When it all boiled down to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference First Coast Divisional title; Cedar Creek Christian led the division from A to Z last season.
New to the SSAC last season, Cedar Creek flourished within their new league rolling through the division undefeated. Will the Saints go back-to-back and win their second divisional title, will former top dog Christ’s Church take the title back again or will their be another surprise this year perhaps with Bishop Snyder or Providence claiming the title; these questions will soon be answered.
Cedar Creek Christian Saints
Coach: Jamie Gamel
Record: 7-2
Key Players: Edward Berry (Sr., OL/DT), Ethan Floyd (Sr., TE), Cameron Holler (Sr., ATH), Zachary James (Sr., LB/SS), Trevon Adams (Sr., OL/DL)
Newcomers: Demaci Griffin (Sr., QB), Mikell Dixon (So., CB/WR), Michael Hays (So., FB/MLB), Matthew Kinell (So., OL/DL), Andrew Vega (So., OL/DL), David Dickerson (So., OL/DL)
Schedule:
Aug 16 at Wolfson
Aug 23 at Joshua Christian
Aug 30 Christ’s Church *
Sept 6 Paxon
Sept 13 at Lafayette
Sept 27 at Providence *
Oct 4 Episcopal
Oct 11 Bishop Snyder *
Oct 18 Eagle’s View
Oct 25: Playoffs/Bowl game
Nov 1: Playoffs/Bowl game
Outlook: Out of state transfer quarterback Demaci Griffin will be on the roster and looking to shake up the season. Griffin will be teaming up with returning key players Edward Berry and Ethan Floyd to surpass last season’s division title by capturing the state title. The Saints are looking and sounding good which is a big possibility that their dreams just may come true this season. Despite losing key player Jon Brazel to Ed White, as well as two seniors one of which was starter and quarterback Kareem Mixson; Cedar Creek remains optimistic this season.
Christ Church Eagles
Coach: Jim Stomps
Key players: Ben Anderson (Sr., QB), Matt Jarozeski, (Sr., T), Hunter Hollis (Sr., WR), Aeden Sheehan (Sr., WR), Cadence Lamp (Sr., RB/SB), Zac O’Connor (Sr., MLB), Edwin Arocho (Sr., WR/CB), Davis Crenshaw (Sr., WR/CB), Andrew Partyka (Jr., LB), Jacob Dennie (So., QB/FS), Nick Lampp (Sr., DT)
Record: 4-6
Newcomers: Garrison Giddens (8th, OL/DL), Graham Cleland (Fr., TE), Byron Jones (Fr., OL/DL)
Schedule:
Aug 23 Bishop McLaughlin
Aug 30 at Cedar Creek *
Sept 6 at St. John Lutheran
Sept 13 at Maclay
Sept 27 at Bishop Snyder *
Oct 4 Joshua Christian
Oct 11 Providence *
Oct 18 Bronson
Oct 25 Playoffs/Bowl game
Nov 1 Playoffs/Bowl game
Outlook: Christ’s Church kicked off the season with their midnight practice with the motto, “first team to practice, last team to practice.” The Eagles are fully aware that the last team to practice will play in the state championship. The Eagles are packing a punch this year with several standout players including Anderson (120 of 193 for 1,768 yards, 16 touchdowns, 5 INT), who is known for his quick thinking and strong arm. Powerhouse left tackle Matt Jarozeski whom has several college offers to play as an offensive tackle is a leader on the line. Lamp is back after rushing for 968 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Anderson will have all four targets back at receiver in Hollis, Arocho, Sheehan and Crenshaw. Defensively leading tackler O’Connor (107 tackles) is back as is Partyka (52 tackles). Without any transfers on the roster, Christ Church has a solid returning team. The Eagles have been battle tested and are prepared for a rematch against Cedar Creek and out to take back the title. Christ Church’s prior 2016 and 2017 records have proven that the Eagles have what it takes to go all the way.
Providence Stallions
Coach: Bobby McGlohorn
Record: 2-8
Key Players: C J Brooks (Sr., MLB), Sebastian Reichhardt (Sr., T/NG), Kai Darabi (Sr., T/DT) ,Evan Novak (Jr., LB/TE) , Cade Windham (So., WR). Koel Johnson (Sr., CB/WR)
Newcomers: Thomas Woods (Jr., RB/WR/CB), Jaiden Heath, (Jr., CB/SS/WR), Max Sushinsky, (So., DT/G), Gavin Brunson (So.,RB),
Schedule:
Aug 23 Episcopal
Aug 30 at Melbourne Central Catholic
Sept 6 Stanton
Sept 13 at Bishop Snyder *
Sept 20 Joshua Christian
Sept 27 Cedar Creek *
Oct 4 at St. Joseph
Oct 11 at Christ’s Church *
Oct 25 Playoffs/Bowl game
Nov 1 Playoffs/Bowl game
Outlook: Providence had the golden opportunity to get their feet wet under a new head coach last season. Unfortunately, the season did not fare as well with only two wins. Head coach Bobby McGlohorn will begin his second year leading the Stallions along with eleven returning seniors on the roster to make up a well seasoned offense and defense on deck. Only time will tell if the Stallions have struck gold by placing the new pieces of the puzzle together with sizable players like Brooks , Reichhardt ,Darabi and Novak. McGlohorn is expecting Windham to accelerate and become a break out player. One can only stay tuned and watch the Stallions week by week as they are pacing themselves to move from the bottom to the top.
