Week 2 gets off with a bang this with several non regional games all over the First Coast area, including Apopka at Bartram Trail, Godby at Mandarin and Oakleaf at Glades Central.
That’s not to say their isn’t local games on the schedule to keep an eye on, such as Fleming Island at Sandalwood and Cedar Creek at Christ’s Church.
Here is a run down of top games around the area to keep an eye on this week, featuring several state ranked teams.
Note: Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball
GAME OF THE WEEK
Apopka (1-0) at Bartram Trail (1-0)
TOP GAMES
Godby (1-0) at Mandarin (1-0)
Godby Cougars
Coach: Corey Fuller
Record: (1-0)
Key Players: Trey Fisher (Jr., QB), Tony Street (Sr., RB), Ja’heim Knight (Sr., WR), Trevor Solomon-Wilson (Sr., WR), Kamron Martin (Sr., RB), Jashawn Demps (Jr., RB), Jacquez Yant (Jr., RB), Alvin Jones III (Jr., WR/KR), Kyler Laing (Sr., LB), Quentin Jones (Sr., DL/OL), John Wiggins (Sr., OL), John Howard (Sr., OL), Josh Yarbrough (So., OL), Mike Brown (Jr., OL), TJ Lee (So., OL)
Outlook: Fuller has to hope the team that showed up in the second half of the 45-24 win over Chiles shows up this week and not the first half team. Up only 14-10 at the half, the Cougars responded with four rushing touchdowns and a blocked punt, including a 25 point fourth quarter to run away it. Two weeks ago, Godby went toe-to-toe with state power Miami Northwestern losing 28-19 in a three quarter kickoff classic called early due to severe weather. Godby is loaded with speed in all three phases, including special teams where they have had a 75 yard kickoff and a 57 yard punt return the last two weeks. Offensive coordinator Jacquez Green is a creative genius and should sound familiar to area football fans as a former Florida Gator wide receiver who excelled in Steve Spurrier Fun and Gun offense.
Mandarin Mustangs
Coach: Bobby Ramsay
Record: 1-0
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)
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, Mitchell, Absolu and Douglas , while the defense returns Moss, 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. The Mustangs got off to a great start by dominating arch-rival Atlantic Coast 39-7 last week in front of a statewide televised audience. How will they respond with the cameras gone and state power Godby coming into their house a year after whipping the Mustangs 34-7 last year in Tallahassee.
Oakleaf (1-0) at Glades Central (0-1)
Oakleaf Knights
Coach: Frank Garis
Record: 1-0
Key Players: Keyshawn King (Sr., RB), Dexter Moore (Sr., LB), Chantz Williams (Jr., DE), Jalen Rivers (Jr., OL), Jamaric Bonner (Sr., ATH), Tre Simmons (So., QB), Damarious Flowers (Sr., TE), Kevin Davis (So., RB/LB), Tayari Otis (Sr., DL)
Newcomers: Chrystian Sellers (So., DB), Jordan Stringfield (So., DL), Jordan Randall (Jr., LB), Marcus Anthony (So., LB)
Outlook: Oakleaf is hoping its fifth coach in its nine years will be the spark the program needs to get back to what it once was. Garis spent time under Matt Toblin (Ponte Vedra), Josh Hoekstra (Clay) and Craig Howard (Nease) three of the most successful coaches in the area by far. So Garis knows what it takes to win and plans to take their philosophies with him including the tradition of practicing on Thanksgiving Day, something that hasn’t been done at Oakleaf since four years ago. Offensively, the Knights return five starters including a much more mature and bigger Simmons (87 of 197 for 1,108 yards, 5 TD, 11 INT) who struggled as a freshman but should improve drastically. King (1,427 yards, 17 TD on 201 carries) set a school record last season in yards and is back and determined to break the school record again and the Virginia Tech commit could do that. He will have help though as Davis, a two-way standout showed off his skills in the spring when King was sidelined and showed what he’s capable of. Bonner returns as the most experienced receiver and will be the leader of an area which was a major down fall last season. Rivers leads the offensive line and is being recruited by nearly every team in the country with multiple D-I offer. Five starters return on defense including Moore (96 tackles, 2 sacks), Williams (50 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks) and Davis (69 tackles, 1 INT). While 2-8 seems like a terrible season and it is, when you look at the layers beneath it you see that the Knights lost four games by 17 points, including two by less than three points. If the Knights are going to turn things around they must win those close games as well.
