Bolles September 6th, Riverside September 13th, Nease September 20th, and Columbia September 27th. It will be a September to remember for St. Augustine as they face four playoffs teams from 2023 in a row that month.
It was a season to remember in 2023, as the Jackets advanced all the way to the state championship game. They would fall to Mainland 21-19 on a last second field goal. The loss would be the only one the Jackets would suffer last year.
For head coach Brian Braddock, it was his first trip to the championship as a head coach. Truly an experience to remember. Yet, last year is a distant memory as his team turns the page toward 2024 and the team that returns.
They return starting quarterback Locklan Hewlett, who passed for 2,712 yards, 23 TDs and 5 ints. Hewlett decommitted from Wake Forrest and committed to South Florida. The 3-star quarterback has been one of the top passers in the state the last couple of years.
With him returns starting 4-star wide receiver Carl Jenkins Jr. Jenkins tallied 1,172 receiving yards with 15 TDs. He was one of the top wide receivers in the state. Trenton Jones who was a big part of a passing game that combined for 37 receiving touchdowns on the year. Jones also eclipsed the century mark with 1,007 yards and 6 TDs.
Losing Myles Simmons at receiver to college was a big blow, but 4-star wide receiver Somourian Wingo takes his place. He’s a bigger receiver at 6 foot 3, and gives Hewlett another big target, one that’s bigger than Jenkins. This receiving core arguably the best in the state last year, may have just gotten better.
Defense loses a lot of key pieces like leading tackler Ja’kai Singleton and captain Drake Lusk. This is a concern seeing that they were responsible for most of St. Augustine’s tacklers last year. Where those tackles will come from this year depends on what defense is run.
St. Augustine is defensive back heavy with corner Braylon James returning. The rising senior led the team in interceptions (4). safety Jimmie Wheeler also returns, he tallied 2 interceptions last year. Strong Safety Kyon Wilcox had 3 sacks. Defensive Ends Brent Bell and Mike Wright return on the defensive line. While linebacker Matteo Bernardi is the man in the middle returning to sting opponents.
| Date | Opponent | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/23 | @Palatka | 7:00pm | |
| 8/30 | @Menendez | 7:00pm | |
| 9/6 | vsBolles | 7:00pm | |
| 9/13 | vsRiverside | 7:00pm | |
| 9/20 | vsNease | 7:00pm | |
| 9/27 | @Columbia* | 7:00pm | |
| 10/11 | vsClay* | 7:00pm | |
| 10/18 | @Bartram Trail | 7:00pm | |
| 10/25 | vsRidgeview* | 7:00pm | |
| 10/31 | @Mandarin | 6:30pm |
St. Augustine returns top talent in the country in an attempt to return to the state championship game. Their long time rivals Palatka is on deck for week one, a game that has traditionally been played late in the season.
