Ponte Vedra- Two playoff teams from last year squared off in a much anticipated exhibition this spring showcasing several talented players and two equally up and coming head coaches in Northeast Florida. Ed White went 7-3 last season with a forfeit and fell to district champion Baker County. Nease went 7-3 in the regular season, advancing to the regional final where they fell to Buchholz. Both teams graduated key contributors to their success last year.
Nease bid farewell to wide receiver Dom Henry (BYU), tight end Grant Stevens (UCF), Evan Crenshaw ( Coastal Carolina), and Sam Dec (Army). Ed White graduated several seniors including tight end Deven Robinson (Webber), linebacker Caison Davis (Knox College), and First Team All-state safety Christian Ellis (New Mexico).
Still, heading into their spring game both teams showcased talented returning rosters including two power five committed athletes who were eager to showcase their immense talent for the class of 2023. Ed White featured Davaughn Patterson ( Wake Forest Commit) while Nease featured Marcus Stokes (Penn State commit).
The start of the game saw Ed White march down the field behind rising junior running-back Benny Lewis. He would run off tackle behind the block of #77 Dante Watt (6’3, 320lbs) for the games first score as the Commanders took a 7-0 lead.
The Ed White defense would step up next as several key returners showed promise in the first quarter. Freshman #24 Kamaury Rowe forced the ball in the air with a jarring hit as #12 Malik Phelps came down with an interception for Ed White. Phelps looks to fill a void left by senior defensive backs Matthew Pierre-Val and Sherman McClain.
After a lightning delay the Nease offense woke up as quarterback Marcus Stokes drove his team down field. However on fourth down Stokes pass to the end-zone fell incomplete as Ed White’s Davaughn Patterson and his brother rising sophomore Josh Patterson broke up the pass to keep the score 7-0 at halftime. Josh Patterson is a key player to look for this year. He caught an interception in the spring game, and has received offers from Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina and others.
Marcus Stokes had an incredible year in 2021, leading his team deep into the playoffs. He proved a lot of doubters wrong and made believers out of those who had never heard of him. That’s his game and he fuels off of it. He led his team out of the tunnel in the second half determined to have a better showing and he did. Stokes would hit his wide receiver Da’Von Patterson for a long pass play, in which Patterson showed great hands and adjustment. Look out for the rising senior this fall.
On fourth down and goal, Head Coach Collin Drafts called Stoke’s number and he delivered on a short touchdown run diving over the top. The score tied the game 7-7 in the third quarter and Stoke’s night was over. The talented 3-star quarterback showed arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism in his final spring game.
Coach Drafts lost a lot of key talent on both sides of the ball but knows it’s an opportunity for his staff to develop players and prepare them as football players to compliment his returning starters. Said Drafts, “We’re excited to come out and see what we have has a team, and do so against a tough opponent”. Players like RB Cam Smith ran hard on offense and safety Sterling Grimes impressed this spring in practice.
On the other side of the ball, Davaughn Patterson led an opportunistic defense that flew around and forced turnovers. Patterson recorded double digit tackles and was all over the field stopping the run, breaking up passes and making bone crushing hits. He is projected to be the best all around 2023 player next year from the area.
Joining Patterson on the Ed White defense, but was unable to play is DB Tavales Thomas (Riverside) who has several offers including ones from Famu, Alabama St, Alabama A&M, UNC Charlotte, Middle Tennessee St, Georgia Southern, and Arkansas St.
On offense, Ed White was led by returning starter Isiah Teal. The 6’3 quarterback showed his ability to push the ball down field and hit receivers for long gains. Teal also showed his toughness, as he lowered the boom on a would be tackler on a drive in the second half. The performance earned his first offer from Trinity International University.
Teal’s top target this year will be wide receiver Gabriel Garmon. The 6’3 athlete is tall and fast, possessing speed to get behind defenders. He also showed his versatility in the game as he got in on defense and recorded a pick 6 at safety. Garmon has offers from Alabama St, Alabama A&M, and Tusculum.
Ed White would win the contest 26-7, sparking great optimism from Coach Lawrence Johnson. “I was pleased with the way the guys played with enthusiasm and got after it in the game” said Johnson. They can use the performance to build momentum into the fall. Ed White kick’s off their season against Hawthorne at home on August19th.
Nease will begin their 2022 campaign at Menendez August 19th.
