NORTH CENTRAL
( 2,484 yards passing). Sophomore QB Luke Matthews, son of
former University of Florida and NFL quarterback Shane Matthews, played when Christian was suspended last season and
is expected to be the starter going into fall practice. The elder
Matthews has also come across town from rival Buchholz to
become the Purple Hurricanes offensive coordinator. GHS
will also have some changes on defense, as former defensive
coordinator Cedderick Daniels took the head coaching job of
the Purple Hurricanes other city rival, Eastside, and took some
Gainesville assistants on both sides of the ball along with
him. Gainesville is switching from a 3-4 to a 4-2-5 defensive
scheme. Smith (98 tackles) will be one of the key returnees on
defense. Latsko likes the young talent and athleticism of his
team, and will rely on the offensive line to control the line of
scrimmage as they will have a big stable of running backs.
HAMILTON COUNTY (JASPER) TROJANS (1A- 5)
2015 RECORD: 4-6
THE COACH: Seth Stebbins
THE PLAYERS: Fay Reid (Sr., DE/OL), Melvin Brown (So.,
LB/WR), Javiel Jones (Jr., DB/WR), Mohammed Iqbal (Sr.,
OT), Ethan Stebbins (Sr., WR), Hunter Morgan (Jr., QB),
Bryce Harrell (Sr., OT), AJ Solomon (Sr., WR/DB), Keyvon
Webb (Sr., RB/LB), Zack Morgan (Sr., LB).
THE WORD: Hamilton County just missed out on its third
consecutive trip to the playoffs following a 20-14 overtime
loss to Jefferson County. Entering his second season,
Stebbins has nine players returning, including four on offense
and five on defense after graduating 15 players from the
2015 squad. Offensively, junior transfer Hunter Morgan is
expected to start the season as the quarterback, with Webb
and Jones the leading returning rushers from last year. Webb
had 225 yards and a touchdown as a freshman, while Jones
added 261 yards and a score as a sophomore. Solomon,
along with Brown and Stebbins, leads a talented group at
wide receiver. Reid ( 14 tackles, 8. 5 TFL, 1 sack) anchors the
Trojans young defensive line. Brown, Webb, and Zack Morgan
lead the linebacker corps, with Solomon and Jones expected
to key the Trojans secondary. Many of the defensive starters
though saw limited playing time a year ago. Madison County
should once again be the district favorite, but Hamilton County
can definitely contend with a playoff spot along with Jefferson
County, Lafayette, and Bell.
HAWTHORNE HORNETS (1A- 6)
2015 RECORD: 5-5
THE COACH: Cornelius Ingram
THE PLAYERS: Deonte Bowie (Sr. WR/OLB), Ethan Kelly
(Jr. OLB), Devin Lawrence (Jr. RB), Henzay Johnson (Sr. CB)
THE WORD: After three combined wins in the three
seasons prior to 2015, Ingram had the Hornets in the
thick of the playoff race in a tough district before losing
its last district game at home to Fort White. Hawthorne
also had one-point loss to P.K. Yonge and a four-point
setback in the final game against Keystone Heights. With
the quick progress last year in Ingram’s first season,
expectations are high as seven starters return, led by
returning leading rusher Lawrence (99 carries, 508 yards,
5 TD’s). Bowie is a leader on both sides of the ball with 185
yards receiving and a score as a receiver and 56 tackles
and a team-leading four sacks a year ago. He is joined on
the Hawthorne defense by Kelly, who led the Hornets with
84 tackles last season while adding two sacks and an
interception. Johnson is a double-threat at cornerback and
as a returner with two interceptions and 525 total return
yards. “With our school only having 250 kids, we depend on
a lot of our young guys to contribute to our program,” said
Ingram. “We used our spring to focus on fundamentals and
getting guys stronger.”
HERNANDO (BROOKSVILLE) LEOPARDS (5A- 7)
2015 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: Bill Vonada
THE PLAYERS: Scott Bierwiler (Sr., QB), Ygenio Booker
(Jr., DB/RB), Brad Ellis (Sr., LB/RB), Steve Geib (Sr., OL/DL),
Collin Pagels (Jr., OL/DL), Colin Roberts (Jr., OL/DL), Juan
Rodriguez (Sr., DB), Harry Williams (Sr., DL/RB)
THE WORD: With this being the third year learning the
system under Vonada, the Leopards expect to show
marked improvement. Bierwiler played in all 10 games last
season and gives the team experience under center. The
OL doesn’t return much starting experience, but many have
been a part of it for a while. Though slightly smaller than
last year, they should prove to be much quicker. The return
of several skill players on the offensive side of the ball will
help as well. Defensively, the team will return eight starters,
along with several others with extensive playing time. With
a good summer and some luck staying healthy, the team
should be competitive.
