The race for the District 1-8A title could be a wild one this year as all five could have a say so in the race.
Palm Coast ended Spruce Creek’s reign last season, will their loaded team have the skills again to hold on to the trophy. Spruce Creek held onto the trophy two years ago but must replace several starters and will rely on some newcomers, their reign could be coming to an end.
Will Sandalwood and Mandarin steal the thunder and possibly steal the trophy this year as both are loaded and poised to be huge factors in the race.
Or will it be a surprising Deland, which has been getting a lot of steam in the off season, hoisting the trophy finally.
Deland Bulldogs
Coach: Steve Allen
Record: 2-7
Key Players: Dionte Marks (Sr., WR), Ian Schoenwetter (Jr., LB), Jason Murphy (Sr., OL), AJ Braughton (Sr., DL), Chris Brown (Sr., DB), Leon Rolle (Sr., QB), Zaire Lindsey (Jr., CB)
Newcomers: Demaurez Bellamy (Sr., ATH), Jadyn Nirschl (Jr., QB), Traquan McNair (Sr., DL), Avantae Williams (Jr., DB), Jaden Reeves (Sr., WR), Damien Nelson (Jr., WR)
Schedule
Aug 24 Mainland
Aug 31 at Seminole
Sept 7 at Deltona *
Sept 14 Mandarin *
Sept 21 Pine Ridge
Sept 28 at Spruce Creek *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 11 at Lake Mary
Oct 19 Palm Coast *
Oct 25 at Sandalwood *
Nov 2 Seabreeze
Outlook: For a team coming off a two win season there has been a lot of talk among people in the Daytona area to keep an eye on the Bulldogs this season. Some even went to say they might be the favorite to win the district title this season and rightfully so as Allen returns 13 starters including 8 on defense. Among the many returnees are Marks, a Florida commit, who accounted for 405 yards and six touchdowns last season, as is Murphy on the line and defensive guys Brown, Lindsey, and Braughton. Allen is also excited about the abundance of transfers that came over including Nirschl (Seabreeze), Bellamy (Mainland), McNair (Deltona), Williams (IMG) and Reeves (Pierson Taylor). Deland has suffered through losing seasons four of the last five years and that could be coming to an end this season if things go the Bulldogs way like they plan.
Mandarin Mustangs
Coach: Bobby Ramsay
Record: 2-8
Key Players: Terrell Jennings (Sr., RB), Demario Douglas (Sr., WR/DB), Johnny Reggo III (Sr., LB/SS), Kris Mitchell (Sr., WR), Ernest Ricks (So., DB), Tre Lawrence (So., QB), Kasimir Absolu (Sr., WR/DB), Nijel McGriff (Sr., DL), Parker Merrill (Sr., OL), Nick Harris (Sr., DL), Zack Mills (Sr., DL), Travis Moss (Jr., LB), Christian Warren (Sr., DL)
Newcomers: Darian Oxedine (Sr., WR/CB), Carson Beck (Jr., QB)
Schedule
Aug 23 at Atlantic Coast
Aug 31 Godby
Sept 7 Lee
Sept 14 at Deland *
Sept 21 Raines
Sept 28 OPEN
Oct 5 at Apopka
Oct 12 Sandalwood *
Oct 19 at Spruce Creek *
Oct 25 Palm Coast *
Nov 2 at Fletcher
Outlook: This is the year that Mandarin has building up to, at least it seems on paper it is. A heavy senior class plus some key transfers has put Mandarin back in the conversation for a potential playoff appearance. Ramsay has to be excited about the amount of seniors and starters back with 16 guys back including 9 starters back on offense and 7 on defense. Among the 9 starters back on offense is Jennings (844 yards, 5 TD), Mitchell (289 yards, 4 TD), Absolu (621 yards, 3 TD) and Douglas (270 yards, 6 TD), while the defense returns Moss (59 tackles), Warren, Merrill, Harris, Absolu, Ricks and Rego. The addition of Oxedine, a transfer from Menendez, gives the Mustangs that game changer needed on offense and defense as does the addition of Beck, a junior transfer from Providence who committed to Alabama. Year two under Ramsay should see a significant change one that could possibly land them in the playoffs.
