High School Football Previews: Class 2B [The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville]

Aug. 28--District 2-2B

Bradford

Head coach: Derek Chipoletti (first year; 7-4 overall).

Last year: 4-6 (1-4 in 2-2B).

Key returners: Donelle Williams (LB-RB, Sr., 5-11, 190); Tramaine Harris (WR, Sr., 5-11, 180); Ya'keem Griner (WR-TE, Sr., 6-4, 210); Cameron Moore (OL, Sr., 6-4, 300).

Key newcomers: RJ Buxton (QB-TE, Jr., 6-3, 210); Dexter Clayton (RB, Jr., 5-7, 165).

Outlook: A new era starts at Bradford with Derek Chipoletti taking over a program that has had just one winning season in the past five years. He'll have some talent to work with as Williams, Harris and Griner could all land with Division I programs. The key for the Tornadoes could rest with newcomer RJ Buxton and how quickly he develops as the starting quarterback.

Fort White

Head coach: Demetric Jackson (fourth year, 19-14).

Last year: 5-5 (3-2 in 2-2B).

Key returners: Alexis Blake (WR/DB, Sr., 5-9, 165); Zack Bentley (OL/DL, Sr., 6-2, 285); Dylan Newman (DT, Sr., 6-3, 255); Kyle Leland (OG, Sr., 5-10, 240).

Key newcomers: J.R. Dickson (RB, Sr., 5-10, 185); Xavier Wiche (DB, Sr., 5-10, 240).

Outlook: With an inexperienced offense, eight senior starters on defense will have to carry the Indians early in the season until the offense comes together. Sophomore Wesley Pitts was scheduled to be the Indians starting QB but suffered a broken arm the first week of practice, leaving the job to one of two freshmen. The Indians' back-to-back playoff appearances ended last year with a 5-5 record.

Union County

Head coach: Ronny Pruitt (first year; 26-19 overall)

Last year: 4-6 (1-4 in 2-2B).

Key returners: Lonnie Gosha (DL, Sr., 6-2, 275); Bryan Holmes (WR, Sr., 6-0, 175), Kendall Wright (LB, Jr., 6-0, 170); Justin Tyson (RB, Sr., 5-9, 175).

Key newcomers: Chandler Mann (QB, So., 6-0, 180); Garrett McRee (OL, Sr., 5-9, 280).

Outlook: The Tigers are small on both sides of the ball and are looking to improve on their defensive play after allowing at least 21 points in nine of 10 games in 2009. Ten seniors will provide good leadership and experience led by college prospects Gosha and Holmes. Mann is inexperienced but has talent and will likely lead the Tigers offense this year.

District 3-2B

Bolles

Head coach: Corky Rogers (22nd year, 246-30; 39th year overall, 388-69-1).

Last year: 13-1 (6-0 in 3-2B), Class 2B state champions.

Key returners: Nate Theus (OL, Sr., 6-3, 260); John Theus (OT, Jr., 6-5, 291); Mike Salem (C, Sr., 6-1, 210); Matt Cheney (DT, Sr., 6-4, 260).

Key newcomers: David Frechette (QB, Sr., 6-1, 190), Jonathan James (DB, Jr., 5-9, 172).

Outlook: Since 2002, Bolles has won a state championship in every even year since. The Bulldogs have lost a total of eight games in the last eight years but with the loss of so many starters from last year, it will be hard-pressed to maintain that average. The non-schedule is again challenging, including a game against last year's 1A state champion American Heritage.

Episcopal

Head coach: David Hess (sixth year, 25-27).

Last year: 6-4 (4-2 in 3-2B).

Key returners: Max Reber (QB, Sr., 5-10, 165); Garrett Scantling (WR/DB, Sr., 6-2, 195); Matt Delk (OT/NG, Sr., 6-2, 280); Mike D'Andrea (OT/LB, Sr., 6-2, 230).

Key newcomers: Caleb Duke (LB, Sr., 5-9, 175); Dan McCarthy (RB/LB, Jr., 5-10, 180).

Outlook: Three season-ending losses including a pair of districts spoiled a 6-1 start for the Eagles in 2009. Things could be different this year with 8 offensive starters returning from an offense that averaged 360 yards a game last year. A stronger emphasis on defense should help that unit which allowed 154 points in the last three games of the season.

Fernandina Beach

Head coach: Ed Brown (seventh year, 20-31).

Last year: 2-8 (1-5 in 3-2B).

Key returners: Conner Lawrence (G, Sr., 6-1, 260); Conner McNamee (LB, Sr., 5-10, 180); Malcolm Wilcox (G/NG, Sr., 5-8, 350); Matt Swinton (WR, Sr., 6-0, 170).

