Four Down Daily: Monday June 4, 2012
Four Teams to watch in Class 1A
For the next 8 Four Down Daily’s we will go over teams to watch in each classification for the 2012 season. Some of the teams you might see might not be in the championship picture right now, but the fact of what each team brings to the table could be enough to propel them into the spotlight of the Citrus Bowl come early December. It also can be said the teams you see mentioned are likely to be ranked teams going into the pre-season, but those rankings not be revealed until mid-August.
Today we will start with Class 1A. With Class 1A being small town football, this is where you will find towns that will shut down on Friday nights still and find everyone at the stadium. This year is the second year of Class 1A football in its rural formation and no one is certain once the trial run is over if Class 1A will remain this way or not after this season. We will know more prior before reclassification drafts come out, likely to be in early December. With that said though, there are some really great teams that look to be on the cusp either having a shot for playing a state title, repeating again or at least doing some damage and stopping others from having a shot.
1st Down
Region I – Northview
The Northview Chiefs have made strides the last couple of years, making some deep playoff runs and coming close to getting to the state championship game. Over that stretch Northview has played a mixed of schools ranging from similar size schools of its enrollment that is near 600 to schools well past 1,000 or more. That has helped strengthen a team that knows it can compete against the big boys and take that approach into the playoffs. With running backs Roderick Woods and La’Mikal Kyles to be back again for their final season a ground attack will likely be in order while seeing a few others play at least both ways. No matter what though the Chiefs chances for a deep playoff run for the third year in a row look very promising.
2nd Down
Region II – Holmes County
While Holmes County won its district and getting past Chipley the first time during the season, the second time was not enough to prevent them from going Orlando. Now fast forward now, Chipley has lost its main man that shot them into its first title game appearance in school history and some are not sure if they can likely pull a repeat trip off. Knowing that and looking at the success Holmes County pulled off under first year head coach Brad Johnson, a lot believe the Blue Devils have a chance this year. While starting QB Ethan Ross has departed due to graduation his brother RB Kodi Ross will lead the rushing attack that worked very well alongside running backs Junior Miles and Jonathan Williams. If Holmes County does in fact make the state championship this year, it would be the first time since 1987 when the lost to Avon Park in the Class 2A final 34-0.
3rd Down
Region III – Jefferson County
Jefferson County, the defending Class 1A State Champion, almost lost their head coach this off season and that could have dealt a blow to the team despite most of the team returning. However with that now all passed the Tigers are moving forward and look poised to go after their seventh state title and go for back-t0-back state titles for the first time in school history. Prolific passing QB Lenorris Footman will be back after having a nearly 2,000 yard passing season, but will be minus his running back brother, Alphonso, who has graduated and is headed to Northern Arizona on scholarship. Wide receivers Ladarian Smiley and Tre’veyan Edwards will back, giving Lennoris Footman his favorite targets to throw to again. Overall, the Tigers only lose 7 starters to graduation, giving the Jefferson County faithful a lot of hope to believe in a repeat season.
4th Down
Region IV – Union County
Ronny Pruitt is now going into his third season as the head coach of the Union County Tigers and the bars have been set higher than ever now. The push to get Orlando is now in place and the faithful of Union County would like to go see their team play for a title for the first time since 2003.  The Tigers will return a lot of the roster from last year and appear only to be losing the same amount of seniors that Jefferson County will be losing to graduation. If the same fundamentals and structure are applied again, there is not doubt that Union County will be better prepared, especially once the playoffs roll around in November. Look for a rushing attack to likely be utilized again with only a little passing to be used when warranted. Players to keep eye on for the rushing attack that includes running backs Prince Alexander, Walter Mabery and Daquin Edwards.
