the key west citizen the key west citizen

Transcription

PREP FOOTBALL ’14
THE KEY WEST CITIZEN ◆ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014
401736 FB
Domestic violence
and sexual assault
can happen to anyone,
anywhere. And it’s
never the victim’s fault.
It’s time we all speak out
to stop the violence.
“NOT AT THIS SCHOOL”
No more excuses.
No more silence.
No more violence.
PREP FOOTBALL ’14: KEY WEST
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014
◆
3
Table of Contents
Key West High School Conchs ............................. 4-8
Marathon High School Dolphins ....................... 9-13
Player photo collage, quotes & polls ..............14-15
Coral Shores High School Hurricanes ............16-21
2014 Prep Football Player Photos ...................22-23
Island Christian High School Eagles ..............25-26
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◆
RESTORING CONCH PRIDE Key West High Schedule
Key West ready to move past one-win year
BY J.W. COOKE
Citizen Staff Writer
KEY WEST — Coming off a
one-win season the Key West
High football is eager to get
back on the field. With a
solid core of seniors to go
along with the potential of a strong freshman
class, coach Jonny Hughes
said he believes the Conchs
can restore a little bit of pride
in the program during their
first season in the Gold Coast
Football Conference.
“There is an excitement
here,” said Hughes. “Do the
right thing was the mantra all
summer, so we should be ready
for this year.”
Fourteen seniors grace the
Conchs’ roster this season. With
returning starters at many of the
skill positions, Hughes said he thinks that
Key West once again will be one of the top
yardage gaining teams in the state.
“I think yardage wise we should be
up there again,” said Hughes. Our
rushing total may not be the same,
but that’s because our passing
totals will also be up.”
OFFENSE
That depth begins at running back which begins with
the Conchs’ first 1,000-yard rusher
in 17 years Mekhi Sargent, who ran
for 1,061 yards last season. He will
be joined by seniors Dorian Cannon
and Jeffery Anilus. Hughes said they
all will add different elements to the
gameplan. Freshman Deangelo Rivas
will also be getting carries.
“I think any one of them can step up
at any time and be the guy,” said Hughes.
“Mekhi was the guy last year, and we’ve
seen before that Dorian can be the
Friday, Aug. 29
Friday, Sept. 5
Friday, Sept. 19
Friday, Sept. 26
Friday, Oct. 3
Friday, Oct. 10
Friday, Oct. 17
Friday, Oct. 24
Friday, Oct. 31
Friday, Nov. 7
Friday, Nov. 14
Keys Gate
University School
North Broward Prep*
@ Oxbridge Academy*
@ Pembroke Pines Charter*
@ Belen
@ Archbishop McCarthy*
Inlet Grove*
Coral Glades* (Homecoming)
GCFC Playoffs
GCFC Championship Game
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
4 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
TBA
TBA
* CONFERENCE GAMES
guy and he’s bigger strong and faster now.
Jeffery is a home run guy and every time he
touches the ball can surprise you.”
Adding to the offensive firepower this
year, senior quarterback Andrew Freeman
will be the first returning signal caller under
Hughes. The coach said that Freeman is
faster, bigger, stronger and with the extra
year of experience he understands the system better and what the Conchs are out to
See CONCHS, page 7
2014 KEY WEST HIGH FOOTBALL ROSTER
No. PLAYER NAME
1 Sargent, Mekhi
2 Freeman, Andrew
3 Anilus, Jeffery
4 Luna, Christian
5 Cannon, Dorian
6 Graveline, Sam
7 Rivas, Deangelo
8 Cleaver, Michael
9 Daley-Dixon, Daniel
11 Shadduck, Josh
12 Hughes, Carson
13 Roberts, Steven
14 Howard, Alvin
16 Kennedy, Neil
18 Wynn, Abrian
20 Rodriguez, Richard
21 Alvarez, Damien
POSITION GRADE
RB / SS
11
QB
12
RB / CB
12
QB / DB
10
RB / DE / LB
12
K
12
RB / DB / LB
9
QB
10
WR / DE
12
WR / FS
12
QB
9
LB
12
QB / WR
9
WR / CB
9
WR / LB
9
WR / DB
12
CB / WR
9
No. PLAYER NAME
22 Carson-Emily, Victor
23 Marius, Laurence
24 Smith, William
25 Cassis, Benny
26 Mompoint, Donovan
27 Deralus, Jodel
28 Brown, Chris
30 Hall, Shiloh
31 Mann, John
32 Williams, Ellis
33 Fisher, Denzel
34 Smith, Terrance
39 Ashe, Montrel
40 Kelleher, Kolby
42 Turney, Lon
44 Henriquez, Anthony
46 Ortiz, Peter
POSITION GRADE
LB / WR
12
CB / WR / RB
12
DE
12
RB / LB
10
RB / DB
9
RB / LB
10
RB / LB
10
WR / DB
11
RB / LB
11
LB
11
DE
12
DE
11
RB / DE
11
LB / RB
9
WR
11
LB / RB
12
LB
11
No. PLAYER NAME
48 Davey, Jace
50 Barnett, Phillip
51 Gregurich, William
54 Glover, Jayden
55 Hughes, Zack
56 Estevez, Peter
57 Horne, Karon
58 Age, Matthew
61 Burke, Dylan
70 Archer, Isaac
72 Curry, Connor
73 Torres, Ty
74 Fletchall, Cameron
76 Douvier, Dawson
77 Edwards, JoJo
Langston, Kaleb
Latala, Adrian
POSITION GRADE
DB / RB
9
DE
12
OL / LB
11
OL
11
OL / DL
12
OL / LB
9
DL / OL
11
LB / OL
10
OL / DL
12
OL / DL
9
OL / DL
11
OL / DL
9
DE / OL
10
DE / OL
9
OL / DL
9
10
9
Conchs signal caller focused on
becoming conference champ
KEY WEST — Andrew Freeman
has a simple state of mind entering his final season as the Key
West High starting quarterback:
To win.
“We have different goals this
year, not to just win the game but
to dominate every seven seconds
of every play,” said Freeman.
“Every play is at least seven seconds long, maybe a little longer.
If you win every seven seconds of
each play, you will win the whole
game.”
With that thought of mind,
Freeman said it should be easy
to accomplish all the team’s goals
this season.
“If we play to our expectations
and don’t make any mistakes,
it should be that simple,” said
Freeman. “The whole team has
been working hard this summer,
and everything is just going well
◆
5
Conchs’ Sargent and Cannon
will be tough duo to slow down
ART OF WINNING
BY J.W. COOKE
as Conchs, but Cannon did not play in the
2013. That opened the door for Sargent to
become the first 1,000-yard rusher since
KEY WEST — Dorian Cannon and Ran Carthon in 1997.
“I’m glad he stepped up and did what
Mekhi Sargent have been playing football
for as long as they can remember, but for he had to do,” said Cannon. “He really did
the first time in their life they will have the a good job and rushed for a great amount
of yards. Now, I’m ready
opportunity to play in
Mekhi Sargent,
to do it with him. It’s
the same backfield.
left, and Dorian
going to be dangerAnd they believe
Cannon
ous.”
they’ll be able to
In the youth
accomplish
leagues,
great things
d e s p i t e
together
C a n n o n
this season.
being
a
“I think it’s
g r a d e
pretty cool
ahead, the
because I’ve
two said they
always seen
have always had a
Mehki as being
rivalry. That won’t
a great player ever
change at the high
since we were
school level, they
little, so playing
said.
with him now is
“We have a good
an awesome feelfriendship, so it realing,” said Cannon.
ly doesn’t matter the
Last season would
position just as long as
have been the first
opportunity for the
See KW BACKS, page 7
two to play together
BY J.W. COOKE
in practice.”
The senior put
on 20 pounds in
the
offseason,
while dropping the time on
his 40-yard dash. He’s ready
for the season to begin so
he can go after the school’s
passing record that was set
by Steven Jones in 2009.
“It’s 1,000 and some
yards, so it shouldn’t be
that hard,” said Freeman
of the passing yardage
record.
To open up the passing
game, the Conchs signal
caller will have to frequently
rely on the running game that
has helped Key West accumulate some of the highest yardage totals in the state the past
two seasons.
“We added a few more
passing plays,” said
See FREEMAN, page 8
Conchs’ line hoping
summer work pays off
BY J.W. COOKE
KEY WEST — Bigger,
stronger, faster and more
experienced. The Key
West High offensive line,
anchored by seniors Zach
Hughes and Dylan Burke, is
confident it will be able to
once again lead the charge
for one of the top-gaining
offenses in the state.
Hughes said he is a bit
nervous heading into the
season, because for the
first time in a long time the
Conchs have a legitimate
shot at postseason play.
“We have the talent to do
this and we really want it,”
said Hughes. “We just have
to go out there and continue to work hard for that
championship.”
Much of the hard work for
the offensive line occurred
during the summer, and the
results are already showing
as Burke became only the
seventh player in Key West
High history to join the
1,000-pound club, which is
being able to lift more than
1,000 pounds in the squat,
bench press and dead lift
combined.
RON COOKE/The Citizen
The Key West offense will be protected by linemen William Gregurich, Dylan Burke, center Zack
See KW LINE, page 8 Hughes, right guard Connor Curry and at left end is Jaden Glover.
6
◆
Smith, Henriquez providing the spark
for the high-energy defense
BY J.W. COOKE
KEY WEST — The pressure is
on the Key West High defense to
improve on the 40.2 points per
game allowed last season. Leading
the charge on the defensive front
this year is senior linebacker
Anthony Henriquez and junior
defensive end Terrence Smith.
“We really have been able to come
together and shut down the offense
so far,” said Henriquez. “We have
really had a lot of energetic practices. Now, we just have to translate
that into winning games.”
Smith, who joined the Conchs
for the sprig game, is returning
to the Keys with his family after
moving in the sixth grade. His new
teammate said that his arrival has
helped motivate the Conchs.