INTERLACHEN RAMS (4A- 3)
2015 RECORD: 1-9
THE COACH: Lantz Lowery
THE PLAYERS: Brennan Wykoff (Sr., QB/SS), Joel
Makatura (Sr., OL/DL), Deadrell Brown (Sr., DB/WR/RB),
Daniel Perez (Sr., DB/RB), Gabriel Denney (Sr., OL/DL), DJ
Hutchinson (Sr., FB/DL), Logan White (Sr., K/ WR)
THE WORD: The Rams will be much improved this season
as 10 starters return on an offense that averaged less than
10 points per game last year. “We are looking forward to
getting back on the field after an off-season spent in the
weight room,” said Lowery, who enters his second season at
the helm. “We will be young with many 9th and 10th graders
seeing plenty of playing time and we are expecting much
better leadership from our seniors.” Eight starters return on
defense, led by Wykoff, who led the team with 60 tackles in
2015. Brown ( 30 tackles, 4 INT) & Perez ( 29 tackles, 3 INT)
give the Rams a solid 1-2 punch in the secondary.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS INDIANS (4A- 3)
2015 RECORD: 7-3
THE COACH: Chuck Dickinson
THE PLAYERS: Michael Dickinson (Sr., OL), Matt White
(Sr., OL), Justin Raysin (Sr., LB/RB), Rian Prieto (Sr., FS/WR),
Nolin Robertson (Sr., OL), Taylor Beall (Sr., NG), Dan Dodd
(So., OL/DL), Sawyer Maxwell (Jr., DB/ WR)
THE WORD: The Indians are hoping last year’s third place
finish in the district and 7-win season will be a good motivator for the upcoming season under veteran coach Chuck
Dickinson, who begins his 18th season as head coach.
A total of six starters return on offense, including all five
offensive linemen. Three of them will be 3-year starters,
making the offensive front a team strength. Five starters
return on defense, including Raysin ( 73 tackles, 2 fumble
recoveries) and Prieto ( 61 tackles, 6 INT), who were two of
the top defenders last season. A lack of depth at certain
positions is a team weakness but the talent is still there to
compete for a district title.
LAFAYETTE (MAYO) HORNETS (1A- 5)
2015 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: Joey Pearson
THE PLAYERS: Dalton Clingan (Sr., DE), Julio Castillo (Sr.,
OL), Kendall Calhoun (Jr., LB), Elijah Hewitt (Jr., OL), Benton
Walker (Sr., ATH), Ben Massey (So., DB), Trevontae Clark
(Jr., DB), Eli Morgan (Jr., C)
THE WORD: The bad news is that the Hornets are coming
off of their first losing season in 20 years, and the first in Joey
Pearson’s 18 seasons at the helm. The good news is that they
return almost all of their key contributors from a year ago.
Lafayette brings back six starters on offense, and eight on
the defensive side of the ball. Walker (764 yards passing and
341 yards rushing) and Calhoun ( 76 tackles) are two of the
key returnees. Pearson feels that most of his skill players will
be young but that having four starters back on the offensive
line will help his squad bounce back quickly. “We have a
lot more experienced guys.” he said. “Last year we had 22
sophomores, but now they are 22 juniors. They are a year
older and we just feel like we really can get things going in the
right direction.” If the team hopes to improve on last season,
they will need to protect the ball better. The Hornets had 29
turnovers last year when no other team Pearson has coached
has ever had more than 20.