Bishop Snyder Cardinals
Coach: Travis Markoski
Record: 2-8
Key Players: Tre Williams (Sr., CB/WR), Pedro Velez (Sr., WR/OLB), DeShawn Shaw (Sr., FS/WR), Trey Jaeger (Sr., WR/RB), Anthony Cotromano (Sr., FB/DE), Kevin Campos (Sr., DE/RB), Patrick Carter (Sr., DE,T), Connor Salt (Sr., C, G), Ijon Richardson (Jr., QB, CB)
Newcomers: Jamil Johnsom (Fr., WR), Emanuel Bruny (Fr. MLB), Jamil Johnson (Fr., RB), Luke Seibert (So., FS,CB)
Schedule:
Aug 23 Deltona Trinity
Aug 30 Hilliard
Sept 6 at Oak Hall
Sept 13 Providence *
Sept 20 Branford
Sept 27 Christ Church *
Oct 11 at Cedar Creek *
Oct 17 Wolfson
Outlook: Obviously the wings of these Cardinals could not be clipped. Despite a fallible 2-8 season, Bishop Snyder is confident that 2019 will be the year of the Cardinal. After an 0-8 start last season, the Cardinals rebounded to win their last two games, to give them momentum heading into this season. Williams is a force to be reckoned with as he superbly doubles as a running back and corner back. Velez sweeps through as an amazing wide receiver and linebacker. Richardson is a young quarterback that can effectively maneuver the ball by passing or running . With fourteen returning seniors on the roster , the team is tailored for success.
INDEPENDENTS
St. Johns Country Day
Coach: Derek Chipoletti
Record: 3-6
Key Players: Lim Bielik (Sr., OLB), Joseph Shimko (Sr., OLB), Marcus Coleman (Jr., RB/DB), Max Arnold (Jr., WR/DB)
Newcomers: Joey Gomory (Fr., QB), Mason Davis (Jr., QB)
Schedule:
Aug 23 at Ocala Christian
Aug 30 St John Paul II
Sept 6 Rocky Bayou
Sept 20 at Warner Christian
Sept 27 at Bronson
Oct 4 Merritt Island Christian
Oct 18 Georgia Christian
Oct 25 at Aucilla Christian
Outcome: The Spartans lost a number of key players this year due to transfers. One particular stand out player quarterback Max Munroe left and transferred to Ridgeview. However, the roster has increased substantially due to an influx of new and experienced players flocking to St. Johns. as the team is growing and rebuilding at a rapid rate. One of those new players is Davis, who has been a pitcher on the Spartans highly successful baseball team. The Spartans dropped out of the North Florida Football Conference to go independent and the coaching staff feels that the new schedule is accurate to fit their size and they expect a much improved season.
Joshua Christian Eagles
Coach: Charles Mickens
Record: 0-6
Key Players: Mike Pough Jr. (Sr., LB/RB), Darren Mathis (Sr., RB/LB), Ernest Johnson (QB), Erron Moore (WR), Joseph Christian (LB), Wendell Russ Jr. (DE)
Newcomers : None
Schedule:
Aug 22 Cedar Creek
Aug 30 at Saint Francis
Sept 9 Eagle’s View
Sept 13 at Jordan Christian
Sept 20 Providence
Sept 27 at Merritt Island
Oct 4 at Christ’s Church
Oct 11 West Oaks
Oct 18 at Aucilla
Outlook: The Eagles are headed into their second season of birth. A winless season last year has metamorphosed the Eagles to display lion type tendencies. The defense planned to eat everything on its plate shunning out all light of hope on all opponents. The Eagles have revamped the program with consistency and becoming mentally stronger. The roster has benefited significantly due to the increase number of transfer players including Pough and Mathis from Cedar Creek Christian. A better season is in the horizon for the Eagles as each player is equipped to play defense and offense. Joshua Christian’s motto is, “We don’t accommodate, we acclimate”. The Eagles are prepared to adapt into a new season possibly becoming the new “Come Back Kids”.
SSAC Predictions
- Christ Church
- Cedar Creek
- Providence
- Bishop Snyder
Helmets courtesy of the FloridaHSFootball Helmet Project