“Terrence brings a lot of energy
and passion to our defense, just
like I do,” said Henriquez. “He’s
obviously a big guy, too, so anybody in his way is not going to hold
him. Our whole defensive line has
improved a lot, which has really
helped me a lot this season.”
Smith said he is not looking to
change the way he has played in
the past, despite having to take on
a bigger role this season. The 6-foot
1-inch, 215-pound junior transfer
will power the defensive line, while
Henriquez will control the action
from linebacker.
“Sometimes the pressure is up,
but we are going to just
go out there, play hard
and do what we need
to do,” said Smith. “I
think we are going
to do real well, especially in this new conference.”
Henriquez will also
have to fill a bigger role
this season without the
help of Jack Gruba. But
with a majority of the
defense returning, that
should help strengthen
the team.
“We have a lot of parts
on our defense that will help
Ron Cooke/The Citizen
Terrance Smith, left, has
brought a new spark to the
Conchs this seaon, while
Anthony Henriquez is the
heart and soul of the
defense.
See DEFENSE, page 8
Secondary ready
for a whole new
type of game
So you’re ready
for what life
throws your way
BY J.W. COOKE
Keys Insurance Services
5800 Overseas Highway #43
Marathon, Florida 33050
Phone: (305) 743-0494
MM 50
805 Peacock Plaza
Key West, Florida 33040
Phone: (305) 294-4494
MM 2
391832
Jeffery
Anilus
KEY WEST — It was not the year that
Key West high seniors Laurence “Bubba”
Marius and Jeffery Anilus expected last season, so in their final year in a Conchs jersey,
they both feel they have a lot to prove.
“This year with the addition on the
defensive line we have, I think it will be a
lot different,” said Anilus. “Last year, we didn’t
have any pressure. This year, I don’t think the
[opposing] quarterbacks are going to have as
much time as they did last year.”
It will be the seventh year the two have played
on the same team together, beginning in the youth
league. Over that time, the teammates have
switched positions on the offensive
side of the ball with Anilus now the
See SECONDARY, page 8
Bubba
Marius
Conchs
Continued from page 4
accomplish as well as the play actions.
“He has put in the work and it shows,”
said Hughes. “He wanted to be that guy
that has drop-back ability, but that only
works if we are running the ball well.”
With the Conchs opening up the playbook, Freeman will have quite a few options
to connect with as Laurence Marius III,
Josh Shadduck and Daniel Daley-Dixon all
gained size in the offseason. Freshman Alvin
Howard also was called by Hughes a fantastic athlete needs to be on the field.
“Again there is depth,” said Hughes. “We
are not looking back over to the sideline
going, ‘Oh boy.’”
The lone spot without depth on the
offense is the front line with three new
starters surrounding seniors Zach Hughes
and Dylan Burke. Connor Curry, Jaden
Glover, William Gregurich and DeQuan
Moore, as well as freshman Isaac Archer,
are expected to fill those roles.
“I think they have put the work in but
they will be replacing KC (Sagan), Garrett
(Osteen) and Antonio (Quintana) who were
two-year starters,” said Hughes. “These
guys are fresh and new in their role sand we
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 ◆
Senior Anthony Henriquz is the heart
are going to see how they perform against
live defenders. If they do their job and give and soul of the defense. He will shift all
those bruisers in the back a little room, over the field depening on the scheme from
there are not a lot of people that are going defensive coordinator Dave Van Loon.
“He doesn’t look the part, but Cheese has
to be able to stop them.”
got it,” said Hughes. “He’s smart enough
to play every position on the field and he
DEFENSE
The defensive side of the ball was the brings a ferocity to the game. When he flips
weak spot for the Conchs last season, but that switch it’s a fun thing to watch.”
Junior Peter Ortiz and speedy freshman
with a few key additions and a strong freshman presence, Hughes said there will be Colby Keleher will slot into the other startmuch more athletic ability to control the ing linebacker spots, while four-year starting Marius is expected to be a lockdown
opposition.
“Our team speed was poor last season corner back this year.
“He really should be able shut down the
and it showed,” said Hughes. “We did not
team’s best receiver,” Hughes said
have the guy to get down the field and
about Marius.
cover on special teams because we were
Anilus and junior Christian
just slow. But with the infusion of some
Luna will also be big parts
freshmen and a few new players, we
of the secondary as well
will be good.”
as freshmen Donovan
Terrance Smith is the bigMompoint and Rivas.
gest addition of the year at the
“We want to try to keep
defensive end. Combined
everybody fresh,” said
with Cannon on the other
Hughes. “Skill wise, we have
side and with a rotation
parts to put a lot of differof Burke, Hughes
ent things together.”
and Phillip Barnett
on the inside,
FRESHMEN
the coach said he
Even with 14 seniors
believes Key West should be able to conon the Key West rostrol the line of scrimmage.
ter, the Conchs
are
expecting
roughly eight
to 10 freshmen
to make an
impact on
either on
offense,
7
defense or special teams highlighted by
Rivas, Mompoint, Archer, Kelleher, Howard,
Peter Estevez and Neil Kennedy.
“They bring a lot of speed we don’t
have,” said Hughes. “Hopefully, if we are
up these are guys that can get some extra
work. People ask me if it’s just that the
upper class talent is that bad and I say,
‘No, it’s just that the freshman class has a
chance to be that good.’”
SCHEDULE
A majority of the Key West games were
scheduled against the six other Gold Coast
Football Conference (GCFC) teams that
make up the league, but the Conchs play four
straight road games starting in late September
through most of October, which follows four
home games to open the season.
“We had to do that to maintain the Belen
rivalry,” said Hughes. “We are not going to
overwhelm anybody and we are not going
to be overwhelmed by anybody.”
The top four teams from the GCFC will
reach the single elimination postseason
and the coach said Oxbridge or Archbishop
McCarthy is the likely favorite to win the
conference coming into the season.
Key West is still searching for a postseason spot, which will be much different
from last year’s one-win season.
“I’d be disappointed if we are not in the
playoff,” said Hughes. ”I think we have a
legitimate shot for that. Our ultimate goal
is to play the championship here, but we
definitely want to be in the playoffs. We are
not going to shy away from that we definitely want to be conference champions.”
[email protected]
Sam Graveline
KW Backs
“There is no way they are going to stop both
of us. They have to choose one.”
Mehjki Sargent
we all know the plays we are
going to take turns running
them,” said Cannon.
Sargent thinks he and
Cannon can both amass
more than 1,000 all-purpose
yards, as the Conchs passing game, which will also be
a key part of the attack this
season, loosens up defenses
RON COOKE/The Citizen for the run.
Third year Key West head Coach Johnny Hughes prepares the Conchs for their season opener
“There is no way they are
against Keys Gate. Game times at Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium this season will be 7 p.m. going to stop both of us,”
Key West junior
said Sargent. “They have to
choose one.”
It will be Sargent’s third
year in the triple option
offense the Conchs run, and
Cannon’s second.
“We have run it so much,
it just comes like the back of
my hand,” said Sargent.
During the past two
seasons the Conchs have
ranked as one of the top
yard-gaining offenses in
the state due in large part
to the running of Cannon
and Sargent. This season, the teammates fully
expect to keep that streak
going.
“There’s really no reason
we can’t do it,” said Cannon.
“We are going to put up a lot
of yards together.”
[email protected]
8
◆
Defense
this year,” said Henriquez.
“I’m just going to go out
there and have some fun.”
Both players agreed that
competing in the Gold
Coast Conference this season against teams closer to
their caliber should help
lower the points per game
allowed.
“High school sports have
really turned into a recruiting game, and I think this
new conference has helped
that out,” said Henriquez. “I
really don’t know too much
about the conference but
I definitely think we can
compete this year, and win
some games.”
“There are athletes at
every school and competition at every school,” added
Smith. “You just have to
Secondary
running back and Marius is a receiver.
Defensively, Anilus said that playing
together for such a long time will certainly help their backfield chemistry,
but it is the unity of the entire defense
that will really make the difference in
2014.
“I think this year we are really working more as a team, and we are more
in sync,” said Anilus. “We really are
all on one page and together, not a
bunch of different units.”
Marius said he is looking to grab
three to four interceptions this year.
Last season, he and Anilus combined
for only one pick.
“We are going to try to see who
gets the most this year,” said Anilus.
KW Line
“It’s nice to look up and see
only seven people in the history of the high school that
have ever done it,” said Burke.
“It’s nice to think of yourself
as one of those people that
has worked hard enough to
finally accomplish it.”
In fact, the offensive linemen have worked so hard in
the offseason that they were
able to beat the skills players in the opening condition test of the fall by nearly
30 seconds.
come up and play the way
we know how.”
Henriquez said there is a
new pride in the defensive
unit, and that should be a
motivator for the offense.
“The defense has been
bringing it every day, and they
are feeding off it too because
nobody likes to get beat up,”
said Henriquez. “This year,
every practice so far has been
energetic. Everybody is working really hard and doing
“That’s really glory on the defensive
side of the ball.”
Being seniors, they also have a new
role on the team this season as team
leaders. But leadership is something
they both said comes naturally.
“We just have to set the example
for them,” said Marius. “Coming in as
a freshman, I played varsity, and I’m
just trying to do what the seniors did
when I was a freshman.”
Besides being playmakers on
offense and mainstays in the defensive secondary, Marius and Anilus are
also a big part of the Conchs’ kick and
punt return teams.
Both players are hopeful the move
to the Gold Coast Conference ends
up being a positive step for the KWHS
program.
“I really didn’t like it at first, but at
the end of the day I’m fine with it as
long as we’re playing football,” Anilus
“There is no doubt these
summer workouts have
helped a lot,” said Hughes.
Seeing the condition his
teammates are in as they
enter the season, Burke said
it should be easy for the linemen to do their part to help
the Conchs remain one of
the top-gaining offenses in
the state. “With the running
backs we have, and with
Andrew (Freeman) getting
better this year, we really do
have a chance to be even
better on offense this year,”
said Hughes.
The line will have some
adjustments to make as the
what they need to do.”