LAKE WEIR (OCALA) HURRICANES (6A- 5)
2015 RECORD: 5-6
THE COACH: Tim Hicks
THE PLAYERS: Davonte Jones (So., DE/TE), Kiderik
Thompson (Sr., WR/DB), Blake Minton (Sr., LB), Jordan
Stanley (Sr., OL), Dondre Green (Sr., RB/DB), Brian Dillard
(So., RB/DB), Marshawn Mister (So., WR/DB), Brandon
Randall (Sr., WR/DB), Jacob Russell (Sr., DE), Michael
Lombardo (Jr., QB)
THE WORD: After jumping out of the gates at 5-1 last
season, Lake Weir stumbled down the stretch. The
Hurricanes lost their final three district contests to miss the
postseason. While the team showed progress, humbling
defeats at the hands of Vanguard ( 68-18) and North Marion
( 74-6), showed the squad still has a long way to go. This
year’s team returns just two starters on offense and three
on defense. Coach Hicks, in this third season at the helm,
feels the team is young, but very talented. “If the kids work
hard in the weight room during the summer we will be fine
during the season. It is imperative that we get bigger and
stronger throughout the summer,” he said. “We will have a
solid defense and some athletes on offense so as long as
we execute and compete we should be able to play with the
teams on our schedule. I expect us to be more disciplined
than previous seasons and our special teams is going to be
a big positive for us this season.”
LECANTO PANTHERS (5A- 7)
2015 RECORD: 7-4
THE COACH: Greg Harper
THE PLAYERS: George Albert (Sr., S), Toriano (Pop) Mcphee
(Sr., RB/DB), Rudy Holton (Jr., RB/DB), Kyle Riemer (Sr., OL/
LB), Zach Ulseth (Sr., OL/LB), Sidney Berkey (Jr., OL/DL),
Ashtonn Pauris (Sr., DE), Carter Bryson (Sr., WR/DB), Darren
Rivera (Jr, TE/DE), Tanner Brenneman (Sr., RB/LB)
THE WORD: Lecanto returns 14 starters, including seven on
each side of the ball, from a squad that put together the best
season in school history in Coach Harper’s third season on the
sidelines. The Panthers went 5-1 in district play and went to
the state playoffs for just the second time ever. The squad will
be hoping a third postseason trip will be in store for the 2016
campaign. They have a lot of experienced players returning on
both offense and defense, including Albert, who led the team
last year with 106 tackles. Harper hopes to earn a district title
this time around after finishing just one game behind Nature
Coast Tech last year. If they want to fulfill that goal, they will have
to do so against the same lineup as last season, as 5A-District 7
remains unchanged with the same seven teams competing for
the title this year. The non-district schedule includes games with
Umatilla, Dunnellon, Williston, and Fort White.
NATURE COAST (BROOKSVILE) SHARKS (5A- 7)
2015 RECORD: 12-1
THE COACH: Justin Worden
THE PLAYERS: Matthew Robinson (Sr., LB), William Coffey
(Jr., RB), Brian Haygood (Sr., QB), Michael Weston (So., RB),
Trevor Gamble (Sr., LB), Nico Devito (Sr., OL)
THE WORD: The Sharks made their first trip to the state
playoffs since 2009 thanks to running back Deshawn
Smith, a Parade All-American who led the nation with 3,676
yards following a season-ending loss to Clay (Green Cove
Springs) in the regional final. He had 67 touchdowns in
2015, including games with six TDs three times and one
game with seven. While that can’t be replaced, Worden
said the running back position this season will be a team
strength. “We have a handful of guys with experience
returning both at tailback and H back,” he said. “We have
good size and strength within this position.” Coffey (394
yards rushing) and Haygood ( 1,200 total yards) bring
experience to the offensive backfield. Robinson (142
tackles), a former wide receiver, has been dominant for a
defense which returns five starters, including Gamble ( 69
tackles), who led the team with six sacks. The front seven
will be experienced, plus the kicker and punter return. That
adds up to a second consecutive playoff appearance for
the Sharks.
