Class 6A in Northeast Florida has experienced their share of shake ups before the 2019 season began. The death of Matanzas’ wide receiver and linebacker Curtis Gray devastated the Pirates family and community. Gray was shot and killed on April 13th of this year. All continue to mourn the loss of such an accomplished athlete. Englewood managed to win only one game during the season which was against Paxon. Ponte Vedra stacked out the season with wins advancing to the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The Sharks will now be under the new leadership of former Bishop Kenny offensive coordinator Jeff DiSandro. After five seasons, Ponte Vedra Coach Matt Toblin will now sphere-head the football program at Bolles. St Augustine produced an unusually less than stellar season of (5-6) but still won their district advancing to the playoffs. There is room for growth in 6A and a slice of the pie is available for whom ever wants to eat.
Helmets: Courtesy of Florida HS Football
Ponte Vedra Sharks
Coach:
Jeff DiSandro
Record: 8-3
Key Players: Jacobi Myers (Jr., QB), Zach Chattaway (Sr., RB/CB), Campbell Parker (Jr., RB), Caden Fordham (Jr., FS/WR), Will Frank (Sr., DE), Kyle Bondra (Sr., SS/FS), George Sanders (Sr., OLB), R.J. Glod (Sr., QB), Kevin Butler (Sr., OG/OT), Andrew Lewis (Sr., DE/TE)
Newcomers:Jackson Ledsome (Fr., T), Andrew Lazenby (Fr., WR), Spencer Pearson (Fr., WR), Tommy Burkett (Fr., WR), Mason Flores (So., WR), Sean Dormer (So., SS/WR)
Schedule:
Aug 16 Oakleaf (Kickoff Classic)
Aug 23 Nease
Aug 30 at Zephyrhills
Sept 6 Buchholz
Sept 13 at Palatka
Sept 20 at Menendez
Sept 27 at Matanzas *
Oct 4 Bartram Trail
Oct 11 Englewood*
Oct 18 OPEN
Oct 25 St. Augustine *
Nov 1 at Creekside
Outlook:
The Shark’s ship has sailed and Coach Matt Toblin will not be leading this year. Jeff DiSandro has accepted the challenge to lead Ponte Vedra this season. The Sharks have secured a playoff seat for four consecutive seasons. Returning players Myers, Chattaway, Parker, Fordham and Frank will lead the team this year. Can the Sharks pull it off without Toblin? Will DiSandro birth a new legacy at Ponte Vedra? Stay tuned to ‘As the Sharks Turns’.
St. Augustine Yellow Jackets
Coach: Brian Braddock
Record: 5-6
Key players: Jaden McDowell (Sr., FS/WR), Holden Johnson (Sr., SS/WR), Sam Edwards (Jr., QB), Chris Camper (OL), Darrell Myers (Jr., LB), Justus Johnson (Sr., RB), Jose Blanco (Sr., WR), Zavion Ferguson (So., OL) , DeQuan Stanley (Sr., DB)
Schedule:
Aug 16 Clay (Kickoff Classic)
Aug 23 at Yulee
Aug 30 at Menendez
Sept 6 Palm Coast
Sept 13 at Bolles
Sept 20 Bartram Trail
Sept 27 Englewood *
Oct 4 OPEN
Oct 11 at Matanzas *
Oct 18 at Nease
Oct 25 at Ponte Vedra *
Nov 1 Palatka
Outlook:The Yellow Jackets fell short last year ending the season 5-6? Reluctantly St. Augustine did win 4 of their last games of the regular season earning the title of District Champions. 2018 season was far from the usual winning streak which has been successful the past 9 years. This year the offense plans to utilize a window dressing offense and more formations to confuse defenses. The defense will be more aggressive and physical this year. Can the Yellow Jackets pull off a stellar season or get in by the hairs of chinny chin chin.
Matanzas Pirates
Coach:Don Mathews
Record: 3-7
Key players:
Skyelar Williams (Sr., RB), Demontre Neeley (Sr.,QB), Joel Whittick (Sr., OLB), Willie Rollins (Jr., LB), Andre Rogelio (Jr., DE), Sean LeBeau (Jr., RB/MLB), Noah Cundiff (So., WR), Josef Powell (Sr., RB/CB), Chase Sabine (Sr., T/G/C), Addison Pease (Sr., T)
Newcomers:Dakwon Evans (8th, QB/RB), Bradyn Cox (Fr., OLB), Colby Treen (Fr., T), Travaine Whittick (Fr.), Vincent Luliano (Fr., TE)
Schedule:
Aug 16 at Wolfson (Kickoff Classic)
Aug 23 at Palm Coast
Aug 30 at Seabreeze
Sept 6 at Middleburg
Sept 13 OPEN
Sept 20 Atlantic
Sept 27 Ponte Vedra *
Oct 4 at Lake Howell
Oct 11 St. Augustine *
Oct 18 Lyman
Oct 25 Englewood *
Nov 1 at Menendez
Outlook:
The Pirates had a less than favorable 2018 ending the season (3-7). The tragic loss of Senior Curtis Gray added an even heavier damper upon the Pirates momentum. Williams and Neeley will returnthis season looking to make magic on the field. Cundiff, Powell, Sabine and Pease are expected to rev up the offense as well. LeBeau, Rogelio, Rollins and Whittick will be back on defense shutting out opponents. The Pirates have been down too long- the only way to go is up.
Englewood Rams
Coach:
JD Stalvey
Record: 1-9
Key Players:
Chivas Parrish (Sr., WR/DB), Jordan Mitchell (Sr., RB/LB), Jahquez Shaw (Sr., CB/FS), Braulio Ponce De Leon (Jr., QB/CB/FS)
Schedule:
Aug 16 Providence (Kickoff Classic)
Aug 23 at Paxon
Aug 30 Westside
Sept 6 OPEN
Sept 13 at Episcopal
Sept 20 Middleburg
Sept 27 at St. Augustine *
Oct 4 Menendez
Oct 11 at Ponte Vedra *
Oct 17 Jackson
Oct 25 at Matanzas *
Nov 1 Wolfson
Outlook:
The Rams pulled off only one win in the 2018 season. An experienced team will return this year with 12 of last year’s starters. Key Players Parrish , Shaw and Ponce de Leon are prepared to face the competition head on. Despite last years fallable season, Englewood is a solid team umbrellaed under great leadership.
Coach:JD Stalvey
Record: 1-9
Key Players:
Chivas Parrish (Sr., WR/DB), Jordan Mitchell (Sr., RB/LB), Jahquez Shaw (Sr., CB/FS), Braulio Ponce De Leon (Jr., QB/CB/FS)
Schedule:
Aug 16 Providence (Kickoff Classic)
Aug 23 at Paxon
Aug 30 Westside
Sept 6 OPEN
Sept 13 at Episcopal
Sept 20 Middleburg
Sept 27 at St. Augustine *
Oct 4 Menendez
Oct 11 at Ponte Vedra *
Oct 17 Jackson
Oct 25 at Matanzas *
Nov 1 Wolfson
Outlook:
The Rams pulled off only one win in the 2018 season. An experienced team will return this year with 12 of last year’s starters. Key Players Parrish , Shaw and Ponce de Leon are prepared to face the competition head on. Despite last years fallable season, Englewood is a solid team umbrellaed under great leadership.