Smith, who will be playing his first full season in Key
West, knows that Key West
needs to restore some Conch
Pride, and he said that begins
with the defense that struggled at times last season.
“That’s
really
what
we are trying to do,” said
Henriquez. “We are trying
to get some wins and bring
back some life to the team.”
[email protected]
said about the new conference. “As
long as we have competition, it will
be OK. There is no point in playing if
we are just going to be playing easy
teams.”
“Of course we can handle it,” added
Marius. “I’d rather be playing hard
teams. Knowing someone is just that
much better than you makes you a
stronger player. Playing scrubs can
get boring, and when you get to the
college level it’s not going to be like
that.”
Both admit the switch to a new conference will continue to be a point of
controversy throughout the season.
“They [fans] are still going to talk
bad about it no matter if we win or
lose,” said Marius.
“It just gives you the motivation
to prove them wrong,” added Anilus.
“That’s what we are out to do.”
Conchs hope to pass more
this season behind senior
quarterback Freeman.
“The strength is there
for sure,” said Burke. “Just
the repetition of getting the
footwork down is what we
need. Physically, we are a
little better than we were
last year, but experiencewise we had a lot more last
year. By the first game we
should be ready.”
“There’s still a lot of small
stuff we have to work on,
like proper hand placement
and getting faster,” added
Hughes. “We really have a lot
of strong kids on the line.”
[email protected]
Moving into the Gold
Coast Conference has reenergized the entire squad
this year, according to
Hughes. This season the
players are thinking championship or bust.
“I really like it a lot better
because we are not playing
these big teams that have 16
D-I commits,” said Hughes.
“It should really be better
competition. I’ve heard
good and bad about the
new conference, and I just
tell them to come out and
watch what happens during
the season.”
[email protected]
RON COOKE/the Citizen
Quarterback Andrew Freeman releases a pass as the Conchs
prepare for the Gold Coast Football Conference.
Freeman
Freeman. “There are going
to be different routes and
protections this year that
are based off the run. We
should still be one of the
top teams in the state [for
yardage].”
Part of his confidence
comes from a busy summer
in which Freeman traveled
the nation attending football camps at the University
of Florida, Florida State
University, Georgia Tech,
Florida Atlantic University,
the University of Miami
and Appalachian State.
He has also been working
with quarterback coach
Ken Mastrolli, who has
two of his players go as
first-round draft picks the
last two National Football
League drafts.
Coming off a one-win
year and joining a new
conference, Freeman said
he knows the entire team
has a lot to prove this sea-
son. But he remains excited
about the Conchs’ potential to win a Gold Coast
Conference championship
in its first try.
Still, he understands that
not all fans are happy with
the decision to join the
Gold Coast Conference.
“A bunch of people don’t
like it; they feel we are
dropping down into competition,” said Freeman.
“They will just have to wait
and see, because everyone
is excited to show what we
can do this year instead of
winning one game.”
Freeman said last season’s record motivated the
entire team in the offseason. The workout program
had upwards of 40 players
attending, which he thinks
will translate into wins this
season. The transition to a
winning program actually
started in the spring, he
added.
“We want to prove we can
keep winning,” Freeman
said.
[email protected]
PREP FOOTBALL ’14: MARATHON
ESTABLISHING A FUTURE
Davis starting rebuilding process
in the SFC Development Division
five new players joined the team
during the preseason. With the
continued growth and nearly 20
middle school players on the rosters this season, Davis said
the Dolphins could be 30
to 40 deep on the varsity
roster in 2105.
“This is a true test
for us,” the coach said.
“If we can improve
through this year, I
think that’s only going
to help gain the interest
of the younger kids coming up. It’s going to take
time, but that will put us
on the right path for this
program.”
BY J.W. COOKE
MARATHON — The first season for the
Marathon High football team under
the tutelage of new coach Paul
Davis will be about establishing
a foundation for the future.
The Dolphins are in the perfect spot to do just that as
part of the Southeastern
Football Conference (SFC)
development league.
While Davis has been focused
on building the fundamentals
through his players’ thought processes both on and off the field, he
said the expectations this season
will remain simple: to improve
week by week.
“We expect the guys to come
out and give 100 percent, execute
what we taught them, and have
a good time doing it,” said Davis.
“We have the opportunity to
develop our team playing against
teams that have the same type of
talent.”
The positive attitude has
already spread as Davis said
Paul Davis
OFFENSE
Marathon will be working out of the two-back
spread system this season
with junior quarterback
Max Elliott under center
for the second straight
year.
“Max is throwing the
ball really well now,
PLAYER NAME
Garcia
Robi
Keller
Mark
Lancaster Tommy
Mejia
Alex
Lamberson Joey
Crespo
Raymond
Elliot
Max
Fox
Jason
Freeman
Chris
Goodwin
Trace
No.
10
75
41
55
65
63
9
53
12
8
Grade
11
11
11
11
11
10
10
10
10
9
Marathon High Schedule
Friday, Aug. 29
Friday, Sept. 5
Thursday, Sept. 11
Friday, Sept. 19
Friday, Sept. 26
Thursday, Oct. 2
Thursday, Oct. 9
Friday, Oct. 17
Friday, Oct. 24
Boca Christian
Miami Country Day*
@ Ransom Everglades*
Pompano*
Miami Community Charter
@ Miami Country Day*
Ransom Everglades*
Palmer Trinity
@ Pompano*
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
* CONFERENCE GAMES
“If we can improve through this year, I think that’s only going to help
gain the interest of the younger kids coming up. It’s going to take time,
but that will put as on the right path for this program.”
Paul Davis
Marathon first-year coach
where before he was coming up a little
short on the deep ball,” said Davis. “He’s
been sharp and on point. He has great
vision and has been running the ball really
well, so he does a great job with the option.
He’s been stepping it up every week we’ve
been out here.”
The Dolphins will be without the services of expected starting back Alex Rocca,
so Tommy Lancaster will fill in at the power
back slot. The Dolphins will rely on the
legs of juniors Chris Freeman and Danny
Valderas to carry a majority of the rushing
load. Freshman Victor Coleman will also be
in the mix for carries.
“It’s always good to have a big back,”
said Davis. “The thing with Rocca is that he
intimidated the other teams. Tommy will
intimidate the other team, too. He’s been
running the ball pretty hard in practice.”
See DOLPHINS, page 11
2014 MARATHON HIGH FOOTBALL ROSTER
Grade
12
12
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
◆
PLAYER NAME
Poole
Steven
Roberts
Sean
Rodriquez Alexi
Valledares Danny
Wells
Richard
Chaplin
Cameron
Campioni Michael
DiMarino Braydon
Perry
Andrew
No.
70
40
22
21
60
5
4
13
66
Grade
10
9
9
9
9
9
9
8
8
PLAYER NAME
Violisi
Teddy
Boone
Michael
Goodwin
Thad
Mejia
Jordie
Sainz
Steven
Coleman
Victor
Pinkley
Ben
McDonald Jackson
Hemeyer
Mark
No.
61
35
6
50
11
1
3
2
57
10
◆
MAKING THE TRANSITION
Elliot adjusting to
his third playbook
in as many years
Lancaster ready to put his troubles in
the past to prove he’s college ready
BY J.W. COOKE
BY J.W. COOKE
MARATHON — Max Elliot is entering his third
season of high school football and for the third
straight year the junior signal caller will be learning a
new system. This season, the secondyear Marathon High quarterback
said things have been amazing
under new coach Paul Davis.
“The new quarterback coach
we have, Mr. C (Chris Kuck),
has been working a lot with
me and has been fantastic,” said Elliot.
“Coach Davis is the
Max
best
coach I’ve ever
Elliot
had. He’s energetic
and he puts a lot of
time into the kids.”
The Elliot family had vacationed in the
Keys twice a year for before
moving from their Michigan
farm to Marathon before the
start of the 2013-14 school
year. Initially, Elliot thought
he was going to be attending Coral Shores High until he
realized the travel time from
Marathon. Instead, he quickly
settled into the Dolphins’ lineup at center before the start of
his freshman season.
See ELLIOT, page 12
384736
MARATHON — It has been
a tumultuous ride for Tommy
Lancaster to get to this point of his
high school career. The senior admits
he has brought some of the troubles on
himself, but now he’s ready to prove he
can be a great addition to a college roster.
At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds Lancaster has
the size to play at the next level, and he
certainly put in the work during the offseason to prove he’s ready, gaining attention as the top defensive player at the Top
Prospects Elite national football camp at
the University of Oklahoma.
However, his downfall is that due to injuries
and disciplinary actions, he has yet to complete
a full season of prep football since his seventh
grade year while playing for the six-sided squad
at Island Christian.
“I’m excited to work my hardest to keep my
GPA up, work through the whole season and, of
course, be a team player,” said Lancaster. “I really
need to do what the team needs me to do and not
what I want to do.”
Lancaster was born in West Palm Beach but
was adopted by George and Kathy Lancaster as
an infant. He said he feels he was he raised as a
natural Keys kid on the beach — with his brother,
Jonnie Lancaster who was also adopted — but it
was not without a lot finger pointing from those
with questions about his white parents.
“It isn’t easy but it gives me motivation to work
harder,” said Lancaster. “I know a lot of people
here because I’ve done a lot of stuff through
community theater and community service, but
I have gotten things outside of the Keys like, ‘Oh
is this something like the Blindside.’ It feels pretty
See LANCASTER, page 13
Mejia returning to ’Fins to make
a statement in his final season
BY J.W. COOKE
MARATHON — Alex Mejia was not sure
after the spring game if he was going to return
to Marathon High for his senior season. After
weighing his options, he decided that finishing his prep career as a Dolphin was the best
choice for all concerned.
“I was looking at a bigger school,” he said
of his decision. “I can’t do that to my friends
and family that care about me here. I really
thought about my brother and, if I left, he
might think that in a couple of years it would
be O.K. to quit on the team and go to a different school.”
Despite having the opportunity to win more
games at a bigger school against tougher
competition, Mejia wanted to complete his
high school career at Marathon High.
