The season is finally upon us as we kick off the 2018 season with five local games tonight, including two games with ranked teams. Top ranked Columbia travels to Gainesville, while No. 10 Sandalwood travels to Ribault. Other games tonight include Parker at First Coast, Westside at Ed White and Mandarin at Atlantic Coast.
Big games tomorrow are Braden River at No. 2 Trinity, No. 3 Lee at No. 4 Raines, No. 5 St. Augustine at No. 6 Baker County, Brunswick at No. 7 Bartram Trail, No. 8 Bolles at University Christian and Clay at No. 9 Fleming Island.
Without further ado, here is our first Week 1 Top Ten rankings.
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
1 Columbia Tigers
Coach: Brian Allen
Record: 7-4
Key Players: TJ Jones (Sr., WR), Jordan Smith (Jr., QB), Marquez Bell (Jr., WR), Ethan Ulmstead (Sr., LB), Kylen Callum (Jr., RB), Sir Rollins Talbott (Sr., DB), Jaylen Brown (Sr., LB), Damien Lewis (Sr., OL), Ahmad Williams (Sr., DB), Zachary Bedenbaugh (Sr., OL), Brandon Scott (Sr., DB), Derek Johnson (Jr., CB), Devin Johnson (Jr., CB), Gilshard Newkirk (Sr., DL), Marlon Pollock (Jr., LB), Garrett Fennell (Jr., K/P), Aidan Jolliffe (So., K), Willie Jernigan (Sr., DL)
Newcomers: Levontae Camiel (So., SS/LB), Jaden Williams (So., WR), Bobby Fulton (Sr., WR), Caleb Dixon (So., RB)
Outlook: As if they needed an even bigger target on their back, traveling to No. 1 nationally ranked IMG last week and pulling off the upset, has made the whole state and nation aware of the Tigers. How will they handle the pressure now and high expectations the rest of the season. The Tigers are loaded on both sides of the ball with five starters back on offense and eight on defense. Smith (43 of 94 for 650 yards, 8 TD, 5 INT), who shared time with Dylan Blair last season, is back and will be the No. 1 guy after Blair transferred to nearby Fort White. Smith will have both Jones (31 catches for 738 yards, 23.8 y.p.c., 6 TD) and Bell (32 catches for 762 yards, 23.8 y.p.c., 7 TD) back along with newcomers Williams and Fulton, who both played sparingly last year. Callum (335 yards, 5 TD on 60 carries) is back and will lead the running game along with Cray, to form a dynamic speed duo. The Tigers are blessed to have two special team weapons in Fennell (19/19 PAT, 1/2 FG) and Jelliffe (26/26 PAT, 3/3 FG), both give the Tigers a leg up on the competition. The defense, which surrendered just 282 points, returns Ulmstead (114 tackles, 2 sacks), Talbott (44 tackles, 3 INT), Scott (34 tackles) and Pollock (34 tackles) and will be a force for opposing offenses. A first round loss to nemesis Lincoln last season has fueled the Tigers all off season and has them focused on a long playoff run this season one that could possibly end up in Orlando.
This week: at Gainesville (Thursday)
2 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)
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.
This week: Braden River (Friday)
3 Lee Generals
Coach: OJ Small
Record: 9-2
Key Players: Jurial Caldwell (Sr., WR), Taz Nicholson (Sr., ATH), Kevonte Doles (So., RB), Allan Bass Jr., (Jr., RB/DB), Trevor James (Sr., LB), Terrance James (Sr., LB), Lamont Simmons (Sr., WR/DB), Robert Simmons (So., DB)
Newcomers: Cameron Sapp (Sr., QB), Malik Brown (Sr., RB), Deshaun Davis (Sr., WR/DB)
Outlook: Two years ago, Lee took everyone by surprise by advancing all the way to the state semifinals in a stunning loss to Plant. With several starters back, the Generals were expected to make another serious run but surprisingly were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round last season. Do the Generals have another run in them this season ? Six starters are back on offense including speedy playmakers Caldwell, Nicholson, Doles, Bass and Simmons along with transfers Sapp (Parker), Bates (Raines), Brown (UC) and Davis (Mandarin). Five starters are back on defense including the James brothers, Simmons, Nicholson and Bass.
This week: at Raines (Friday)
4 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)
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.
This week: Lee (Friday)
5 St. Augustine Yellow Jackets
Coach: Brian Braddock
Record: 12-1
Key Players: Elijah Ryan (Sr., K/P), Brandon Johnson (Sr., RB/DB), Jarien Ramos (Sr., DB/WR), Jaden McDowell (Jr., WR/DB), Thomas Marrero (Sr., OL), Rylan Shugart (Sr., LB/TE), Nicholas Barlow (Sr., LB), Robert Zuzu (Sr., DL/FB), Darius Stanley (Sr., DL/FB)
Newcomers: Michael Early (Sr., QB/WR/SS), Wiliam Bothers (Jr., QB), Sammy Edwards (So., QB)
Outlook: Seems like every year, people look at St. Augustine and think oh they lost so and so they can’t be that good this year. Yet every year the Yellow Jackets keep proving the doubters wrong including a state semifinal appearance last season, four quarters away from playing for a state title. The same ones probably think the Jackets will be down again this season after losing 9 starters on offense including quarterback Austin Reed (159 of 248 for 2,925 yards, 34 TD, 7 INT), tailback Dexter Brown (1699 yards, 15 TD on 172 carries), tailback Frequan Sparrow (707 yards, 11 TD on 100 carries), and receivers Karim Brown (59 catches for 1385 yards, 17TD) and Cedrin Daniel (49 catches for 1699 yards, 9 TD). While those losses were substantial, the Jackets next man up philosophy has prepared all spring for finding replacements. As of day one of fall practice, Braddock had not named a starter at quarterback between the three man battle of Early, Bothers and Edwards. Whomever wins the job will have Johnson, who primarily played defensive back and was moved back to tailback in the spring, along with wideouts Ramos, McDowell and Stanley, a two way standout as weapons. Defensively, the Jackets are much better shape returning five starters including Shugart (75 tackles, 3 sacks), Zuzu (87 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss), Barlow (51 tackles, 2 sacks) and McDowell (77 tackles, 4 INT). Ryan is the weapon most teams don’t have after converting 62 of 66 point after attempts and 6 of 9 field goals last season.