Glades Central Raiders
Coach: Jessie Hester
Record: (0-1)
Key Players: Davius Richard (Sr., QB), Ja’vontae Williams (Sr., RB), E.J. Jackson (Sr., DB), Jymetre Hester (Sr., WR), Frankivious Rolle (Sr., TE/FB), Latiel Allen (Sr., OL), Kourtney Ware (Sr., DL), Keaunte Bush (Jr., OL), De’ante Dumelle (Jr., DB), Jacquez Gadson (Jr., RB), Lemarcus McKay (Sr., CB), Donald Reeves III (So., LB)
Outlook: Sophomore quarterback Nick Vattiato had quite the debut as he threw for three touchdowns and ran for another host as University School drilled Glades Central 35-6 at AutoNation Field on Friday night. Raiders won a nail biter last season 13-12 at Oakleaf, now its time for the return trip. Six starters back on offense, while five return on defense, including Hester, who had 797 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last year and Richard, who threw for 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns against just five interceptions last season. Raiders lost in Elite 8 last season to University School.
Fleming Island (1-0) at Sandalwood (1-0)
Outlook: Just the second meeting all-time between these two as Eagles won 17-6 last season at home on way to the third round of the playoffs. A win would go along way for both from a confidence boost for a young Eagles defense and a Saints team looking for some much needed respect.
Fleming Island Eagles
Coach: Damenyum Springs
Record: 1-0
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.
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.
Cedar Creek (0-1) at Christ’s Church (0-1)
Outlook: When Cedar Creek moved to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, this automatically became one of the marquee game in the First Coast Division. The Saints have had their share of success in the state playoffs but face the premiere team in the division, which has made three consecutive playoff appearances.
Cedar Creek Saints
Coach: Jamie Gamel
Record: 0-1
Key Players: Jonathan Brazie (Jr., WR/DB), Isaiah Conner (Sr., OL/DL), Anthony Gross (Sr., OL/DL), Anthony Harper (Sr., OL/DL), Edward Berry (Sr., DL/OL), Kareem Mixson (Sr., RB/WR/LB), Dante Jackson (Sr., WR/DB), Zachary James (Jr., LB/TE), Michael Pough Jr. (Jr., RB/LB)
Newcomers: None
Outlook: After years of battling University Christian and North Florida Christian, Cedar Creek made the decision to move out of the FHSAA and into the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. The Saints struggled last season and were overwhelmed at times in Class 2A despite back-to-back playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016, now the Saints are in the right league a league they can compete in right away and a play for a state title right away possibly. Gamel in his seventh year only returns two seniors as the bulk of the team is fairly a young team but still returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. Despite having such a young team don’t count out the Saints for a possible playoff run in their inaugural season. One player to keep an eye on is Mixson, a dynamic athlete that can do so many things for the Saints.
Christ’s Church Eagles
Coach: Jim Stomps
Record: 0-1
Key Players: Jacob Reeves (Sr., DL), Jared Carwile (Sr., QB), Kole Keene (Sr., LB), Matt Jaroszeski (Jr., OL), Cadence Lampp (Jr., RB), Gabe Lindo (Jr., OL), Ben Anderson (Jr., QB/DB)
Newcomers: Hunter Hollis (So., WR)
Outlook: Since entering the league three years ago, Christ’s Church has been the model of consistency that others should follow. The Eagles have made the playoffs all three years and should be heavily favorites to repeat as divisional champs for the third straight year. Its no coincidence Stomps has been in charge all three years as well as he built a solid foundation and state title contender now. The Eagles were hit hard with graduation with only three starters back on offense and four on defense yet are still the favorites in the division. Stomps spread offense returns starter Carwile, who is being pushed by Anderson for the starting job, as well as key lineman Jaroszeski and Lindo. The 3-3-5 defense returns four year starter Reeves, who committed to Weber State, as well as Keene (114 tackles). Stomps is excited to see what Hollis can do in the offense, after returning to football after a year away, saying “he’s going to be our Wes Walker”.