“I played with Martin for three years,
and he was a great coach, but I couldn’t
be more excited to play for Coach
Davis this year,” said Mejia. “I
look up to him because he was
one of the first guys to come
out of this town, and I want to
keep the tradition going and
play in college.”
Mejia said the biggest difference
this preseason has been the care
of the coaching staff, which has
made his decision to return the
right choice.
“Last year, there were a
bunch of fights by this point; I
was in a few,” said Mejia. “This
year, there has maybe been an
argument and it wasn’t even
See MEJIA, page 11
Alex
Mejia
Dolphins
The Dolphins biggest playmaker this season could be senior Robi Garcia at receiver.
Davis said he runs great routes and has
great hands.
“If we need him, he’s also our backup
quarterback,” said Davis. “We have plays
for him to showcase his skills. But he’s just
an athlete and can play pretty much any
position. He’s a tough guy.”
During the first week of school, the
Dolphins received an added bonus
of five new players, four of whom
Davis said he hopes can bolster the offensive line. Carson
Denning, Richie Wells and
Joey Lamberson should
fit in nicely with brother
Alex and Jordie Mejia
and senior captain Mark
Keller.
“It’s a lot to learn for
them and we will find
out exactly what they
can do, but If we can get
to a point where they are
ready to play, they will
be a major factor on
the line,” said Davis.
“We just have to get
them involved with
what we are doing and
learning the plays. If we
can do that, we can be
pretty set on the line.”
Mejia
DEFENSE
The Dolphins ran a 3-4 defense in the
spring game but with the added players
on the roster Davis has decided to shift
even more players to the line and start
this season running a 3-5 defense. The
true emphasis thusfar has been on proper
tackling.
“They really try to arm tackle and when
you arm tackle, you are not going to stop
too many people,” said Davis. “So we’ve
incorporated the Seattle Seahawks tackling
style. To be honest with you, the kids are
going to try it, but then some are going
to go back to their old ways. But if we
stay on them about it, and they get
confident with it, it will become a
habit.
“I’ve noticed when we
do tackling drills a lot
of times they are going
to try to run and bump
into them thinking that
bumping will put them
in the ground,” added
the coach. “I’m trying
to get them to understand you have to wrap,
grab, spin and roll, or
drive for five and put
them in the ground.”
Junior
Trace
Goodwin will anchor
the defense at middle linebacker. But
with only 25 players on the varisty
roster, a majority
that big. The only fights this year have been to get a
spot in the lineup.”
Mejia will be part of the Dolphins’ offensive line that
will include fellow senior captain Mark Keller along
with his younger brother, Jordie Mejia. Being the older
player with more varsity experience, Mejia said he
truly wants to set a good example for his brother.
“I hear the coaches telling me a lot, ‘Your brother
is beating you and he’s only a freshman,’” said Mejia.
“That’s a lot of pressure, but that pushes me, and it makes
me push all of them even more to make them better.”
Mejia believes the Marathon program has a lot of
potential, and he knows that he must step up this season to help the program get out of the Southeastern
◆
11
of the starters will be playing both ways,
including Lancaster who will line up on the
outside of the defense. Davis said is also
excited to see Wells at the other defensive
end position, opposite of Lancaster, with
Keller and the Mejia brothers on the interior line. Garcia will also be looked upon
to come up with big plays on the defensive
side of the ball as secondary captain.
“I feel we now have enough depth to be
able to expand the line,” said Davis. “We
are trying to do a lot of different things all
at one time. You have to slow down sometimes because not all of our kids are even
high school age. I hope my midseason
we will be able to disguise our defense to
where they don’t know what we are coming with.”
SCHEDULE
Ransom Everglades, Miami Country
Day and Pompano Beach will be joining
Marathon in the development league this
season. All four teams have won less than
three games the last two seasons.
The Dolphins will play each of the
development league teams twice. To fill
out the schedule, Marathon will host
Boca Raton in the season opener and
head to Palmer Trinity, which it beat
in the spring game, and play Miami
Community Charter.
“We are really outside looking in and
we don’t even get to play Coral Shores,”
said Davis. “I don’t know the last time
that happened and no matter what we
should have still been able to play that
rivalry, but the way the conference is set
Trace Goodwin
Football Conference developmental division.
“It will get overwhelming, because there are only
four seniors on this team, so it will be tough on us,”
said Mejia of the challenge. “There are a lot of middle
school kids out here, so it will be interesting to see
where they go.”
Despite the lack of experience and depth with just
25 players on the roster, Mejia said he does not think
an undefeated season is out of reach, even with most
players going both ways. Mejia will play on both the
offensive and defensive lines.
“With this group of guys, I think we have a chance,”
said Mejia when asked about a winning season. “We
really can be strong on the line this year. I’m going
to give 100 percent, and I know my brother is going
to give 100 percent, too. That’s why I came back this
year.”
[email protected]
KATHY LANCASTER/The Citizen
Marathon freshman Victor Coleman will be
part of the Dolphins’ plans this season.
up they didn’t wantt us playing it. But you
never know, especially with a new coaching staff, you never what the turnaround
will be like.”
But Davis admits that it is nice to be able
to rebuild the Marathon program against
teams more on the Dolphins’ level.
“We want to develop this program and
this is the year to do it,” said Davis. “We are
going to make mistakes and that’s part of
the learning. Then next year is going to be
totally different. We experienced that over
the spring and summer, and we haven’t
even started playing yet.”
[email protected]
KATHY LANCASTER/The Citizen
Senior Alex Mejia will
have to make up for
a lack of experience
on the offensive and
defensive lines this
season for Marathon.
Mejia will be joined
by fellow senior Mark
Keller on both lines
as well as his younger
brother, freshman
Jordie Mejia.
12
◆
Dolphins expecting big things
from Garcia’s return
BY J.W. COOKE
MARATHON — The last time Robi Garcia stepped onto
a football field all geared up and ready to play was three
seasons ago as part of the Marathon High junior varsity
squad. This season, the Dolphins are expecting a lot of
big plays from the senior that coach Paul Davis calls his
top athlete.
Garcia has only played football for three seasons,
including the youth leagues, but with a new coach and a
new look to the program, he said he was ready to leave a
good mark on the school.
“I really wanted come out with a good attitude and be
known as the guy that was going to work hard and make
everybody better,” said Garcia.
So far, Davis said the senior has accomplished just
what he was hoping to do, and the Dolphins have taken
to his high-energy approach.
“He’s going to be our athlete,” said
Davis. “We are going to really need him to
do a lot for us this season.”
Garcia will return to the positions
he played as a freshman — receiver and safety.
“Just being able to take some
of the pressure is something I’m
going to have to get used to,” he
said.
He’s not worried about of
being a target on offense and
an upperclassman as he hopes
to let his play on the field and
at practice lead the way for
the younger players.
“I’ve always taken pride in
being one of the first at practice and setting that example,”
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Robi Garcia has not played since
his freshman season with the
Dolphins’ junor varsity
squad.
said Garcia.
“So, I really
just want to
keep that same
attitude because
all the hard work I’ve
been doing is going
to pay off in my senior
year.”
Garcia has remained active on the
basketball and baseball rosters during the
past two seasons, which he said has made
it easy for him to return to the gridiron this
season.
While he has remained in shape, Garcia
was hampered in the offseason following
knee surgery on his MCL, which he suffered
during baseball season. That hardly slowed
him down as he played in the spring game
See GARCIA, page 13
Elliot
Continued from
page 10
He said that move really helped him
make the switch to the new playbook this
season.
“It’s been amazing,” he said of the move.
“I absolutely love the water and I got kind
of tired of staring at the dirt every day. It’s
easier for me to transition because I have
already transitioned into a new school and
a new offense once before. So it should be
easy.”
Elliot said the Dolphins offense is running a completely different system this
year. Last season’s system was built on the
strength of fullback Cooper Chaplin. This
year, Elliot is returning to a playbook he has
not run since he was playing in the youth
leagues of Michigan.
“We are going all wide now and it’s completely different,” he said. “I love it.”
The run-heavy offense of last season did
frustrate him at times, he admits.
“It did get to a point where I questioned
what I was doing wrong,” said Elliot. “But
I understood we also had Cooper and he
Marathon quarterback watches the defense
from the sideline.
was just a stud.”
With the opportunity to now expand the
offense into a more pass-orientated team,
Elliot has spent a lot of time studying the
new playbook.
See ELLIOTT, page 13
Lancaster
crummy to me, but I just have to let it roll
off of me because there isn’t really anything
I can do about it. If they want to know, I’m
proud to tell my adoption story.”
He started his high school career at
Island Christian, where he played as a seventh grader. He would return to the team
as a freshman, but a fractured tibia would
cut his season short.
With his mother falling ill before his
junior campaign, Lancaster transferred to
Vermont to play for an independent school.
After a fight with a teammate, he was suspended from the team and returned to the
Keys.
Last year, in his first season on the
Marathon varsity roster, Lancaster ran into
trouble again and he missed the final four
weeks of the season due to disciplinary
reasons.
Despite not having completed a full high
Elliot
“It’s in my full memory now; I’ve been
studying it every night,” said Elliot. “It’s
thick, a lot bigger that we had last year.
About 10 times more plays that last year
— a lot to study.”
Despite everything he has had to absorb
since the spring in order to prepare for the
season, Elliot said he really feels no pressure this year.
“I’ve had a lot of upperclassmen take
that pressure from me and put it on their
backs really, and it’s helped me out a lot,”
said Elliot. “We are all really excited to get
this season going.”
The Dolphins will be playing in the
developmental side of the Southeastern
Football Conference (SFC), which Elliot
said is a good place to start propelling his
team to the next level.
“Doing this new offense in the league
we were in last year probably wouldn’t
have worked out as well as it will in the
league we are in this year,” said Elliot. “I
can’t wait for this season. I know we definitely are capable of coming out on top in
the new division we are in. We have a lot
school season, Lancaster said
he has learned a lot in his
years of playing, which will
make him smarter on
and off the field.
