Fuel - Friday Night Football Florida 2013

OLYMPIC HEIGHTS LIONS (7A- 13) 2012 RECORD: 7-3 THE COACH: Kevin Fleury THE PLAYERS: Richard Thompson (Sr., QB/DB), William Ra-mos (Sr., OL/LB), Anthony Alejo (Jr., LB), Jefferson Guerrier (Sr., OL/DL), Phillip Baroski (Sr., WR/DB) THE WORD: Thompson has Division I potential as an athlete and has excellent academics. However, this is going to be a major rebuilding year at the Boca Raton school. “We’re so young. I’ve never had a team this young,” said Fleury, who coached Palm Beach Gardens to a state championship in 2005. The Lions will have three sophomores who played on the JV team last season starting on defense. They will be playing in a strong district that includes state power Dwyer, too. “It’s going to be tough,” Fleury said.

PAHOKEE BLUE DEVILS (3A- 7) 2012 RECORD: 4-5 THE COACH: Blaze Thompson THE PLAYERS: Jay Hopson (Sr., QB/ATH), Rashawn Croney (Sr., ATH), Antwan Paige (Sr., LB), Dontrel Johnson (Sr., CB), McArthur Burnett (Fr., RB), Malik Thornton (Jr., WR), Amari Engram (So., DL), Derry Brown (Sr., DB), Jonathan Jordan (Sr., ATH) THE WORD: This was a small-school powerhouse when the Blue Devils won five state titles from 2003-’08, but they have struggled the past three years. However, things appear to be turning around. Hopson, who has offers from Marshall and Florida Atlantic, rushed for three touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils to a 35-0 win against Wellington in their spring game. Croney is a very athletic and elusive player who also is attracting offers from Division I schools.

PALM BEACH CENTRAL BRONCOS (8A- 10)

2012 RECORD: 8-3

THE COACH: Rod Harris

THE PLAYERS: Kc McDermott (Sr., OL), Thomas McDonald (Sr., RB), Rudy St. Germain (Sr., WR), Andrew Prince (Jr., WR), Ka-mar Downer (Jr., RB), Jhnard Dorsett (Sr., DB), Trinton Hanson (Sr., DB), Conor Giragos (Sr., OL), Luis Peguero (Jr., QB) THE WORD: The Broncos are coming off the most successful season in the program’s 10-year history that included their first district title and first playoff win. McDermott is one of the top offensive line prospects in the state and has made a verbal commitment to Miami. McDonald, who scored 14 touchdowns last season, is a breakaway threat in the backfield and the team picked up a key transfer in Peguero, who started at Lake Worth in 2012, to guide what will be a balanced offensive attack. The defense returns six starters.

PALM BEACH GARDENS GATORS (8A- 9) 2012 RECORD: 7-3 THE COACH: Rob Freeman THE PLAYERS: J.P. Caruso (Sr., QB), Corbin Finlayson (Sr., OL), Greg Jackson (Sr., DB), Caleb Perez (Sr., OLB/TE), A. J. Shipman (Sr., WR-DB), Te’Von Coney (Jr., LB), Mario Brown (Sr., WR), Tommy Monday (Jr. RB) THE WORD: The Gators graduated some key performers from last year’s team, including four starters on the offensive line and their top wide receiver. Caruso is a three-year starter at quarterback and his experience will be counted on to lead an offense filled with first-year starters. A strong running game has been a staple of this program, but that might change this season. “We anticipate being more pass-oriented than in recent years,” coach Freeman said. The linebacking corps, led by Perez, is very athletic and will be the team’s best strength.

PALM BEACH LAKES RAMS (7A- 13) 2012 RECORD: 1-9

THE COACH: Willie Snead

THE PLAYERS: Stefan Louis (Sr., DB), Wesly Brooks (Sr., OL), Gael Vernet (Sr., OL), Gaeton Vernet (Sr., OL) THE WORD: This was a winning program in the 1990s, but in recent years it has struggled and has won only four games combined in the past three seasons. Snead, who returned to his home county last year to take over the Rams’ program, coached Glades Central to a state championship in 2006, so he knows what it takes to construct a winner if he can find some players. The schedule is not kind, as the Rams are in the same district as state power Dwyer and playoff contenders Atlantic and Royal Palm Beach.

PARK VISTA COBRAS (8A- 10) 2012 RECORD: 8-2 THE COACH: Brian Dodds THE PLAYERS: Marques Gayot (Sr., SS), Qwad Martin (Sr., QB), Renard Cheren (Sr., LB), Emmanuel Smith (Sr., DB/WR/ RS), Jametrius Bentley (Sr., RB), Dalton Barkman (Sr., FS/ WR), C.J. Armstrong (Sr., LB/FB) THE WORD: The Cobras are talented at the skill positions, including returning quarterback Martin. The defense will feature an experienced linebacker corps and secondary, which will be anchored by 6-foot- 2, 205-pound strong safety Gayot, a starter since his freshman year who has made a verbal commitment to Louisville. The biggest area of concern is on the defensive line where there will be three new starters. There are also two new starters on the offensive line, but Bentley is an excellent running back. Smith is a two-way player with 4. 4 speed and a 40-inch vertical.