Palm Coast Bulldogs
Coach: Travis Roland
Record: 9-1
Key Players: Dononan Montoyo (Jr., WR/QB), Dennis Shorter (Sr., WR/DB), Ty Jenkins (Jr., RB), Damien Irven (Sr., DB/WR), JT Money Dahlburg (Sr., WR/lB), Anthony Bucannon (Sr., RB/DB), Tyshawn Blount (So., WR), Nelson Paul (Sr., DE), Mark Genis (Sr., RB), Tallin Coates (Sr., LB/DE), Woody Dezius (Sr., DB), Marquise Gilbert (Sr., DB), Verneal Henshaw (Sr., OL)
Newcomers: Tyler Irigoyea (Sr., DE), Devon Conkrite (Sr., OL), Willis Glover (Sr., DL), Seamus Hackett (Sr., DL), Logan Seabug (Sr., OL), Tobin Hackett (Jr., LB), Dylan Gambone (Sr., WR)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Matanzas
Aug 31 New Smyrna Beach
Sept 7 at Seminole
Sept 14 St. Augusitine
Sept 21 at Palatka
Sept 28 Sandalwood *
Oct 5 at Deltona
Oct 12 Spruce Creek *
Oct 19 Deland *
Oct 25 at Mandarin *
Nov 2 OPEN
Outlook: What a year it was for Palm Coast last year after running the table in the regular season to finish its first undefeated regular season in school history. The dream season ended with a first round loss, but that has only fueled this season as the Bulldogs have a lot of momentum and fire coming into this season. Nine defensive starters are back including tackling machine and D-I recruit Paul, who racked up 18 sacks last season. The offense returns 7 starters including Montoyo (7 touchdowns), who split duties last year, along with speed guys Shorter, Irven, Genis (6 touchdowns) and Jenkins. There is no reason to think the Bulldogs won’t be among the several teams fighting for the district title and playoff berths.
Sandalwood Saints
Coach: Adam Geis
Record: 5-5
Key Players: Antonio Clary (Sr., DB), Jeff Sims (Jr., QB), Taylin Nalls (Sr., WR), Javonte Kinsey (Jr., WR), Walter McClinton (Sr., OL), Kobe Barnes (Jr., DL), Adam Burns (Sr., DB), Calvin Sinclair (Jr., DL), Kaloeb Parker (Jr., DL), Brandon Jennings (So., LB), Clarence Perrier (Sr., DL), Jered Geis (Sr., WR)
Newcomers: Jahlon Wilson (Sr., DB/WR), Kyjuan Herndon (Jr., RB), Kamari Stevens (Sr., OL/DL), Dylan Pate (Sr., ATH), Kingsley Equakun (Sr., OL), Nathan Brady (Sr., OL), Jahquez Robinson (Jr., DB), Matthew Rivera (Jr., WR), Jeremiah Huntley (Fr., ATH)
Schedule
Aug 23 at Ribault
Aug 31 Fleming Island
Sept 7 at Leon
Sept 14 at Spruce Creek *
Sept 21 OPEN
Sept 28 at Palm Coast *
Oct 5 Raines
Oct 12 at Mandarin *
Oct 19 at Wolfson
Oct 25 Deland *
Nov 2 Atlantic Coast
Outlook: If Geis wasn’t already excited about the upcoming season with 16 starters returning, the addition of eight transfers only solidifies an already potent lineup even more. Nine starters return on both sides of the ball including Sims, Nalls, Kinsey, Geis and Parker on offense and Burns, Perrier, Sinclair and Clary, a Virginia commit, on defense. The addition of Herndon (Trinity), Pate (Trinity), Equakun (Atlantic Coast), Brady (Atlantic Coast), Rivera (Parker) and Stevens will bolster an already loaded offense even more, as will Robinson (Trinity) and Wilson (Trinity) on defense. Newcomer Huntley will be a a huge playmaker and a good go to guy to give Herndon a breather. With such high expectations now how will the Saints handle the pressure, will they fold or will they prove people wrong and make a serious playoff run.
Spruce Creek Hawks
Coach: Andy Price
Record: 8-2
Key Players: Dee Shari Keith (Sr., DB/LB), Travon Killins (Sr., DB), Terrance McMillon (Sr., RB/DB), Hayden Flood (Sr., WR), Nick Passamonte (Sr., SS/LB)
Newcomers: Marvin Scott (Jr., RB), Andrew Acebal (So., QB), Nick Christano (Jr., QB)
Schedule
Aug 24 at Seabreeze
Aug 31 at Deltona
Sept 7 at Matanzas
Sept 14 Sandalwood *
Sept 21 Lake Wales
Sept 28 Deland *
Oct 5 OPEN
Oct 12 at Palm Coast *
Oct 19 Mandarin *
Oct 26 University
Nov 2 New Smyrna Beach
Outlook: You would think the defending district champs would be the overwhelming favorite to repeat as champions again, but nobody is talking about them. The Hawks are coming off back-to-back district titles and playoff appearances but are not on the radar this season. Part of that reason is the loss of three year starter Kyle Minckler, who accounted for 2,037 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. An offense which put up 40 points last year will take a huge hit with the graduation loss of Minckler. The defense shifts to a 3-3-5 to take advantage of its solid secondary featuring Keith, Killins and McMillon; while the offense will still be in the spread and be led by Scott (4,000 career yards) and Flood (leading receiver in Volusia area). Scott transferred from Warner Christian and has been a three year starter in the backfield and will be counted on heavily. Who will get them both the ball remains to be seen as their was a battle still between both Acebal and Christano for the quarterback position.