“I have a lot of
potential in what
I’m doing right now,
so if the pressure
does come to me,
I’m not going to let
it get to my head,”
he said. “I’m just
going to keep doing
what I know best,
and put my nose to
the grindstone and
keep going hard.”
He added that his
time playing six-sided
football with the Eagles
has helped him better
prepare for this season.
“I’d say the biggest
difference is that you
“Doing this new offense in the
league we were in last year
probably wouldn’t have worked
out as well as it will in the
league we are in this year. I
can’t wait for this season. I
know we definitely are capable
of coming out on top in the new
division we are in. We have a lot
of potential, definitely.”
of potential, definitely.”
Elliot said outside of winning more
games than losing this season, he does
not have any personal goals.
“Last year was hard to have a lot of
emotion because the team didn’t have
a lot of emotion, said Elliot. “It felt like
nobody wanted to be out here. Today we
are all running, jumping and excited to be
out here. It’s a totally different season.
“I come to practice an hour early every
day and I’m excited to be here,” he added.
“It’s just a whole brand new transition and
the fans will see we are finally a football
team.”
[email protected]
have more open things to do, where 11man football you need to do it with a team;
you can’t do it by yourself,” said Lancaster.
“That showed me I really need my
team and I can’t let them down
either.”
The mental philosophy new
Marathon coach Paul Davis has
established with the Dolphins
this season is another reason Lancaster said he is
ready to step up his game.
He said the program has
really helped him calm his
mind in the classroom, and
that is being translating that on
the field.
“He doesn’t only focus what we
do on the field, he focuses on what
we are doing off the field and what we
are doing after the season,” Lancaster
said about learning under Davis. “That
makes me feel I can go to him not
only as a coach but I can go to him
about other advice. I feel 100 per-
Garcia
with the injured knee, and
two weeks after the procedure he said he was back on
the field preparing for his
senior season.
“It was really bothering
me in spring, but I ignored
it,” said Garcia. “The day
after the game I went to
a doctor and he said ‘we
have to have surgery right
away.’”
Outside of the slight setback, Garcia said he feels
like he never took anytime
off and is 100 percent ready
to enter the year, even
though his knee is still only
about 85 percent healthy.
“It’s a quick speed offense
and I’d say I fit in very well,”
said Garcia. “I’m fast, quick
and I’ll do whatever I have
to do.”
Garcia said he made a
bond with quarterback Max
◆
13
cent he will be there, not only as a coach
but a mentor.”
There have been times in the preseason
that Lancaster said he has been hot headed, but he had to remember to check his
attitude as he is aware of the younger players who are watching his every move. He
said he does not want them to have the
same troubles he has had, so he is looking
to set that good example, which will hopefully help him reach the next level.
“I’m just having a great time working
with my family out here,” said Lancaster.
“We are really getting things done in unity,
and when we do something wrong we are
not getting down on each other we are
picking each other up.
“This team has a lot of potential behind
me,” he added. “I know they are going to
carry on our goal, because we have the
attitude; we are one and where we go one,
we all go. If you have that attitude good
things come behind it and you can keep
building.”
[email protected]
Elliott when the junior signal caller tried out for the
basketball team last season.
Entering this season, the
duo is hoping to connect for
10 touchdowns and 1,000
yards.
“We set a goal for it and
we want to make it challenging,” said Garcia. “We
really believe we can do it
because we believe we have
something great. To be honest, I really wouldn’t want to
have my senior year be with
any other quarterback.”
After a two-year hiatus
from the sport, it may seem
as if Garcia is taking on a lot,
but in his mind none of the
goals he has set for this season are insurmountable.
“I’ve never been the type
of person to doubt myself,
because I know I’m good,”
said Garcia. “If I do something wrong, I’m the first
person to take responsibility. We all have each other’s
back, and it’s nice to have
a team where everybody is
together. We are going to
make this a great year.”
[email protected]
391833
305-743-5288
9699 Overseas Highway,
Marathon, Florida 33050
Find us across from the Airport
Go Dolphins!
14
◆
PREP FOOTBALL ’14N
Favorite NFL Team
Dolphins
Steelers
Cowboys
“We want to make
postseason.”
Mekhi Sargent
Key West junior
40%
10%
7%
PREP FOOTBALL ’14
If you have the chance to play
college football will you take it?
Yes 90%
No 3%
Do you like the switch into the
Gold Coast Football Conference?
Maybe 7%
“We can’t put too much pressure
on ourselves. If we go out and
win 10 games but don’t win the
championship, it won’t be
disappointing.”
“We are going to see
a lot of pride from
us this year. We are
going to win a lot of
games and get our
fans back. It’s going
to be awesome.”
Nick Frisone
Dylan Burke
“We have been getting
better and better for
the past few seasons.
Last year we had the
best record at this
school in 20 years
and we are going to
be even better this
season.”
Coral Shores junior
Key West senior
Brian Cash
Coral Shores senior
Yes 80%
“If you saw
us playing the
last couple of
years, it’s not
the same. We
are changing
things and
hopefully we
can make the
state of Florida
notice us
again.”
No 20%
“People have said
a couple of things
about us switching
conferences but I
don’t think that way
because it’s a great
opportunity and I
think we are going to
do better.”
“It’s a whole new
Conch football
team.”
Dorian Cannon
“Just be ready fora
good season. We
are going to put our
names out there.”
Juan Mayo
Coral Shores senior
Favorite College Team
Miami
Florida
Florida St.
Oregon
Notre Dame
Terrance Smith
“We have a new ball
coach and we are
very optimistic this
year. He whipped
us into shape and
we have put in way
more work than we
ever have before.”
Key West junior
Trace Goodwin
“There will be a lot
of savagery from the
defense.”
Jeffery Anilus
Key West senior
27%
20%
17%
10%
10%
Marathon junior
Key West Senior
Alex Mejia
Marathon senior
“It’s a completely different
program. It’s starting here
on this football team, but
eventually this whole school
is going to change and the
whole school is going to
take into this mentality of
working hard.”
Robi Garcia
Marathon senior
of energy and
excitement.”
Anthony “Cheese” Henriquez
Key West senior
“We are going to
score a bunch of
touchdowns, hopefully, and win a bunch
of games so we can
go to districts and
play our hearts out.”
“I’d love to prove
to the fans we are
a whole new team.
We are ready to
start winning games
again and personal
numbers come with
winning.
Tucker Jones
Max Elliot
Island Christian Senior
Marathon junior
Andrew Freeman
“We really help each
other out a lot and
you kind of build
off each other which
helps out.”
Key West senior
George Jacobsen
of winning.”
Coral Shores senior
“We’ve gotten a lot
better than we were
last year and the
fans will have to
come out and see.”
Laurence “Bubba” Marius
Key West senior
“It’s a brand new
“Everyone is anxious
team from last year.
to play and we are
Hopefully the fans
really hoping our
will come back out “We are going to go
pass game improves
here and give us a out with a bang and
because we have been
win a conference
chance.
working on that too,”
Tommy Lancaster
championship.”
Henry Jacobsen
Marathon senior
Coral Shores senior
Zack Hughes
Key West senior
“Our team is good
and we are ready.”
Darren Govan
Key West senior
◆
15
16
◆
PREP FOOTBALL ’14: CORAL SHORES
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
’Canes have been building to
this season’s fifth quarter
BY J.W. COOKE
Coral Shores head Coach Ed Holly works with Ariel Correa, left, and Bryon Peixoto during the
preseason.
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TAVERNIER — When Coral Shores coach
Ed Holly first took notice of the talent that
is now seniors on the 2014 squad, he made
the tough choice to keep a majority of the
junior varisty squad together to help build
their chemistry.
The philosophy has worked, and the
senior-laden Hurricanes have big expectations this year as part of Holly’s fivequarter plan, which concludes with a
Southeastern Football Conference (SFC)
championship.
“This has been the goal for this senior
class,” said Holly. “It was a tough choice
to keep some of these guys on the junior
varisty team when we went 5-5 that year,
and quite frankly some of those guys could
have helped us right away. But we wanted
to keep this core nucleus together.”
Coral Shores is the defending co-champions of the SFC South Division. Entering
the fourth quarter of Holly’s five-quarter
“We have a very, very tough
schedule and they are looking
forward to that. High expectations are a good thing, and we
have high expectations for them.
They understand what it takes.”
Ed Holly
Coral Shores coach
plan, he said he hopes to keep his team
focused on the first game of the season.
“I know that sounds cliché but in order
to climb the mountain, and we are starting
at the very bottom of a very tough conference, you have to worry about the first
game and then worry about the second
game after the first game is completed,”
said the head coach. “I think our guys have
done a really good job of that. But we fully
expect to be in that championship bracket
and get to that fifth quarter this year.”
See HURRICANES, page 18
Coral Shores Schedule
Friday, Aug. 29
Friday, Sept. 5
Friday, Sept. 12
Friday, Sept. 19
Friday, Sept. 26
Friday, Oct. 3
Friday, Oct. 10
Friday, Oct. 17
Friday, Oct. 24
Friday, Oct. 31
Friday, Oct. 14
* CONFERENCE GAMES
Coral Springs Charter*
7:30 p.m.
LaSalle Immaculata*
7:30 p.m.
@ Westminster Academy*
TBA
@ Benjamin School*
TBA
@ Florida Christian*
TBA
Archbishop Curley* (Homecoming)7:30 p.m.
Pine Crest*
7:30 p.m.
@ St. Andrews*
TBA
SFC Playoffs Game 1
TBA
SFC Playoffs Game 2
TBA
SFC Championship
TBA
17
◆
HURRICANES STRIKING FROM ALL SIDES
Coral Shores 3-headed
attack looking to dominate
BY J.W. COOKE
TAVERNIER — To the left there is Henry
Jacobsen, to the right it’s his twin brother,
George Jacobsen, and up the middle it is
Eddie Dunn.
On any given night, one or all three of the
three-headed running back corps at Coral
Shores can pile up some big yardage. But
the ground game didn’t evolve overnight.
