ANALYSIS: Bolles in Jacksonville took home another state title in 2009, while programs like Nease, Mainland, and St. Augustine have been factors consistently. A host of teams should be in the mix in 2009 as it is an 'up year' talent wise in the area.
TOP 5 TEAMS
1. MAINLAND: The Buccaneers went 11-1 in 2008 and have extremely talented junior and senior classes. They are playing 'up' in 6A, but are really a 4A school based on school size. They are one of the favorites in the North bracket to get to Orlando.
The offense should be explosive with WR's O.J. Ross and Chevin Davis. Both players have elite speed and were ultra productive as juniors. It is as talented of 1-2 combo as there is in the state. Junior RB Marlin Lane possesses all the tools to be a national recruit next year. His incredibly quick, light feet at his size is beautiful to watch. There is plenty of size up front with Mike Kilgore and Garrett Clark. One issue is at QB, they need to find someone to get the ball down the field. Several options are available.
The defense has a bunch of play-makers led by CB Ricardo Allen. Allen lacks great size, but plays bigger, he hits, and he can flat cover. Junior Cortez Davis has elite size, he punishes ball carriers. Marcus Arline is the leading returning LBer after Anthony Hamm suffered an injury that might keep him out for the season. Long time contributor Kenneth Kirksey will once again lead a talented DL.
Everything boils down to the QB play....if they get it, this team is the odds on favorite to get to Orlando. An early season test vs. Miami Central will be very telling.
2. BOLLES: 2008 was just another state title for Florida's winningest program...it was their 9th overall (all 9 since 1986). They were playing as well as anyone at the end of the year.
QB Chandler Carr will take over the reins full time as a senior and he is a very talented thrower. With a live arm and accuracy, he should enjoy a lot of success next year. RB Jawan Jamison likewise will be counted on to carry more of the load after sharing carries with Stephen Barnett in 2008. He has great wheels. Jacob Stenson is a versatile player who could see time at RB, FB, or TE. He can catch the ball and get the tough yards. Senior Jay Herndon returns at WR and he should build on an impressive junior campaign. The OL is always one of the best units in the state, Brent Benedict is a national recruit who has committed to Georgia. Bolles tends to be smaller up front, but they are well coached and explode off the ball.
Leading the defense is senior Desmond Cooper. The rangy ballhawk will come up and hit you in the mouth. LB Josh Hood seems to be in on every play, he makes a ton of ton of tackles. They will be looking for some players to step up on the DL.
While Bolles drops to 2B from 2A, they do now sit in Pahokee's classification. This is the game that many are looking forward to seeing, but both teams have to get there.
3. ANDREW JACKSON: The Tigers finished with an undefeated record, but were ousted in the second round of the playoffs.
A couple of versatile weapons should lead the offense once again. Senior's Derek Owens and Marquel Wade just need to get the ball in their hands and something good will happen. Both have legit wheels. WR Dorian Guy is another option at WR, he is bigger than Owens/Wade and more of a natural receiver. An experienced OL returns and that should be a plus for a team looking for a QB.
Kendricks Bailey, Montague Mack, and Montavis Mack should make one of the better DL's in North Florida. LB Jared Henry returns to clean up what they miss. Owens/Wade can both be used in secondary with Kennard Malhone.
This team should be better in 2009 than 2008, that should translate to at least a quarterfinal run in 3A and perhaps more. Arnold does lurk one district up and could be a first or second round playoff game. Wade/Owens will need to carry this team at times.
4. ST. AUGUSTINE: This program continues to win, after a state final appearance in 2007, they followed that up with a 12-1 quarterfinal appearance in 2008. More of the same is expected.
QB Kyle West returns to build on a solid junior season. He will have WR Markis Merrill to throw to and RB Duane Brady to big up yards on the ground. Merrill and Brady both have speed. A strong OL should make things easy for West.
The defense is more of a question mark. They need to find some replacements all over the defense, but particularly LB. The system is in place and the talent is there, albeit young.
On paper the big game looks like Andrew Jackson vs. St. Augustine. This program and it's players are used to winning, it may be enough there.
5. FLETCHER: The Senators were 10-1 in 2008 and are looking to win more games in the playoffs this year.
Much of the optimism resides with QB Jake Medlock. The talented signal caller returns and is poised for a breakout year. Medlock can do it all. He will miss Lamar Scruggs, but does have plenty of talent around him. TE Chase Howell provides a big target in the middle of the field. Dylan Bostick keys the OL in the run game.
With DB's Jake Giusti, Khalid Smith, DE Jamaul Christopher, and LB Taron Johnson returning there is plenty of talent on this side of the ball. They were very consistent, but need to take the next step and start shutting down the opposition instead of giving up 13-25 points.
Medlock is the key here, it will take some time to get on the same page, but come playoff time no one will want to play Fletcher.
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Deland, Seabreeze, Orange Park, Raines, Trinity Christian, Baker County, First Coast, Providence, Terry Parker, Spruce Creek, Nease, Pine Ridge, Fleming Island
ALL AREA PRESEASON
QB Jake Medlock, RB Marlin Lane, RB Casey Turner, WR Javon Bell, WR Sean Tapley, WR O.J. Ross, TE Neil Basford, OL Dylan Bostick, Brent Benedict, OL Ian Silberman, OL Tre Pettis
DE Jamaul Christopher, DE Addison Denney, DT Louis Nix, DT Tavaris Barnes, LB Demetre Baker, LB Mark Joyce, LB Josh Hood, CB Ricardo Allen, CB Derek Owens, S Marquel Wade, S Desmond Cooper, DB Joe Johnson
GAME OF THE YEAR: November 13. Mainland at Seabreeze