POPE JOHN PAUL II EAGLES (IND.) 2012 RECORD: 8-2

THE COACH: Matt Dillon

THE PLAYERS: DeQuan McGriff (Sr., RB/DB), R.J. Rizk (Jr., QB), Kieran Leen (Sr., OL/DL), Joe Giacamoro (Sr., OL/DL), Antonio Cartegena (Jr., RB/DB), Bryce Segui (Jr., WR/DE), Carmine Giuffrida (Jr., ATH), Bake Rayner (Sr., ILB/FB) THE WORD: The Eagles took a major hit during spring drills when highly touted wide receiver Will Jeanlys sustained an ACL injury that will rob him of his senior season. The versatile 6-foot- 2, 180-pound Jeanlys, who also was a starting free safety, averaged 27 yards a catch and scored touchdowns six different ways during his junior season, so he will be sorely missed. Nonetheless, coach Dillon believes Rizk will have a breakout year at QB and that McGriff, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, will provide a strong running game that will enable the Eagles to have another winning season.

ROYAL PALM BEACH WILDCATS (7A- 13) 2012 RECORD: 6-4 THE COACH: Willie Bueno THE PLAYERS: Jimmy Moreland (Sr., QB), Charles Perry (Jr., RB/LB), Demarcus Holloway (Jr., RB/LB), Alon Sims (Sr., RB/ LB), Zeke Edmunds (Sr., RB/LB), Derick Python (Jr., WR/DB), Warren Lewis (Sr., WR/DB), Anthony James (Sr., TE/LB), Josh Wilson (Sr., OL/DL) THE WORD: The Wildcats have eight returning starters on defense, which allowed only 10 points in their spring game victory against Palm Beach Gardens. The offense will be spearheaded by Moreland, a mobile athletic quarterback, and Perry, a Division I prospect. Coach Bueno’s biggest concern is an inexperienced offensive line. “I think defensively we’re going to be pretty good,” Bueno said. “We had a real productive spring. I think we got better and we found out about some players.” They’ll be a playoff contender in a tough district that includes state power Dwyer.

SANTALUCES CHIEFS (8A- 10) 2012 RECORD: 6-4 THE COACH: Daryl Drinkwater THE PLAYERS: Darrell Langham (Sr., WR), Bernard Eberhart (Sr., ATH), Luis Martinez (Sr., QB), Wilder Cossier (Sr., SS), Peterson St. Louis (Jr., FS), Jean Gabriel (Sr., LB/SS), Troy Steele (Sr., C), Javaris Riley (Sr., CB) THE WORD: The Chiefs move up a class to 8A and return 10 starters, five on each side of the ball. Langham, who is 6-foot- 5, is a major Division I prospect with offers from Miami, FSU and Clemson to name three. “The guy’s a freak,” coach Drinkwater said of Langham, who is one of three receivers at least 6-2 or taller. “We’ve got some real good size at the skill positions.” The offensive line will be strong with three returning starters and the secondary might be the best in the district, but the front defensive seven are inexperienced.

SEMINOLE RIDGE HAWKS (8A-9A) 2012 RECORD: 8-3 THE COACH: Scott Barnwell THE PLAYERS: E.J. Elien (Sr., RB), Troy Artiles (Sr., C), Pernell Rattray (Sr., WR), Zach Decosta (Sr., QB), Joe Melendez (Sr., LB), Allimu Adelakun (Sr., DL), Issac Esson (Sr., CB), Jalen Young (Jr., ATH), Kerrith Whyte (Jr., RB), Mark Jason (Sr., OL) THE WORD: Coach Barnwell takes over for Matt Dickmann, who built the program from scratch into an annual playoff contender. Elien rushed for 788 yards last year despite sharing the load with two other backs. The Hawks graduated several standouts on defense, but there’s still talent at the skill positions on both sides of the ball. Young is a Division I prospect who already has three offers heading into his junior year. Barnwell said his biggest concern is a lack of depth on both the offensive and defensive line.

