” Battle Tested” is a term normally used for those teams that have endured rigorous schedules. The 2014-2015 Buccaneers were truly battled tested in this right facing teams like Raines, Ed White, Fletcher, and Apopka last year. Yet the 2015-2016 Bucs are battle tested as well, but for other reasons. They were tested before they even laced up their cleats to play. In April of this year, the Buccaneers lost teammate and friend Johnnel Johnson who was gunned down at a Prom after party in Arlington. Just a month later, the school lost another student in May who was a victim of gun violence at a prayer vigil for Johnson at Sheffield Park. The news would shake the entire student body, and the Jacksonville community as a whole. But the Buccaneers have rallied around one another and reinforced a team goal that they’ve always promoted…
“always be the best man you can be, on and off the field!”
Being the best means that you have to beat the best, and Head Coach / Athletic Director Marty Lee scheduled the best for his football team this year.
” Somebody asked, coach why are we playing Miami Central , because it makes you a better football team.” Miami Central is one of three prime time opponents the Buccaneers will travel to this year including Raines, and Columbia. But Coach Lee isn’t worried about the overall record of his team. “We want to win the state playoffs. Going undefeated means nothing.Three years ago we went undefeated and lost in the first round of the playoffs. The Gateway conference is important, but not as important as the district”. Last year the Buccaneers made a magical run but lost to the eventual State Champions the Apopka Blue Darters. Learning how to deal with adversity is a lesson First coast can learn from the team that defeated them last year. Apopka lost four of their first six ballgames, but still went on to win the championship.They clicked at the right time, something the Bucs hope they can do this season.
Roster
| 2 | Champ Desue | WR | Sr. | 6-2 | 187 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Daryl Lewis | RB, SB | Sr. | 5-5 | 150 |
| 6 | Malik Douglas | WR, QB | Sr. | ||
| 6 | Miles Kelly | WR, SB | Sr. | 6-0 | 170 |
| 7 | Khalil Bryant | SS, CB | Sr. | 5-11 | 190 |
| 8 | Quentin Montgomery | FS, SS | Jr. | 5-10 | 165 |
| 9 | Keon Wise | SS | Sr. | 6-2 | 180 |
| 10 | Kevin Stepherson | WR, QB | Sr. | 6-3 | 180 |
| 15 | Camron Montgomery | QB | Sr. | 6-3 | 175 |
| 20 | Joshua Rivers | FS, SS | Sr. | 5-11 | 160 |
| 21 | Ivan Foster | SS, CB | Sr. | 5-8 | 170 |
| 22 | Tito Mallory | WR | Sr. | 6-0 | 205 |
| 28 | Charles Toliver | RB, FB | Sr. | 5-8 | 165 |
| 31 | Kerry Granger | FS, CB | Sr. | 150 | |
| 32 | Xavier Jackson | DE | Sr. | 6-3 | 230 |
| 33 | Louis King | MLB, DE | 6-0 | 205 | |
| 42 | Scott Dollison | DT | Sr. | 6-0 | 235 |
| 51 | Shawn Wiley | DT, DE | Jr. | 6-3 | 255 |
| 52 | Jaylen Joyner | DE, DT | So. | 6-3 | 220 |
| 53 | Tony Nguyen | C, G | Sr. | 5-9 | 276 |
| 56 | Myles Hicks | DT, DE | Sr. | 6-1 | 225 |
| 57 | Torrence Bonsell | G | Sr. | 6-2 | 290 |
| 66 | Doug Connell | C, DT | Sr. | 6-3 | 290 |
| 71 | Javonte Leach | T, G | Sr. | 6-2 | 281 |
| 75 | Kenton Tucker | DE, DT | Jr. | 6-4 | 242 |
| 76 | Michael Stephens | DE, DT | Sr. | 6-3 | 220 |
| 77 | Dallas Connell | T, G | Sr. | 6-3 | 275 |
| 80 | Brian Anderson | CB | Jr. | ||
| 81 | Destyn Campbell | WR, QB | Jr. | 6-3 | 190 |
| 83 | Keion Johnson | WR | Sr. | 6-0 | 165 |
| Colin Welka | Jr. | ||||
| Jamal Walker | |||||
| Jaylon Sapp | DB/WR | ||||
| Kdarius Sampson | So. | ||||
| Tommy Brown | RB | Sr. | 5-9 | 162 |
The Bucs have customarily been a high flying passing team and this year will be no different. Led by Notre Dame commit #10 Kevin Stepherson at Wide Receiver, the group will again be one of the best in the state. Fellow wide out #2 Champ Desue will provide added play making ability to a unit that seems to be loaded with depth and talent. Defensive End Xavier Jackson will command a front that will look to pressure teams a little more this year, especially in the playoffs. Kalil Bryant ( Indiana commit) will captain a secondary that should make plays on opposing receivers, especially since they pracice against some of the best in the area. Jaylon Sapp (Marshall commit) is the wild card in the deck, able to switch to any side of the ball for all three phases of the game. Doug Connell (FIU commit) will anchor an offensive line that will rely on its athleticism to stifle opponents.
2014 Recap & 2015 Outlook
8A Standings District 1
Losing many key starters like D.J Mathews(Trinity) , Deandre Johnson (graduation), and Tristan Payton (graduation) has many believing the current Bucs won’t achieve the same success as last year’s squad. Yet Coach Lee begs to differ. “A lot of people are underestimating us.. That’s a bad mistake because we’re going to come out and play hard every week”. Last year’s team ran like a shiny blue convertible, with Coach Lee sitting in the passenger seat. This year’s team is more like a semi-tractor trailer with Coach Lee in the drivers seat. Gaining speed and momentum the longer they stay on the road. First Coast is not concerned about how fancy they look during the regular season, they’re more focused on the long haul.
Special Thanks to Coach Marty Lee and the First coast Buccaneers