It’s taken four seasons to this point. It all
started when the Jacobsen twins moved to
the Keys from North Dakota during their
eighth-grade year.
“I’m expecting at least 3,000 yards combined for us this year and the champi-
onship,” said George
Jacobsen. “We need to do
it this year; it’s our year. We
need to show we are the best in
this conference.”
In their freshman season, Dunn
lined up in the tailback position and
George Jacobsen was at fullback.
Entering their final season, Dunn
will be the fullback.
“If we need a hard run up the
middle that’s Eddie, if we need a run
to the outside that’s where George and
I come in,” said Henry Jacobsen. “We
try to mix up the offense as much as pos-
Henry
Jacobsen,
left,
Eddie Dunn and
George Jacobsen
See CANES BACKS, page 20
Frisone using experience in
second season as quarterback
Citizen Satff Writer
“I’ll
do
whatever we
have to
do to
win.”
Nick
Frisone
’Canes
quarterback
TAVERNIER — Nick
Frisone admits that
the learning curve was
steep during his first
season as quarterback of the Coral Shores
High football team. But
following an offseason of
hard work, the junior signal
caller is confident he can
add another dimension to
the Hurricanes offense this
season.
“Having everything down
to a science I really don’t
have to think of plays anymore, and it’s a lot easier to
See FRISONE, page 21
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◆
2014 CORAL SHORES HIGH FOOTBALL ROSTER
No. Name
Yr.
1 Logan Rowe
12
2 Daren Govan 12
5 Brian Cash
12
6 Paul Pauchey 12
7 Austin Seabolt 11
8 Nick Frisone 11
9 Paul Null
12
11 Sean Walters 10
12 Abran Mendoza 10
14 Eddie Evans
10
15 George Jacobsen 12
Ht
6’0
6’2
6’0
5’10
6’0
5’9
6’1
6’1
5”8
5’11
5’10
Wt
215
167
180
145
175
185
210
215
150
160
185
Pos
RB/DL
WR/DB
QB/LB
WR/DB
WR/DB
QB/DB
QB/DB
OL/DL
WR/DB
QB/DB
RB/LB
No. Name
Yr.
20 Shane Saenger 12
23 Ariel Correa 11
24 Clay Miller
11
30 Henry Jacobsen 12
32 Josh Holper 10
33 Jack Machesic 10
34 Eddie Dunn
12
35 Grayson Nickoletti 12
40 Bryon Peixoto 12
48 Brian Gonzalez 12
Hurricanes
Photos by RON COOKE/The Citizen
Hurricanes offensive coordinator Alphonso Bryant, left, huddles his player together as they prepare for Friday’s opener.
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OFFENSE
The strength of this year’s
offense will be in running
back and skill positions,
according to Holly, with
seniors Eddie Dunn, George
Jacobsen, Henry Jacobsen
and Logan Rowe returning
to the backfield, and seniors
Paul Pauchey and Darren
Govan lining up on the outside.
“Letting those guys
grow up together and play
together and experience the
game together is going to
pay huge dividends in the
fall,” said Holly.
The Hurricanes also have
second-year starter Nick
Frisone at quarterback.
Holly said his quarterback
has improved immensely
during the offseason.
“For us to be successful,
our running game is going
to have to be hitting on all
cylinders, and we are working very hard to do that,”
said the coach. “But to complement our running game
and make it easier to run,
Nick has been working hard
Ht
5’11
5’11
5’8
5’10
5’5
5’7
6’0
6’2
5’7
6’0
Wt
185
195
145
185
135
140
205
215
185
185
Pos
TE/DL
RB/LB
WR/DB
RB/LB
RB/DB
RB/DB
RB/LB
OL/DL
QB/LB
TE/LB
with offensive coordinator
Alphonso Bryant. We feel
we have a very strong pass
attack.”
The running backs will be
slotting out wide to open up
more options for Frisone,
and he will be also targeting
Govan, Pauchey and former
quarterback junior Austin
Seabolt.
“We are really expecting a
really big year from Darren,
and Paul has been a really
nice surprise,” said Holly.
In fact, the offensive
line is the only part of the
offense without a starting
senior. The line is anchored
by a group of juniors who
have been playing together
for two seasons — including returning starters Andy
Bautista and David Williams.
Holly said they are getting
stronger every practice.
Juniors Chris O’Berry and
center Sam Kraus will be
looked upon as starters this
year with Dante Jiovenetta,
Ben Pope and senior Adrian
Tomas also filling in spots.
“Until we get battle tested on the field of play, you
never know,” said Holly.
“They are playing well so far
and starting to gel. Heading
No. Name
Yr.
50 Sam Kraus
11
51 Ben Pope
10
52 Adrian Tomas 12
65 Chris O’Berry 11
70 Dontae Jiovenetta 11
72 Andy Bautista 11
74 David Williams 11
80 Juan Mayo
12
88 Bobby Griffin 12
90 Jose Bravo
12
Ht
5’10
6’0
5’6
6’3
6’0
6’1
6’1
5’11
6’1
6’0
Wt
160
185
160
240
285
220
215
165
225
216
Po
OL/LB
OL/DL
OL/LB
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
WR/DB
TE/DL
OL/DL
Coral Shores secondary coach Herbert James, a member of
the 1992 University of Miami football team, works with the
Hurricanes’ Darren Govan during preseason practices.
into the season, that’s what one guy,” said Holly. “We
are going to do it with sevshould be happening.”
eral guys. I think we have to
opportunity to be as good
DEFENSE
Coral Shores ranked at the at defense if not better this
top of the SFC defensively year.”
Holly said the his teams
last season and has several
seniors that will have to fill take great pride in being an
the role of the 2013 Monroe- aggressive defensive team
County and SFC Player of under defensive coaches
Jack Neidbalski and Herbert
the Year Anthony Rice.
“We are not going to try
to replace Anthony with
◆
19
BACK
IT UP
Hurricanes
secondary
confident in
its abilities
The Coral Shores offensive line, from left, Adrian Tomas, Dante Jiovenetti, Chris O’Berry,
Sam Kraus, Andy Bautista and David Williams.
Hurricanes front line ready
to prove it is not a weak link
BY J.W. COOKE
BY J.W. COOKE
Citizen Satff Writer
TAVERNIER — A big part
of the top-ranked Coral
Shores defense last season
was the play of the secondary, which for the second straight season will be
anchored by seniors Daren
Govan, Paul Pauchey, Brain
Cash and Juan Mayo.
Last year, they combined
to intercept 19 passes. This
year, the seniors have even
more confidence in their
abilities.
“The expectations are
definitely higher because
each of the last three years
has been better than the
one before,” said Cash. “So
now our senior year, everyone is expecting us to do
a lot better. We have been
together for a couple of
years now, so I think we are
better prepared to play with
each other.”
Mayo and Govan have
been playing together since
they were eight years old.
It will be the second year
that all four have patrolled
the Hurricanes secondary
together.
“I really believe these
guys are going to be there
to make the plays,” said
Govan. “We are all really
good players.”
TAVERNIER — According to Coral
Shores head coach Ed Holly, his team’s
season will be predicated by the play of
the offensive line, which will be putting a
lot of pressure on the younger players on
the rosters.
Without any returning senior starters
Photos by RON COOKE/The Citizen
The Coral Shores senior defensive backs, clockwise from left,
Brian Cash, Juan Mayo, Darren Govan and Paul Pauchey.
as the top defense in the
SFC.
“We only lost two people, so our entire defense
is returning,” said Pauchey.
“So we are looking at the
same numbers as last year,
hopefully better, because
we have been together longer.”
“Hopefully, we can shut
down every team’s passing game; I really think we
can,” added Cash. “I know
we are all going to get picks;
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That talent has not
gone unnoticed as Govan
was selected to the allSoutheastern
Football
Conference (SFC) first team
last season. This year, all of
them want to be named to
the team.
“I want them to be scared
of us,” said Govan. “When
they flip the coin, I’m telling the coach to put us on
defense first.”
With a returning senior
corps in the secondary and
at linebacker, the defense
hopes to repeat its ranking
on the line, the duties will fall to returning
junior starters Andy Bautista and David
Williams. They believe they are going to
thrive.
“I think having the pressure on the
offensive line only makes us better,” said
Bautista. “Sometimes, we play better
under pressure then when we are not.”
305-453-9066
20
◆
Canes Line
“We have really developed as a team, as
a family, as a unit, and I think we are going
to go out there and get it done,” he added.
“Last season, I think, was much more of a
In fact, Williams takes offense to any- question mark for us.”
For the most part the
one who dares criticize the
offensive line will be
offensive line.
anchored by Bautista
“We lost two seniors
and Williams
who have been replaced,
along with
so I think sayj u n i o r
ing there are
C h r i s
questions on
O’Berry,
the offensophosive line
more
Sam
is ridicuKraus, junior
l o u s
transfer Dante
because
Jiovanette, and
it’s
the
Adrian Tomas,
s a m e
the lone senior.
offensive
“Last year, Andy
line,” he said.
Andy
and I were starting
“The only thing
Bautista,
as sophomores,
we have now is
left,
but this year as
a solid group of
and Davis
juniors we have
juniors that have
Williams
put on 20 to 25
bonded together,
pounds,” said
which only makes
Williams. “So,
us stronger in the
it’s
really
end.
Hurricanes
James. This year’s defense
will be led by an experienced secondary made up
of Pauchey, Govan, Brian
Cash and Juan Mayo.
“We are going to need
that secondary to be
strong because we face
some dynamic passing
attacks,” said Holly. “They
are not only seniors but
they will be three-year
starters for us. They know
the expectations of our
team.”
The linebacker corps
is also full of experience with Dunn and the
Jacobsen brothers taking
snaps on both sides of the
ball to help keep seniors
Bryon Peixoto and Brian
Gonzalez, as well as junior
Ariel Correa, fresh.
