
Oct 19 at Ridgeview *
Oct 26 Orange Park *
Nov 2 at Matanzas
Outlook: Menendez made huge strides winning their first ever playoff game and advancing to the second round for the first time in school history. Now comes the task of keep that momentum going from here on out and establishing the high expectations of practicing on Thanksgiving Day every year. Skipper, the former offensive coordinator, takes over the program heading in the right direction. Nothing changes as the expectations have become playoffs or bust. Two way standouts Logan (637 rushing, 478 receiving, 1391 all-purpose yards, 12 touchdowns) and Edwards (767 rushing, 10 touchdowns, 52 tackles, 6 sacks) are back to lead both sides of the ball. The Laurel and Hardy comedy act hopes to catch opposing defenses guessing and opposing offenses frustrated. King takes over the quarterback role after having played sparingly last season. Skipper was excited about several young guys fighting for time include the explosive Wynn as well as shut down corner Evans.
Ridgeview Panthers
Coach: Cameron Porch
Record: 6-4
Key Players: Tyler Huff (Sr., QB), Jaiden Turner (Sr., RB/SS), Caleb Plyler (Sr., RB), Denali Lindo (Sr., WR/DB), Brian Jackson (Sr., WR), Austin Childers (Sr., LB), Dominic Stanfield (Sr., LB)
Newcomers: Rolando Grey (Jr., RB), Isaac Chaffin (Jr., WR), Spencer Calise (So., WR), Hartson Gelinas (Sr., WR)
Schedule
Aug 24 Nature Coast
Aug 31 at Creekside
Sept 7 at Westside
Sept 14 Palatka *
Sept 21 at Fleming Island
Sept 28 at Orange Park *
Oct 5 Middleburg
Oct 12 at Clay *
Oct 19 Menendez *
Oct 26 Baker County *
Nov 2 OPEN
Outlook: It’s been quite a transformation for Ridgeview, from 0-10 two years ago to a unbelievable 6-4 turn around last season. Porch isn’t done either; with nine starters back on offense, the Panthers are thinking playoffs, something that hasn’t been accomplished since 2012. Porch and his staff opened up the offense scoring 35 points or more six of the ten games. Huff (102 of 187 for 1,623 yards, 21 TD, 4 INT), Turner (305 rushing, 2 TD), Plyler (381 rushing, 5 TDs), Lindo (427 receiving, 5 TDs), Jackson (228 receiving, 4 TDs) are all back along with newcomers Grey, Chaffin, Calise and Gelinas. The problem is their offense was no where to be found against playoff teams Fleming Island, Clay, Menendez and Baker County combining for 83 points in those games. The defense returns six starters including Childers (58 tackles, 1 sack), Stanfield (49 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6 sacks) and Turner (2 interceptions). Don’t be surprised if the Panthers break through the barrier and sneak into the playoffs this season.