This Week: at Baker County (Friday)
6 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.
This Week: St. Augustine (Friday)
7 Bartram Trail Bears
Coach: Darrell Sutherland
Record: 11-4
Key Players: Devin Ellison (Sr., RB), Gunnar Hitzeman (Sr., WR), Griffin Helm (Sr., WR), Johnny Burkett (Sr., OL), Harry Bowker (Sr., DB/P), Robby Love (Sr., OL), Chase Ruskin (Sr., LB), Nick Macabee (Jr., OL), Tre’Vez Johnson (Jr., DB), Aaron Jones (So., RB)
Newcomers: Chad Dodson (Jr., QB), Zach Rhodes (Jr., WR), Colin McKee (Sr., OL), Spencer Hudson (Sr., OL), Andrew Bonday (Sr., DL), Kaleo Fowler (Sr., LB), Craig Sinclair (Jr., DB), Connor Easterling (Sr., DL), Ralph Hamilton (Jr., LB), Jordan Webster (Sr., LB), Brandon Vespi (Sr., LB), Eric Weatherly (Fr., ATH), William Greig (Jr., K)
Outlook: After years of knocking on the door, Bartram Trail finally was able to get to the promise land, Orlando and compete for a state title. Now they have finally got there the goal doesn’t change of bringing home the first trophy back. It will be extremely difficult to duplicate the success but its certainly not out of the equation. It won’t be easy replacing most of an offense that scored 617 points last year and also most of a team that saw 12 guys move on to college, including six go Division I. For the first time in several years, Sutherland will look to just one guy to run his speed triple option offense in Dodson, who despite just throwing four passes last year, already has an offer from Akron. Dodson will have several weapons to choose from in speedy backs Ellison (1261 yards, 17 TD on 150 carries) and Jones (359 yards, 3 TD on 55 carries) as well as big time receivers Hitzeman (33 catches for 617 yards, 5 TD) and Helm (46 catches for 658 yards, 6 TD). The defense is still in good shape with the return of Bowker (41 tackles, 4 INT) and Ruskin (73 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, INT) as well as Love. Part of the reason for the huge turnaround and success last season was the teams closeness and bonding and willing to set aside personal goals for team goals. Sutherland is hoping some of that rubs off on this team and says it already has. During his 17 year tenure, the Bears have made the playoffs 15 times including three straight, look for it to extend to four straight years.
This Week: Brunswick, GA (Friday)
8 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)
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.
This Week: at University Christian (Friday)
9 Fleming Island Eagles
Coach: Damenyum Springs
Record: 11-3
Key Players: Dean Hyams (Jr., QB), Sam Synder (Sr., TE), Eugene Oglesby (Sr., DB/LB), Dewayne McBride (Jr., RB), Max Michaels (Sr., FB), Jake Libretto (Sr., TE), Jaelin Blount (Sr., LB), Jacob Ashe (Sr., WR), Jared Ashe (Sr., WR/DB), Aaron Ramirez (Sr., RB/DB), Jeremiah Jackson (Jr., LB)
Newcomers: Andrew Thomas (Sr., RB/DB), Thomas Waters (Jr., OL), Bennett Corey (Jr., OL), Cody Carmen (Jr., OL), Evan Sheets (So., OL), Frank Rooney (So., OL), Zack Payne (Jr., LB), Bryan Maddox (So., RB/LB), Timmy Thomas (So., RB/LB)
Outlook: What does Fleming Island do for an encore? We knew Fleming Island was going to be good but how good would they be. How about a run all the way to the third round of the playoffs. For the second time in less than a year tragedy struck the Eagles program as tailback Darnell Deas Jr. unexpectedly passed away, less than a year after lineman Ben Johnson unexpectedly passed. The Eagles rallied together as a team and will do the same this season in honor of both young men. It won’t be easy going deep in the playoffs but don’t count them out. Three offensive starters are back including three year starter Hyams who shared time as well as the speed star McBride and tightend Sam Snyder, a converted lineman. Joining them will be newcomers Michaels, Ramirez and the Ashe brothers, two way standouts as well a young offensive line featuring Waters, Corey, Carmen, Sheets and Rooney. The defense, which was the focal point of the team last season, only returns two starters in Oglesby and Libretto. Despite all the losses to graduation the defense played extremely well against Palm Coast in the spring and looks to be quite possibly just as good as last year. Springs is counting on several newcomers to fill those holes including Payne, Blount, Landon Perry and Middleburg transfer Andrew Thomas, a two way standout. Coaches are excited to see Jackson return after he missed the entire season after tearing an ACL in the referee scrimmage last fall prior to the season opener.
This Week: Clay (Friday)
10 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)
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.
This Week: at Ribault (Thursday)
Honorable Mention: Fletcher (7-3), University Christian (10-3), Clay (9-4), Menendez (8-4), Bradford (10-2), West Nassau (10-2), Bishop Kenny (7-3), Baldwin (5-5), Oakleaf (2-8)