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Coral Shores Coach Adam Bort works with the offensive line on hitting drills.
going to be the same thing as last year, but
all the line will be third-year players now
with two years varsity under their belt.”
Bautista and Williams will be playing
side by side not only on the offensive line
but also on the defensive side of the ball.
“I think defense is more of a show and
there’s more glory, but you can’t win with-
Canes Backs
sible so the defense can’t key on one
thing, but it really depends on what
the defense is giving us.”
“If their outside linebackers are
really playing far outside, that’s
where Eddie comes in,” said George
Jacobsen. “I like blocking too, because
it lets the coaches see you can be
physical, but you can still be nimble
enough to run on the outside.”
Dunn said that having the twins in
the backfield has helped him establish
his game as the short-yardage back.
“I’ve been at fullback for awhile now
and I’m used to it,” said Dunn. “These
guys have really stepped it up on the
outside, which has taken a lot off me.
I like to get my carries, but I like to
watch them do their thing too.”
Dunn admitted there’s certainly a
friendly rivaly between the backs, especially the brothers, but that competition
has helped motivate each of them to
strive to be the best players they can be.
out offense,” said Williams. “Not everybody
can be the star running back or receiver,
but it takes the whole team to do it.”
“It all starts on the offensive line,” said
Bautista. “Game day is when everything
has to show out, and I think we have the
offensive line that will show a lot.”
“They are basically the same position just on different sides,” said Dunn
of the twin tailbacks. “So they can
compete with each other about how
many yards or touchdowns or whatever. It also helps they are brothers.”
“Friendly competition just makes
your teammates better in the end,”
added Henry Jacobsen. “You have to
compete, but you have to make each
other better too.”
While they will be competing individually for most yards and touchdowns, the main goal of all three
backs is the same — to claim the
Southeastern Football Conference
title in their final season. A championship, they all said, will help their
chances to play at the next level.
“There’s no pressure, we are just
ready to play; I think everyone is,” said
George Jacobsen. “We really want to
get our championship.
“What I wanted to do this year is
blocking, catching and running to
show the college coaches I can do anything they ask me,” he added. “There is
still a lot here that we need to get done,
[email protected]
but I’m hoping this year really helps
boost my chances at college.”
All three players also hope to display some of their skills on the defensive side of the ball at the linebacking
positions — Dunn handles the middle linebacker slot and the Jacobsens
are on the outside. Dunn, like his
father Gary Dunn, who was part of the
vaunted Steel Curtain at Pittsburgh for
12 seasons at defensive tackle, serving as team captain four years, leans
toward playing defense.
“I like offense too,” said Dunn. “But
it’s pretty much the same things either
way I play. I’m just running into a
group of people.”
As for their offensive success, all
three are quick to point out their success will depend upon the help of
their teammates.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be in the position I am,” said
Henry Jacobsen. “It’s truly a blessing to
be able to compete with a great team
that is backing us up and protecting us.
We are going to get our ring this year.”
[email protected]
Frisone
go out there and just run the plays,”
said Frisone. “There will be a lot more
consistency in the passing game.”
He credits Addison Duma-Kenny,
who was the ’Canes quarterback during Frisone’s freshman year, for helping him learn the playbook. This year,
he said his confidence is up entering
the season.
“The toughest part then [last season] was getting everyone lined up
because I didn’t know all the formations,” said Frisone. “This year, I’ve
just gotten stronger and I can put
more on the ball. Being able to physically get the ball where I want has
given me that confidence, and it’s a
lot easier now than it was a couple of
years go.
“It will be nice not having to rely on
the guys in the backfield so much,” he
added. “Obviously, they will be there,
but being able to pass the ball will give
us more of a balance this year.”
An important part of that passing
attack will be the receiving corps.
Frisone has established a good relationship with seniors Darren
Govan and Paul Pauchey,
under center this season, Frisone
is confident that the offensive line
is as strong as it ever has been, so
the Hurricanes will move the ball
offensively. But he also believes the
’Canes will have a solid defense.
That should enable Coral Shores to
be in the thick of the conference title
chase this year, after
coming up a game
short of the title
last year.
“That’s what we
set out to do every
year,” said Frisone
of a conference title.
“Whenever you don’t
make it to your ultimate
goal, it’s a disappointing
year. It didn’t end the way
we wanted it to last year,
so obviously that gives us
that much more [to shoot for]
going into this year. We know
it’s going to be tough to get
back, but we are a better
team. Sure, we lost some
Coral
guys, but we’ve got
Shores
some new guys and
quarterback,
everyone is bigger
Nick Frisone, above. Below from
and stronger.”
along with junior Austin Seabolt.
Despite his improved ability to pass
the ball downfield, the southpaw said
he is not out to eclipse any personal
records this season, but rather to continue adding tallies in the win column.
“I don’t even know what I threw for
last year,” he said. “I’ll do whatever we
have to do to win.”
With a senior-laden
squad, Frisone said he
still feels he can continue to lead by example.
“I know that I
have guys here
that will help
me out a lot,”
he said. “I do
feel a little
more pressure,
but it’s football
and we are just
having fun.”
W h e n
he steps
left, Darren Govan, Paul Pauchey,
Juan Mayo and Brian Cash
tive ribbing between
the defensive stalwarts. The
one thing they all agree on
is that Pauchey is the fastest
of the group.
that’s just going to come. I
think we really are going
to keep a lot of teams
from scoring.”
There’s a lot of
healthy competi-
Secondary
jwcooke@keysnews.
com
“Last year, every time nitely a rivalry between us.”
While they all admit they
someone would get a pick
they would run off the field would rather be playing
and say, ‘That’s one for me,’” defense, each of them have
responsibilities
said Govan. “So, there is defion the offen-
Hurricanes
SCHEDULE
The conference schedule
was assigned by random
draw and Coral Shores
will have to start the season sharp landing defending co-champions Coral
Spring Charter and LaSalle,
which was a playoff team,
at home in the first two
weeks of the season.
The Hurricanes then
must travel the next three
weeks including a trip to
2012 SFC champion Palm
Beach Benjamin, which
Holly said will be a good
test for the postseason run.
“We have a very, very
tough schedule and they
are looking forward to that,”
said Holly. “High expectations are a good thing, and
we have high expectations
for them. They understand
what it takes.”
Missing for the Coral
Shores schedule this season is Keys rival Marathon,
sive side of the ball. Pauchey
is the team’s placekicker and
a receiver along with Govan
and Mayo, and Cash is the
backup quarterback.
“We really are always
together whether we are
on offense or defense,” said
Pauchey. “We’ve all been
together for awhile now. I feel
◆
21
which is in the SFC developmental subdivision.
“It’s a tremendous rivalry
and the No. 1 question I get
is why are you not playing
Marathon,” said Holly. “But
I understand where they are
at because we were there a
few years ago. We just wish
them all the best of luck in
building that program up
so we can get back on their
schedule. I really expect
them to be back on the
schedule before too long.”
Despite the high expectations, Holly is always
quick to remind this players that the journey to
the fifh quarter and a title
begins with Week 1.
“We have an opportunity
to do a lot but you can’t put
the horse before the cart.
We have to take care of
the first game,” said Holly.
“We don’t have to win the
first game, but we have to
compete and work hard.
As long as we are in that
position, we will take our
chances against anybody.”
[email protected]
we can get the job done no
matter what we are doing.
“I think if we don’t make
it to where we want to go
[postseason], it will be disappointing because it is our last
year,” he added. “For some of
us, this is our last shot, so we
want to do it together.”
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384733
22
◆
PREP FOOTBALL ’14
KEY WEST CONCHS
Z. Hughes
W. Gregurich
B. Cassis
A. Freeman
A. Henriquez
C. Fletchall
C. Hughes
C. Luna
C. Curry
D. Rivas
D. Cannon
D. Burke
I. Archer
M. Age
J. Golver
J. Edwarss
K. Langston
K. Horne
L. Marius III
D. Daley Dixon
M. Cleaver
D Fisher
P. Estevez
P. Ortiz
P. Barnett
R. Rodriguez
S. Graveline
S. Roberts
T. Smith
V. Carson-Emily
L. Turney
S. Hall
J. Shaddock
J. Anilus
M. Sargent
D. Mompoint
E. Williams
A. Wynn
A. Howard
J. Mann
MARATHON DOLPHINS
R. Garcia
T. Lancaster
M. Keller
A. Perry
M. Boone
R. Wells
Trace Goodwin
J. McDonald
M. Companioni
B. DiMarino
M. Hemeyer
D. Valladares
S. Poole
Thad Goodwin
T. Violissi
J. Mejia
J .Fox
S. Roberts
S. Sainz
C. Freeman
V. Coleman
B. Pinkley
A. Mejia
R. Crespo
M. Elliot
Harriette’s Restaurant
Celebrating 32 years!
Home of small talk
& tasty portions
305-852-8689
95710 Overseas Hwy. • Key Largo 33037
MM95.7
384732
PREP FOOTBALL ’14
◆
23
CORAL SHORES HURRICANES
A. Mendoza
A. Tomas
A. Bautista
A Cosme
S. Correa
B. Hofsetter
A. Seabolt
B. Pope
P. Null
B. Griffin
B. Cash
B. Gonzalez
B. Peixoto
C . O’Berry
C. Miller
C. O’Neill
C. Frisone
C. Snodgrass
J. Greer
C. Kennedy
J. Fleita
D. Jiovenetta
D. Govan
D. Williams
E. Dunn
E. Evans
E. Woods
G. Jacobsen
R. Bannerot
P. Pauchey
S. Kraus
G. Nicoletti
V. Caffaro
H. Jacobsen
Z. Absten
J. Machesic
J. Renfroe
J. Polanco
J. Kubiola
Z. Grannaway
S. Sinnamon
S. Walters
S. Saenger
T. Walker
J. Mayo
L. Rowe
L. Scott
M. Smith
N. Frisone
ISLAND CHRISTIAN EAGLES
384818
K. Ihrig
A. Dudley
A. Parrado
Z. Phair
T. Jones
D. Krakower
C. Martin
D. Dostaker
J. Lopez
L. Davis
D. Calderwood
J. Prince
FULL BAR
Eclectic Wines & Amazing Food With Waterfront Dining
77522 Overseas Hwy.
Islamorada - MM78
305-664-0535 • www.Robbies.com
LIVE MUSIC
Weekends
& Selected Nights
OPEN DAILY
BREAKFAST 6:30-11am • LUNCH 11:30am-5pm
DINNER 5:30-9ish
HAPPY
HOURS
Mon - Fri
4-6pm & 8-close
HALF PRICE
HOUSE COCKTAILS
HALF PRICE
DRAFT BEER
& SHOT SPECIALS!