SPANISH RIVER SHARKS (8A- 10) 2012 RECORD: 0-10 THE COACH: Bill Ceasar THE PLAYERS: Eric Bolic (Sr., LB), Jordan Henry (Jr., LB), Ben Romer (Sr., QB), Carlson Ipinski (Sr., DB), Nixon Casmir (Sr., RB/DB), Ethan Morris (Sr., OT), Cameron Huggins (Jr., LB) THE WORD: Ceasar returns to his alma mater to take over a program that has struggled for several years. Romer has a strong arm and also poses a threat to run, but he missed most of spring practices after sustaining a leg injury. “We’re a young team and he is a big part of our offense, so that really hurt us in spring, but he’ll be back in the fall,” coach Ceasar said. The Sharks’ strongest suit will be the linebacker corps, led by Bolic, who is receiving interest from Division I schools.

ST. ANDREW’S SCOTS (IND.) 2012 RECORD: 2-7 THE COACH: Corey Riley THE PLAYERS: Dylan Richman (Sr., QB), Jesse Kolinac (Sr., LB/SS), Jake Bargas (So., TE/DE), Alex Schneider (Sr., WR/ DB), Max Mahfood (Fr., C), Victor Alvarez (Fr., LB/TE) THE WORD: The Scots, who last season joined the independent Southeastern Football Conference, will feature an up-tempo spread offense behind Richman, who coach Riley believes has the potential to play at the next level. There will be several first-time starters as only six starters return from last year’s team. “Size and speed will hurt us,” Riley said of his team. “We’re also lacking experience at running back, but we have a hard-working offensive line.”

SUNCOAST CHARGERS (6A- 15) 2012 RECORD: 2-8 THE COACH: Jim Clark THE PLAYERS: Santigie Fornah (Sr., QB/DB), Matt Weiner (Sr., OT), Jeremy Kennedy (Sr., WR), Jahquavius Wallace (Sr., RB/DB), La Tavius Lawson (Sr., LB), Dylan Hacki-Alfonso (Sr., LB), Troy Healy (Sr., C), Jamari Bozeman (Jr., FS), Marquavius Gibbs (Jr., CB), Roberto Nieves (Jr., CB) THE WORD: The Chargers lose only three starters from last year and return all of their skill position players and linebackers. Three of their losses in 2012 were by a touchdown or less, and coach Clark emphasized finishing games during spring practices. Clark said Fornah, Weiner and Kennedy have been receiving interest from Division I programs. The team lacks depth, so any key injuries will hurt. The major area of concern is the defensive line, which graduated three starters. Clark is optimistic, however, and the team’s slogan is “Our time is now.”

VILLAGE ACADEMY TIGERS (2A- 7) 2012 RECORD: 4-6

THE COACH: Donald Hanna

THE PLAYERS: Tre’Quan Smith (Sr., WR/DB), Kevin Bronson (Sr., DL), Wesley Michel (Sr., SS/ WR), Shawndarrius Phillips (So., RB/LB), Thomas Neal (So., CB/WR), Joseph Payton (Jr., DL/OL), Raheem Colin (Sr., DL/OL), Moses Bataeille (Sr., DL/OL)

THE WORD: Smith is a Division I prospect who earned All-State honors last season when he snagged 41 catches for 1,036 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s also a playmaker in the secondary where he had five interceptions in 2012. The graduation of All-State quarterback Larry Brihm is a major void to fill, but there’s plenty of speed at the other skill positions. The offensive and defensive lines are solid, but improvement must be made on defense, which was torched for more than 30 points in all of the Tiger’s losses last season.

WELLINGTON WOLVERINES (8A- 9) 2012 RECORD: 4-6

THE COACH: Thomas Abel

THE PLAYERS: Thomas Oporto (Sr., LB), Shamar Jackson (Jr., DB), Danik Duffus (Sr., RB), Darley Cazeau (Sr., RB), Kemar Downer (Jr., QB), Devin Gilette (Sr., LB), Nick Rubinowicz (Jr., PK)

THE WORD: Rubinowicz made eight field goals, including a 42-yarder, last season and half of his 26 kickoffs were touchbacks. The Wolverines busted out of the gate last season and won their first three games, but then the bottom fell out and they went on a six-game losing streak. Their district might not be as strong at the top this season, but the Wolverines will need to improve to contend for the district title.

WEST BOCA RATON BULLS (7A- 13) 2012 RECORD: 3-6 THE COACH: Willie Dodaro THE PLAYERS: Gerald Ferguson (Sr., DE/LB), Joe Dallian (Jr., DL), Paul Columbo (Sr., QB), Bryan Holenweger (Sr., OL/DL), Jerrod Ferguson (So., RB), Aaron Robinson (So., RB/FS) THE WORD: The Bulls expect to have a strong defensive unit this season, but depth is a concern for coach Dodaro, who had only 42 players out for spring drills. “We’ve just got to get something going on offense,” Dodaro said. “Columbo can throw well, but we’re tiny. We’re real young.” The schedule is not kind as the Bulls play in a very tough district that includes state power Dwyer and playoff contenders Atlantic and Royal Palm Beach.