ANALYSIS: Naples won a State title in 2007 and another one earlier in the decade. They were a quarterfinalist last year. Charlotte also made the quarterfinals after a big win vs. Venice in the second round of the playoffs. Manatee, Riverview, and Southeast all have a rich tradition and have been State Champions. Venice had an undefeated regular season and seemed primed for a showdown with St. Thomas before being upset in round two.
TOP 7 TEAMS
1. CHARLOTTE: This team handled Manatee early in the year setting up a showdown with Venice for the District. They were throttled at home, but won the rest of their games and got their revenge in the second round when they went to Venice and won. Charlotte looked outstanding in a Spring Game win vs. Cape Coral.
Kyle Midgett is back at QB and the experienced signal caller showed great improvement from sophomore to junior year. He is not asked to throw it around the field(although he could), but makes consistent throws, mainly to favorite target Alex Mut. The 6'3 sure handed junior wideout is one of the state's best kept secrets. The big play threat is 'speedy'....Mike Bellamy. The would be junior has elite jets and has flat produced since he stepped on the field two years ago. He is threat to score every time he touches it. He torched a very fast Cape Coral secondary in the Spring. Byron Grant and Antwan Allen headline an offensive line that is capable of being dominant. Grant starts at OT but has a bright future at OG at the next level.
The Tarpons will need to find a replacement for MLB Brandon Ross. Transfer Darion Shine immediately upgrades the secondary. Versatile Nick Stephenson should also see time back there. Both Grant and Allen are expected to see snaps at DT.
After handling Cape Coral in the Spring things certainly look up for the Tarpons. There are experienced play-makers here and Coach Waldrop's system is a proven winner. They will more than likely see Cape again down the road, and then perhaps Armwood. With Midgett, Bellamy, and Mut this offense should keep them in every game.
2. VENICE:Venice rolled through much of their schedule, but a late season injury stalled one of the most prolific offenses in the state. They have won their District two years in a row.
Everything revolves around Trey Burton. Simply put, he is the most dominant runner from the QB position in the state. His physical style wears on defenses. There is no question that Venice will miss Dri Archer aka 'Lightning', the diminutive speedster was a perfect complement to Burton. Justin Grant looked excellent in the Spring, he may not have the pure jets of Dri, but he is much bigger and brings an added dimension. Bo Ceravolo transfers in from Cardinal Mooney and he should be the main weapon at WR. TE Beckett Wales is one of the state's best and has excellent timing with Burton. Speaking of Burton, his brother Clay, a would be junior, is another TE/DE who is actually bigger than his older brother. He got his feet wet in 2008 and has great potential. Brian O'Leary will anchor an OL that is dealing with some key departures. O'Leary has been one of the state's best centers, but might move to OT in 2009.
Brandon Wilkinson, a USF commit, is poised for a big senior year at DE. He is an excellent athlete with 6'4, 210 pound size. He is very intense on the field. Clay Burton, Dino Fanti, and O'Leary should also see time on the DL. The loss of defensive play-maker Ethan Mix will be felt. Josh Boyle and Grant (at safety) are two pieces to the secondary.
There are times when Burton just takes over a game, he is that dominant. He holds the keys to an offense that might lack big play potential, but should move the ball consistently. The DL has the potential to be one of the state's best. After a first round exit in 2007, then a second round exit in 2008, we expect the Indians to take the next step and perhaps get St. Thomas in the semi-finals.
3. CAPE CORAL: Expectations are sky high for the Seahawks in 2009. After a quarterfinal run in 2007, they were ousted in round one in 2008, the good news is that it is this senior class of players that have been the key to their success.
Play-makers abound on the offensive side of the ball. Athlete Jaylen Watkins, a UF commit, is expected to play QB and he can do a lot of things to move the ball. At RB Spencer Boyd, a Notre Dame commit, should be healthy and ready to do what he always does, make plays. He is great in tight spaces, runs hard, and has the speed to take it the distance. Transfer Jeremy Davis, a Miami Commit, brings speed, speed, speed to the backfield. At WR Larry Gary and Prince Holloway are a good 1-2 punch. Holloway has deep speed and despite being a junior has two years starting experience. Gary has a great body and has worked hard on his speed, he could break out this year. The OL needs to get better, Dan Koenig is a great first piece, but he needs help. The bodies are there and the hope is that this unit gets better every week.
Defensively, the athletes (Watkins, Boyd, Davis, Holloway) will form the fastest secondary in the state. They are all being recruited for the defensive side of the ball. Josh Monteagudo and Kadeem Russell are a couple of stout LB's. Monteagudo, a rising junior, will knock you out and showed great ball skills with 5 picks last year. Newcomer Edsel Caprice has big expectations at DE.
It was a very disappointing Spring game for Cape, but that could be the 'proverbial' wake up call. There is too much talent, too much speed, for this team to not make some noise. The OL is the key.
4. MANATEE: High expectations surround the Manatee program and in 2007 they lost a close one in the second round at Cape Coral and were the odd man out in the three team race with Venice/Charlotte in 2008. They will be hungry this year. A 56-0 beatdown of Largo in the Spring Game was a good start.