Key newcomers: Cole Willis (QB, So., 5-10, 170); Emanuel Brown (DE, So., 6-4, 180).

Outlook: The Pirates will build the offense around four senior starters on the offensive line, all of whom have good size led by Wilcox's 350 pounds. "We shot ourselves in the foot several times last year but we'll have better execution this year," Brown said. The sophomore Cole will need to develop in a hurry for a schedule that includes Providence, West Nassau and Bolles in the first half of the season.

Interlachen

Head coach: Willie Offord (first year).

Last year: 1-9 (0-6 in 3-2B).

Key returners: Tamarick Williams (ATH, Sr., 6-1, 205); Melvin Middleton (S-P, Sr., 6-2, 185); Erik Clemnos (ATH, Sr., 5-9, 180); John Makatura (OG, Sr., 6-0, 210).

Key newcomers: Kion Williams (ATH, Sr., 6-1, 215); D'Adrian Allen (ATH, Fr., 6-2, 190).

Outlook: The Rams will turn to Offord to try and resurrect the program that has won just one game in the last three years and has not had a winning season this decade. A group of nine seniors who put in extra work during the summer will provide the leadership that could bring more success this year.

University Christian

Head coach: Heath Nivens (fourth year, 20-12; eighth year, 39-33 overall).

Last year: 5-5 (2-4 in 3-2B).

Key returners: Chris Spurling (QB, Sr., 6-0, 185); Caleb Anderson (WR, Sr., 5-9, 170); Greg McGruder (DB, Sr., 5-11, 185); Oreton Gibbs (DB, Sr., 5-8, 175).

Key newcomers: A.C. Leonard (TE-WR, Sr., 6-3, 240); Brandon Meyers (DL, Jr., 6-2, 300).

Outlook: The Christians had a solid group of returning players and then received a major boost when multi-talented A.C. Leonard joined the program for his senior season. He'll be used in multiple ways on both sides of the ball. Spurling is a 3-year starter who has most of his receivers returning from last year. With nine starters back on defense, the Christians look to have the total package.

West Nassau

Head coach: George A. Nelson (third year, 12-9; 28th year, 181-101-7 overall)

Last year: 8-3 (5-1 in 3-2B), lost 33-13 to Trinity Catholic in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: Earl Youman (RB, Sr., 6-0, 210), Seth Valez (FB, Sr., 5-9, 185), Konnor Thomas (DB, Sr., 5-9, 155), Mike Park (LB, Sr., 5-11, 200).

Key newcomers: Cody Collins (DL, Sr., 6-3, 303), Ryan Riddle (OL, Sr., 6-5, 265).

Outlook: Talented running back Garrett Hammett has departed, but Valez gained nearly 1,000 yards last year in a limited role. Newcomers Collins and Riddle will add size and depth to both sides of the line. The Warriors came within nine points of state champion Bolles in their district matchup last year.

Yulee

Head coach: Bobby Ramsay (third year, 12-8).

Last year: 7-3 (3-3 in 3-2B).

Key returners: Derrick Henry (TB, So., 6-3, 220), Kelvin Rainey (TE/LB, Jr., 6-3, 210), Kenny Stewart (DL/OL, Sr., 6-3, 295), Conner Petty (QB, Sr., 5-8, 160).

Key newcomers: Cody Miller (OL, Jr., 6-1, 265), Gunner Cox (LB, So., 5-8, 170).

Outlook: The Hornets have gone from two wins to five to seven the last couple of seasons and there could be more success this year with an offense that features the powerful Henry. He gained nearly 2,500 yards and scored 21 TDs a year ago in his freshman season. "After seeing him in his first game last year, we felt then he might be a once-in-a-generation type player in Nassau County," Ramsay said.

District 4-2B

Keystone Heights

Head coach: Chuck Dickinson (12th year, 56-52).

Last year: 5-5 (1-4 in 4-2B).

Key returners: Reggie Thomas (RB/DB, Sr., 6-0, 178), Ryan Latner (WR/DB, Sr., 6-0, 165), Zack Lambert (SS, Sr., 5-10, 165), Tyler Jolley (OL, Sr., 5-9, 255).

Key newcomers: Alex Gonzales (RB/CB, So., 5-7, 160), Luke Prezkuta (LB/NG, Jr.,5-6, 150)

Outlook: The Indians' offense received a setback when talented QB Brantley Lott suffered a torn labrum while playing baseball, causing him to miss the entire football season. "Our main concern is a lack of depth so we've got to stay away from any more injuries," Dickinson said.

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