Northeast Fl- It’s time to give some shine to the coaches on the sidelines. Top teams in the area have some of the best staffs assembled. In order to navigate tough seasons and opponents you must have great players. However, dedicated coaches make the difference as well. Check out this week’s Top 10 teams in Northeast Florida and the head coaches that have made them some of the best.
1. Bradford (7-0)
Coach Jamie Rodgers and staff have led the Tornadoes to an undefeated season after seven games. Last week they traveled to Miami and took down previously undefeated True North Classical Academy. This week, they are home for Lecanto (4-3). Rodger’s identity for this team is defense. They have only given up 13 points one time this season and have two shutouts. It’s a tip of the cap to his staff who do an amazing job of scouting and preparing. They also run the ball from every angle, forcing you to stop them even if you know what’s coming. That attention to detail is why Bradford hasn’t been knocked from the unbeaten, and is king of the hill in week 9.
2. St. Augustine (6-0)
St. Augustine is the only undefeated team in St. Johns County, and have defeated big dogs Bartram and Nease. They are the deepest team offensively in Northeast Florida, and that’s a testament to Coach Brian Braddock and his staff. They have coached up a team of young players who have stayed in the same system and played together since youth football to become big time playmakers in high school. Brandon James brings the passion to the staff that resonates to the players. But confidence comes from the top and trickles down to the last number on the roster. That’s Braddock, and that’s St. Augustine. They’re at Gainesville (1-4) tonight.
3. Bartram Trail (4-4)
It’s a season of firsts for Bartram, and their new head coach Cory Johns is encountering alot of first things together with his team. The Bears have had an adustment period, full of highs and lows. Last week was a high, as they held Creekside to a season low 19 points in a 31-19 win over their rival. However last night was a low, as they fell to Buchholz 44-7. All in all, they are still a dominant force in Northeast Florida. Johns and his staff have been able to relate to their young players, and they have some young dynamic players starting already. As they grow together Bartram will get even better, unfortunately, they’ve needed them now as the team has suffered injuries to their starting quarterback. Still, Bartram is led by a senior runningback, and John’s identity has been to run the ball and play defense.
4. Ponte Vedra (6-1)
The coach of the year in Northeast Florida might be Steve Price of Ponte Vedra. The “Price is Right” in Ponte Vedra, as he’s turned around the program turning the team back into prominent winners. Price and his staff like to spread the ball around in the redzone to keep teams guessing. Amazingly 10 different players have scored for the Sharks on offense. They travel to Orange Park (3-4) today.
5. Creekside (3-4)
Sean McIntyre of Creekside is one of the best coaches in the entire state. Especially considering what he’s been able to accomplish turning the program around. In particular on offense, where the Knights have scored 230 points in 7 games this year. Comparatively, many other teams haven’t scored that many points in 8 games so far. That is McIntyre and his staff’s identity. Outscore the opponents, and put up big numbers on offense. What shouldn’t be remissed is Creekside’s crazy schedule, with a district of power house programs. Tonight they have Fleming Island (2-5) at home.
6. Mandarin (6-2)
Toby Bullock has put in his dues as an assistant coach, and now is doing a great job as a head coach at Mandarin. In just two seasons Bullock is 11-7, and is currently guiding the Mustangs to a potential second consecutive district title. Bullock is a bold presence in the locker room and on the sidelines. He speaks his mind, and so does his staff. Mandarin has a coaching staff that draws players attention because of that boldness. Players respect coaches that tell them the truth about themselves, and can ultimately get them to the next level in college. The Mustangs at 6-2 are on a bye this week.
7. Raines (6-1)
There is no slacking at Raines high school. The standard is the standard, and each team every year better win or else. That’s why Donovan Masline was the right man for the job a few seasons ago. He has set a standard of keeping a winning tradition alive, and that resonnates within the game. His players expect to win every game. Whether they were down to University Christian, or down to Riverside, the group likes to show up in big games. None bigger than the Northwest Classic, where the Vikings defeated Ribault last week 47-18. Masline has one of the best all around staffs in Florida, A diverse group of former players, former Vikings, young, old, black and white. It’s one of the reasons Raines has such a diverse set of playmakers on the team. This week they are home versus Atlantic Coast (4-3).
8. Fletcher (6-2)
When you’ve played at the highest level of the sport, nothing rattles you. You’ve seen virtually everything. Blowouts, comeback victories, improbable game changing plays, and injuries. There’s nothing that surprises you, and theres always a next man up. This is what Ciatrick Fason has brought to Fletcher this year. With his starting quarterback sidelined for the first half of the season, Fason and his staff still exhibited a steadiness that saw them go 2-1 in that span. They didn’t press the panic button, instead they pressed their way through. Now at 6-2, they can prepare for their next opponent First Coast, while on the bye week.
9. Riverside (6-2)
If you’re not careful, you might mistake Riverside’s head coach Antwan Nichols on the General’s sideline for someone else. He’s not boisterous, or bodacious, he is an extremely measured and “matter of fact” head coach. He doesn’t allow his team to get too high in wins, or too low in losses. As a matter of fact, when Riverside lost to Raines on a last second controversial play earlier this year, Nichols was one of the the first coaches to walk to midfield to shake hands with the opposing coaches. That loss motivated Riverside to travel to Trinity Christian and upset the Conquerors the very next week. Yet that win wasn’t enough to be satisfied with, as Nichols and his staff refocused the Generals to play against a good Jackson team. The result was a 47-8 blowout the following week. This week, Riverside is home versus Sandalwood (0-7)
10. Nease (5-3)
Coming in at #10 on the list is Nease. Led by head coach Collin Drafts, this team has improved every week, and is playing extremely competitive football. They defeated Flagler Palm Coast last week 58-43. At 5-3, Drafts and his staff have already doubled last year’s win total. What is most recognizable about this team, is the play of his quarterback Bryce Frick. Frick (1169yds passing, 14 TDs) is one of the top passers in the state. He’s built a great rapport with wide recevier Spencer Maddox (1088yds receving 14 TDs). This is the second time in three years that the former college quarterback has orchestrated a top tier passing combo with his quarterback and wide recevier.
Outside Looking In:
Trinity Christian (5-3), Columbia (3-4), Bolles (4-4), Ed White (4-3), Baker County (4-3),
