We concluded our All-Area team recently and now its time to release our Big School accolades, including our Player and Coaches of the Year for each classification.
Class 8A Player of the Year
1 Demario Douglas (Sr., ATH) Mandarin 1,752 AP yards, 8 INT, 18 TD
2 Carson Beck (Jr., QB) Mandarin 209 for 356 for 3,546 yards, 39 TD, 8 INT
3 Nelson Paul (Sr., DL) Palm Coast 106 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, 4 FF
4 Christian Warren (Sr., DL) Mandarin 130 tackles, 29 TFL, 20.5 sacks, 13 hurries
5 Kjuan Herndon (Jr., RB) Sandalwood 173 carries for 1553 yards, 19 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Darian Oxendine (Sr., ATH, Mandarin), Jeff Sims (Jr., QB, Sandalwood), Stephen Usina (So., K, Palm Coast),
Class 7A Player of the Year
1 Jaylen Mitchell (Sr., DB) Fletcher 10 interceptions, 3 touchdowns
2 Keshawn King (Sr., RB) Oakleaf 249 carries for 2,017 yards, 30 TD
3 Taz Nicholson (Sr., ATH, Lee) 1,621 AP yards, 16 TD, 4 INT
4 Marquez Bell (Jr., WR) Columbia 52 catches for 1,044 yards, 13 touchdowns
5 Le’vontae Camiel (Jr., LB) Columbia 62 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks
Honorable Mention: Aaron Ramirez (Sr., RB, Fleming Island), Tai Lavatai (Sr., QB, Creekside), Jack Goodrich (So, WR, Creekside), Ralph Mency (Jr., DL, Lee), Tyree Saunders (Jr., WR, First Coast), Cameron Sapp (Sr., QB, Lee), Trevor James (Sr., LB, Lee),
Jordan Smith (Jr., QB, Columbia)
Class 6A Player of the Year
1 Isiah Flowers (Sr., RB) White 173 carries for 1,703 yards, 22 TD
2 Dequan Stanley (So., SS) St. Augustine 2 INT, 6 sacks
3 Brandon Johnson (Sr., RB/DB) St. Augustine 503 rushing/7 TD, 2 INT
4 Darius Stanley (Sr., DE) St. Augustine 41 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 TFL
5 Nick Bunkosky (Sr., WR) Nease 45 catches for 765 yards, 6 touchdowns
Class 5A Player of the Year
1 Marcus Crowley (Sr., RB) Trinity 222 carries for 2,325 yards, 31 total TD
2 Ty Edwards (Sr., ATH) Menendez 2,083 AP yards, 26 TD
3 Kenny Logan (Sr., ATH) Menendez 1,429 AP yards, 20 TD
4 Jaylyn Session (Sr., RB) Palatka 174 carries for 1,589 yards, 17 TD
5 Andrew Brown (Sr., LB) Trinity 120 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 8 sacks, 3 INT
Honorable Mention
Bryson Kirksey (Sr., ATH, Bolles), Ben Netting (Jr., QB, Bolles), Kel McCloud (Sr., RB, Bolles), Jack Murrah (Sr., QB, Ponte Vedra), Jonathan Jones (Sr., WR, BK), George Farmand (Jr., QB, BK), Kendy Charles (Jr., DL, OP), Alex Collier (Jr., RB, OP), Jonathan Ealey (Sr., LB, Trinity), Isaiah Washington (Sr., WR, Trinity), Jacory Jordan (So. QB, Trinity), Tristan Willis (Sr., DB, Menendez)
Coaches of the Year
8A: Bobby Ramsay (Mandarin) What a turnaround for Ramsay going from 2-8 in its first season to 11-4 and Class 8A state champs.
7A: OJ Small (Lee) – After a stunning first round exit last year, Small helped the Generals reach the Elite 8 this past season.
6A: Brian Braddock (St. Augustine) – By its own standards, 2018 was a roller coaster type of season after seeing several lengthy streaks end however its 20 plus year consecutive district and playoff streak continued.
5A: Wayne Belger (Bolles) – A year after the earliest playoff exit in over 20 years, Belger guided the Bulldogs to the Final Four thius season.
4A: Deran Wiley (Raines) – While it may not have come to a shock to many, winning back-to-back state titles is harder than it looks.
3A: Brannon Tidwell (St. Joseph) – Tidwell guided the Flashes to a perfect regular season and a first round bye to help them advance to the second round for the first time in school history.
2A: David Penland III (University Christian) – Despite losing several players to graduation or transfers, Penland helped the Christians reach the Elite 8 again.
1A: Clarence Williams (Crescent City) – Williams directed the Raiders to their first playoff win in 18 years before bowing out in the second round to Hawthorne.
Independents: Jamie Gamel (Cedar Creek) – His first year in the Sunshine State league, Gamel guided the Saints to a division title and first playoff appearance.
