The First Coast Buccaneers are coming off a season that featured them in the Class 8A Regional Finals. Just two years removed from the state championship loss in 2011, the Bucs are ready to do what only the 1997 Raines Vikings have done in the area. Be a Duval County Public School and win a State title. First Coast has every means of accomplishing this feat. Led by Coach Marty Lee, the team has a unique arsenal of highly recruited talent. On offense the team is led by Sr. OT William Sweet, and SR. QB Deandre Johnson. Can you believe Johnson is a senior? It seemed like yesterday that this dynamic freshman, who played middle school football at Landmark, and youth football with the Jax Beach Jaguars, was leading his team to the state championship game. Now as a senior, Johnson knows that it takes more than just talent to go the distance.
“We’re looking for team chemistry from the snap of the ball, as soon as the ref blows the whistle we want to click on all cylinders” .
-Deandre Johnson
Sweet described it like the movie drum line, ” One band one sound”. He says, ” the motto is Do Your Job. If everybody do their job we have a great QB back there, we got great athletes at receiver, just give them time and let them do their thing”. William has learned a lot from his playing days at Kirby Smith on Jacksonville’s East Side. The 6ft 6inch offensive tackle now protects the blind side of Ocean Way’s playmaker DeAndre Johnson. The Buccaneer offense will be directed by former NFL QB Cleo Lemon. Coach Lemon played his high school football in Mississippi but has made Jacksonville his home. He and the other assistant coaches are eager to help the First Coast student athletes achieve greatness this season.
As potent as the Buccaneers offense is expected to be, its their defense that may ultimately put them over the top. They are a fiery band of brothers with intensity and fight! Duval Sports observed this first hand at practice.
They are led by arguably the highest LB recruit in Jacksonville, Sherrod Pittman. The 6-foot 1-inch 215-pound LB looks like he was made to play the position. But these looks are anything but deceiving, as Pittman’s play has earned him several offers from colleges including well stacked programs like South Carolina.
Other notable players include:
SR. Tristan Payton WR
SR. Calvin Stokes LB
JR. Billy Gaines S
Schedule
FHSAA: 8A VARSITY FOOTBALL: REGION 01 – DISTRICT 01
DATE TIME OPPONENT / EVENT VENUE R
08/29/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Jean Ribault High School Jean Ribault High School *
09/05/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Duncan U. Fletcher High School Jack Taylor Stadium
09/12/2014 7:00 PM EDT William M. Raines High School BUCCANEER FIELD
09/26/2014 7:00 PM EDT Atlantic Coast High School BUCCANEER FIELD
10/03/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Mandarin High School Mandarin High Football Stadium *
10/10/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Andrew Jackson High School Tiger Stadium
10/17/2014 7:00 PM EDT Flagler Palm Coast High School BUCCANEER FIELD *
10/24/2014 7:30 PM EDT at West Port High School West Port High School Stadium *
10/30/2014 7:00 PM EDT Sandalwood High School BUCCANEER FIELD *
11/06/2014 7:00 PM EST Ed White High School BUCCANEER FIELD
First Coast plays a brutal schedule within the city. In particular, a three game stretch of games in which they play Fletcher, Raines, and Atlantic Coast will prove a tremendous test. The good news is they end the season with two straight home games……( I’m sure you knew there was bad news coming) ……….. The bad news is they will face two playoff teams from last year in Sandalwood and Ed White.
Outlook:
First Coast will once again be one of the top programs in the area. Though they compete in one of the toughest divisions in the state, the Buccaneers will ride their talented group of players at the direction of a great coaching staff to another division title.
Special Thanks to First Coast High School, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Marty Lee, and the entire football staff.
