Neptune Beach- It’s become a tradition at Fletcher High School for several years as parents and students line the gates of their practice field at midnight awaiting the new installment of the Fletcher Senators football team. This year’s group, led by Head Coach Kevin Brown, rushed the field at 12:01am like a midnight train with thoughts of being the first on the field in 2019. But not only the first, the senators have goals of being the last on the field in 2019, hoisitng state championship trophies in Daytona, the new site for the Class 7A Championship.
Practice was spirited and scripted as Coaches manned stations for players to rotate to. The Quarterbacks and runningbacks were in one group led by senior quarterback Devon Lingle. Lingle lead the drills with his footwork and optimism toward the future as he leaned over to teamate saying ” let’s go get a ring this year, don’t you want a ring?” If Fletcher is going to pursue a ring they’ll put the ball in the hands of another player in the backs group Junior Myles Montgomery.
Montgomery will run behind the 6 foot 6, 300-pound senior tackle Bradley Ashmore. His oustanding performance in the spring game without Ashmore showed what he’s capable of this year, rushing for two touchdowns. In the midnight session, he kept that same energy from the spring game as he pumped up teammates and kept them positive through the practice.
Another weapon on offense will be wide reciever Javon Heggs. He’s poised for a breakout junior season after an impressive spring game and summer workout. Both he and Montgomery are bigger and stronger than last season physically, which most times yields bigger and stronger results duirng the season.
Coach Brown’s main focus is defense this year as he has lots of young talent to work with. Senior LB Josh Bosco heads the group along with senior D-End Jacob Zetrouer. Aaron Hester is one of the young and rising players who will play opposite defensive end at 6’2 and 218lbs as a sophomore. Coaches are looking for him to earn his stripes this year.
In the secondary, junior Jadon Canady has incredible talent and may have a brerak out season this year. A state finalst in the 300M hurdles, Canady has the speed and agility to make plays at corner. Coaches are high on him and senior defensive back Ny’Kai Evelyn during this fall pracitce in preperation for the season.
Fletcher has weapons yet are very young, so it will be a big task for the coaches to get them ready for a gruilng fall. Offensive Cooridnator Thomas Laubach is one of those coaches tasked with getting the weapons to jell quickly. Players and coaches are excited about his ability to draw up X’s and O’s as Fletcher loosk to have an explosive offense this fall.
The future is bright for Fletcher as they have a young stable of up and coming players learning from the upperclassmen. Yet for the seniors, the future is now as they push they’re young teammates to their full potential, hoping to ride their midnight train to Daytona.