HOME OF THE
Tuna Martini
AND THE
Trailer Trash
Blood Mary
Tim Rahn Photography
384667
PREP FOOTBALL ’14: ISLAND CHRISTIAN
MEagles
AKING THEIR MARK
return to gridiron in 8-sided game
BY J.W. COOKE
ISLAMORADA — When
new headmaster Dr. Jason
Harrison
first
arrived at Island
Christian school,
he was surprised to find
there was no
football team
and, in fact,
no fall boys
sports team.
He quickly
rectified that
situation and
brought an eightsided football to the
campus.
“I’ve played football for my entire life
through college and
after college and I realize that this is important
for these young men,” said
Harrison. “It teaches them
discipline and character;
we need leaders in school
and this builds leaders.”
Harrison is a graduate
of Cumberland University
in Tennessee, and has
been coaching football at
the arena, semipro and
collegiate levels for 16
David Caldewood
NO. NAME
7 Adam Dudley
17 Conner Martin
1 Damion Krakower
11 David Calderwood (C)
21 Jeremy Dorn (C)
◆
25
Island Christian Schedule
Friday, Sept. 5
Friday, Sept. 12
Friday, Sept. 19
Friday, Sept. 26
Friday, Oct. 3
Friday, Oct. 10
Friday, Oct. 17
Oct. 21
Oct. 31
seasons. He moved to the
Keys eight months ago to
become the headmaster at
Island Christian.
“Our course, it’s been a
lot of work and there is a
lot of room for growing,”
said Harrison. “Some of our
boys have never even seen
the game played before ,or
even watched it on T.V.”
Harrison opted to join an
eight-man league this year
instead of the six-man play
which the Eagles played two
seasons ago because
it more closely
resembles the traditional game.
“Going from a roster of 90 kids to not
even 20 is interesting,” said Harrison.
“But our goal is to
Harrison
get to 11-man football, so I figured why
start at six then go to eight before
going to 11. Let’s just start at eight.”
@ Redland Christian
Golden Rule Academy
Westwood Chriatian
Redland Christian
BYE WEEK
@ Golden Rule Academy
@ Westwood Christian
Playoffs Week
Championship
ball out of the triple, but I think we
will be doing some reading and some
running and that will be our bread
and butter.”
Five players must be on the line
of scrimmage in eight-sided football
with three of those being down linemen — in essence losing the tackles
on the outside of the line. Protecting
Calderwood’s blindside this season will
be senior Tucker Jones. The only other
experience on offense for the Eagles is
at the running back position.
“Almost everything is the same,”
said Harrison. “Six-man is a little wild
OFFENSE
The Eagles will line up in the triple as far as the rules. Eight-man is a lot
option this season behind sophomore more traditional.”
signal caller David Calderwood.
DEFENSE
“He’s very smart and I think he
With less players on the line,
will be able to read those guys,” said
Harrison. “We also have a couple of Harrison said the Eagles run a shell
fast guys, so I think the triple option 2-3 defense, which is similar to a 4-3
will fit us well. You can also throw the in 11-man football. With the league
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
TBA
TBA
leaning more toward the run, the secondary will be playing closer to the
line and the linebackers first step will
be toward the running back.
“It’s got the same reads for the linebackers,” said Harrison. “Not that they
don’t throw in this league, but without
the lineman to block, the quarterback
is going to do a lot of running. So we
are going to use a defense that stops
that.”
Entering the season, senior Jeremy
Dorn will be the focus of the Eagles
defense playing the free safety position for the 15-man roster, six of which
are middle school age.
“All the teams are kind of in the
same boat right now and are struggling to get kids out,” said Harrison.
“They are all smaller schools with
fewer boys.”
See EAGLES, page 26
2014 ISLAND CHRISTIAN ROSTER
POS.
RB/ OLB
FB/CB
FB/MLB
QB/FS
WR/DT
GRADE
Fr.
7th
Fr.
So.
Sr.
NO. NAME
90 Jesus Lopez
15 Josh Prince
23 Kurt Ihrig
20 Liam Davis
9 Marcus Gallen
POS.
RG/DT
LG/DT
WR/CB
RB/CB
WR/CB
GRADE
Fr.
7th
So.
7th
NO. NAME
56 Rodrigo Parrado
80 Stephen Dostaller
14 Tucker Jones (C)
5 Zane Phair
POS.
C/OLB
C/MLB
LG/DT
RG/OLB
GRADE
8th
So.
Sr.
So.
26
◆
PREP FOOTBALL ’14: ISLAND CHRISTIAN
Jones has been waiting for return of football
without a team to play for, Jones said he
has continued to train during the past two
seasons with hopes of football returning.
“Last year, I was really close to walking
into Coral Shores and registering,” said
Jones. “But because we had been hearing
rumors that football was going to come
back, I stayed. We just never had enough
players to bring it back. This year, I don’t
know why, but we had a lot of people come
out.”
It also made it easy for Jones to stay at
Island Christian because he had already
established a strong bond with the staff and
his peers at the private school.
“I know everyone here and I’ve made
a lot of friends,” said Jones. “I also really
enjoyed being on the baseball team. But
it’s so much better having football back,
because I want to be here and I don’t want
to move out of the school.”
Last time the Eagles fielded a team it was
part of a six-man league. Jones figures making the move to eight-man football could
possibly help build toward an 11-man team
one day.
“You get two extra people on the field, so
there is less open space,” said Jones. “That
should make it a lot easier. Six-man football
you have to run a lot because of the open
fields, while eight-man football is more like
11-man.”
Jones is only one of two seniors on the
Eagles 15-man roster this season, most
of whom know very little about the sport,
which is keeping his expectations limited
for this first season.
“It’s a learning curve, especially starting
a new team after two years,” said Jones.
“None of these guys have played on a team
before, and the seniors are really the only
ones that have any experience. So there
BY J.W. COOKE
ISLAMORADA — It has been a long two
years for Tucker Jones as he waited for
the return of football to Island Christian
school. In fact, the senior nearly transferred
to Coral Shores before receiving the news
the Eagles were
going to be once
Tucker
again field an
Jones
eight-man football team.
Jo n e s
l a s t
played
as
a
freshm a n
on the
Eagles’
six-man
squad.
He said the
absence of
a fall sport
has made
the school
year longer.
“It’s been
really sad,”
said Jones. “I
don’t play basketball, so all
I’ve had to do
is play baseball
the
last two
years.”
Even
Eagles
is a lot of pressure, especially with all the
younger kids looking up to you.”
Despite the lack of general knowledge or
size, with seventh and eighth graders making up part of squad, Jones still expects his
team to be evenly matched this season.
“I think all the other teams we are playing are about the same age, so we shouldn’t
have a problem there,” said Jones. “I’m just
expecting our team to come out and do the
best we can.
“I think this year is more about building
a structure for the team to build on,” he
added. “We just need to get players that
want to commit themselves, because we
have seventh graders on the team that will
have five years to play. If we can get them
rooted, then when they are seniors they will
have a really strong core.”
Despite moving up to eight-man football,
Jones said he is expecting to see smaller
players on the teams they will be playing in
the six-man league. Either way he will have
to be a major factor in most game at both
left guard and defensive tackle.
“I really want to finish this year out strong
knowing that I had a part in putting this
back together,” said Jones.
It may not be Coral Shores, but after two
years of hard work without anything to
show, Jones is exactly where he wants to be
for his final season — on the gridiron playing football.
“They always compare us to Coral Shores
and we are not as big as them obviously,
but that’s good because it really gives these
younger kids a chance to play,” said Jones.
“We will see when the first games come
around actually how much we’ve learned. It
seems like we’ve put a lot of hard work and
sweat in, so hopefully it pays off.”
SCHEDULE
Most of the teams Island Christian
will be playing this season are within
an hour’s drive of the Islamorado campus. Facing off against other small christian academies and charter schools has
Harrison optimistic about the upcoming
season.
“They are adapting well, training well
and putting heart into it,” said Harrison.
“I think we are going to win some games
because we really do have some talent
out there and there is untapped potential.”
The Eagles will open the season on
Sept. 4, and will be playing a majority of
their games on Friday afternoons since
most of the teams in the league do not
have lights on their home fields.
It will be an eight-week schedule, and
Island Christian will play each league
opponent once. With exactly eight teams
in the league, each squad will be guaranteed at least one playoff game in a
single-elimination tournament.
“We are looking to get organized this
year and get the basics down,” said
Harrison. “The kids are still feeling out
playing in the pads, but they seem excited.”
Harrison said that he hopes the time
he spent at the college and arena levels
will help his new program build toward
eventually becoming an 11-sided team.
“It’s different in the fact that we are
playing with less guys and with players
that don’t have any experience,” said
Harrison. “So, there are all kinds of transitions, but overall, it’s football.”
[email protected]
[email protected]
384821 FB
BEAUTY
SHOP
103400 Overseas Highway
Suite 102 ~ Key Largo, FL
305-451-7005
384823 FB
384820
Florida Keys Jewelry
Ph 305.453.0177
Email [email protected]
Tradewinds Shopping Ctr. 101427 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo
ISLAND
PET LIFE
on How to
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a Keys
While Living In The Florid
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2013
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GUIDE is also available on our website as
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BOARD CERTIFIED IN ORTHOPEDIC, ARTHROSCOPIC & SPORTS MEDICINE SURGERY
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391834

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