Brion Carnes has three years of starting experience, when you have that much time under center, this is the year for special things to happen. When Carnes is running hot, he looks fantastic, he needs that first completion to get going. He can move the ball with his feet. His favorite target will be Ace Sanders another three year contributor for the Hurricanes. Super quick with outstanding burst, he is a play-maker when he gets the ball in his hands. Mike Blakeley is another player who is a big play weapon. Like Sanders, he can make people miss inside a phone booth. He has been moved around from RB to WR and even taken some snaps. With Axon's departure, he may get the ball at RB.
Manatee plays tough defense and 2009 will be no different. They are young in spots but LB's Darius White and Quenten Bundrage are a good place to start. A quick secondary that hits should compensate for a lack of great size up front.
Manatee once again draws a tough District with Venice, Riverview, and Sarasota. Venice is the favorite here. Should they get one of two playoff spots, they will be a better team late in the year.
5. DUNBAR: A tough, heart-breaking loss on one of the last play's sent the Tigers home in the second round of the playoffs at Naples. However, valuable experience was gained and they open the season with that same Naples team....this time at home. A lot returns, but they will need to find replacements for four big time players: QB Melvin German, ATH Miguel Rodriguez, WR/CB Antavian Edison, and S Aramis Calloway.
There is not a RB who runs as hard as Jorvonte Jones. He is terrific between the tackles and looks to inflict punishment on defenses. He has plenty of speed and has plus hands. They add ultra talented Darius Deloach to the mix. He has all the tools and showed that as a sophomore at Immokalee. WR Joel German returns to do his thing, run precise routes and make acrobatic catches. He is a complete WR who has added speed to his game. A pair of transfers from Bishop Verot are also in the mix offensively: Senior Schon Thomas and junior Chris James. Thomas is an athlete who certainly will play some CB, but should find a role offensively as well. James may be the QB, if not he will slide out to WR.
Defensively this was perhaps the top team in the state to watch last year. Undersized, they flew to the football and hit....and hit. More of the same is expected in 2009. Senior Desmond Kearse returns after a 25 sack campaign in 2008, he has the state's best first step. LB Kion White is an athlete with good size. Alonte Smith is a football player, he will find a role on this defense. Keep an eye on Champ Lewis, the junior S has a reputation as a fearsome hitter.
For a team that lacks some size, a move to 2B is just what the doctor ordered. If German does not get hurt last year at QB, they are probably in Orlando. If they find a QB, this team will see Pahokee in the State semi-finals.
5. NAPLES: After a state title in 2007, Naples lost two games to Monsignor Pace in 2008, the latter being in the quarterfinals. Few teams are coached as well as this one.
There is no way for Naples to replace their version of 'thunder of lightning', Carlos Hyde and Greg Pratt were consistent big-time players for the Golden Eagles. They also received a stellar senior campaign from QB Juno Prudhomme and lost some offensive linemen, namely Nick Alajajian. Bottom line, they will be short on experience. Kyle Zech was penciled in as the starting QB, but Naples went ahead and won a state baseball title keeping him on the diamond for Spring ball. Sophomore William Crook took advantage and he has a very bright future. Chris Krieg figures to take over at RB. Cameron Schlagel will be the top WR and he has D-1 potential. The OL will be young, but this is one area where they need not worry, the players will step and this coaching staff will coach them up.
Defensively Naples is always stout. It was a terrific defense that led them to a state title two years and they will count on it again. LB Jose Davila will be the leader and he is a tackling machine. Josh De La Cruz is a defensive linemen to watch while S Lucas Foreman is long and fast, he will make a name for himself this year.
Naples finds themselves in a 7 team District with rivals Lely, Golden Gate, and Collier. Two Lee County teams also showed potential throughout Spring, East Lee County and Lehigh. The 'Coconut Bowl' with Lely is always a good one and Lely showed last year they can play with Naples. Bottom line, things will not be as easy for Naples as it has been the last two years, but they are still expected to make the playoffs. Once there, anything can happen, the youngsters won't be so young and the coaching staff will have them ready to play.
TEAMS TO WATCH: South Fort Myers, Lely, Collier, East Lee County, Desoto County, Southeast, Riverview
ALL AREA PRESEASON: QB Trey Burton, RB Darion Hall, RB Marcus Shaw, RB Mike Bellamy, WR Joel German, WR Ace Sanders, WR Sammie Watkins, TE Beckett Wales, OL Byron Grant, OL Casey Gross, OL Dan Koenig, OL Corbin Jackimowicz, ATH Eric Mitchell, ATH Jeremy Davis
DE Desmond Kearse, DE Brandon Wilkinson, DT Dalton Wertz, DT Antwan Allen, LB Jose Davila, LB Terran Williams, DB Spencer Boyd, DB Jaylen Watkins, S Jonathan Dowling, CB Jhony Faustin, S Tre Boston, S Joseph Byrd