NEWBERRY PANTHERS (1A- 7)
2015 RECORD: 6-4
THE COACH: Richard Vester (1st Year)
THE PLAYERS: Ja’len Parks (Sr., OL/DL), Cory Durden (Sr.,
OL/DL), Garry Mitchell (MLB/ TE), Trei Leonardo (Sr., DB/
RB), Curtis Clevinger (Sr., OLB/WR), Elijah Franklin (Jr., DB/
WR), John Strawder (Sr., OL/DL), Tanner Fowler (Jr., DB/
WR/QB), Chris Washington (Jr., OLB/FB), Jacquez Jernigan
(Sr., RB/OLB)
THE WORD: Vester brings 17 years of coaching experience
to the job, most recently with stints as assistant at Baker
and Madison County. He says of his new team, “The 2016
Newberry Panthers are a hard working great group of young
men that have done everything we have asked of them up
to this point. We have 17 seniors and are expecting a lot
of production and leadership from them.” Jernigan, who
had a team-leading 477 yards rushing, and FSU commits
Parks ( 6’ 4, 297) & Durden ( 6’ 4, 283), who will anchor the
defensive line, are key returnees. “Anytime you have a new
coach and new systems it takes a little while to get things
oiled and running smoothly but they have bought in to the
process and are getting better daily,” Vester said. “They
have high expectations and are working to accomplish their
goals so we are looking forward to a fun and exciting year
from them.” If the Panthers hope to reach the postseason
they will have to do it in a district loaded with talent,
including defending state champion Trenton & 2014 state
semifinalist Dixie County.
NORTH MARION (CITRA) COLTS (5A- 6)
2015 RECORD: 10-2
THE COACH: Willie Offord (1st year)
THE PLAYERS: Blake Vinson (Sr., OL), Jeremiah Stafford (Sr.,
OL), Jarrod Alexander (Sr., TE/ WR), KJ Minter (Sr., QB), Jordyn
Riley (Sr., DB/ WR), Markel Glover (Sr., WR/RB), Tyriq Best (Sr.,
CB/S), Jalen Patterson (Jr., RB/DB), KJ Kinsler (Jr., S), Mikey
Henderson (Jr., DB/ WR), Antwan Williams (Jr., MLB)
THE WORD: The Colts advanced to their 16th straight
postseason last year but for the fourth time in the past
five years, they will have a different coach in 2016 as
Offord takes over for Stephen Field, who stepped down to
pursue college coaching opportunities. Despite the loss of
quarterback Caleb Seiler, running back Cam Mackey and
wide receiver Freddie Swain, who were the leaders for an
offense that averaged 40. 6 points per game, the cupboard
is not bare. Vinson ( 6’ 5, 295), a Clemson commit, anchors
the offense line along with Stafford ( 6’ 4, 300). Patterson,
a Miami commit, should have an expanded role on offense
with the loss of Justin Watkins, who transferred to country
rival Vanguard. Minter, who played quarterback at Eastside
(Gainesville), transferred in and is receiving offers, along
with Alexander, Riley and Glover. FAMU has offered Best,
Henderson & Williams, who will have large roles on the
defensive side of the ball. “This season we are looking to
uphold the tradition here at North Marion,” said Offord,
a former safety in the NFL who noted the loss of 13 key
players on National Signing Day. “We are optimistic about
our schedule and our upcoming season as we are excited
about some younger players who haven’t played much.”
OAK HALL (GAINESVILLE) EAGLES
(INDEPENDENT)
2015 RECORD: 7-2
THE COACH: Matthew DiBernardo
THE PLAYERS: Chase Trunnell (Sr., LB/RB), Matthew
Armstrong (Jr., QB), Matthew Armstrong (Jr., QB), TJ Young
(So., WR), Cameron Phillips (Sr., LB/WR), Casey Cohrs (Sr.,
OL/DL), Dillon Whittle (Sr., OL/DL), Chance Mayo (Sr., DB/
WR), Jackson Carey (Sr., DE/RB), Ivan Kuznetsov (Sr., DL/
OL), Trent Philips (Sr., DB)
THE WORD: Coming off of a 7-2 season, Coach DiBinardo
feels there is a great deal of expectation both on and off
the field in Gainesville for Oak Hall. And why should there
not be? The Eagles return 20 starters, with 10 on each
side of the ball. “It is important that we do not shy away
from these expectations, while also understanding that
matching or improving on last year’s success will be a
difficult task. We will not find success by just showing up,
we will need to work for everything that we get,” said the
second-year head coach. The Eagles went through some
rough times priors to the 2015 campaign, and the man
roaming the sidelines understands that. “We have a senior
group that only won two games in their first two years in the
program and they have to remember where they came from
and apply that work ethic they used to get to 7-2 and build
upon that foundation,” he said. Armstrong had a strong
season on the ground with 511 yards and 13 touchdowns,
to go with his nine passing touchdowns and one interception (on a Hail Mary attempt).
