Four Down Daily: Tuesday June 5, 2012

Four Down Daily: Tuesday June 4, 2012
Four Teams to watch in Class 2A

With last year being the first year of the new Class 2A Urban Division, the mostly private school classification several teams emerged as leaders or teams to be force to be reckoned with. It is also now apparent that the split between Class 2A and Class 1A will be remaining as such for the foresable future as the FHSAA recently deemed the Class 1A Rural Division a success. With that said there are a couple of teams that we expect will emerge out of the state semifinals and make it to Orlando this season, but we also do think the other teams listed will be just as worthy at a chance to get there as well.

1st Down
Region I – North Florida Christian
Although most of the starters from North Florida Christian’s first ever perfect season from start to finish have graduated there is no reason not believe they don’t have a chance again this year. With the powerhouse status that the Eagles have maintained over the past two decades they have set the bar high and have been able to maintain for most of that time period. Head Coach Robert Craft knows that it will take some adjustments to improve from a tight spring game loss to Taylor County. Moving past not having QB Matt Dobson and S Travis Blanks this year doing their magic will be tough, but Kraft will have some other seasoned players coming back including WR Branton Lee and RB Jonathan Vickers on offense while CB Jakari Allen and S Tony Fields will be back to make impacts on defense. Overall, the Eagles know what need to be done to repeat and will have the attempt to do so. (Editor’s Note: North Florida Christian will again have an automatic playoff berth due to the 2-team District 1-2A. The other team in the district is FAMU).

2nd Down
Region II – Warner Christian
There was some swinging back and forth on this region because of some uncertainties, but right now the safest bet on any team emerging  out of this region is Warner Christian. Although the Eagles will be under a new head coach for the first time in 13 years, with Steve Allen taking over Andy Price who left for the head coaching job at Titusville. However with a good group of talent coming back, the Eagles should not be hard pressed to win the district again and get a few rounds deep. Allen has had experience coaching playoff teams from his prior tenure at Flagler Palm Coast which has been in the highest class in the state for many years. The key player to watch this year will be running back Marcus Dixon. Dixon is on track to become Warner Christian’s all-time leading rusher to surprass Breon Allen who was instruamental for getting the Eagles to several state final appearances in the last few years.

3rd Down
Region III –  Admiral Farragut
While last year’s Blue Jackets team was not even favored by a long shot to make the state finals they proved everyone – with a younger squad than what they saw on the North Florida Christian side at the Citrus Bowl. With a season under their belts that will be remembered by all who follow Admiral Farragut, this team will be ripped to make another deep run, this time with experience they can use knowing now how to reach the dream of getting to Orlando. Key players to watch out for include fullback Todd Macon who had over 1,000 yards rushing last season with safety/running back Napoleon Maxwell helping out along the way. While the offense will lose more starters to graduation than defense (including S Rayshawn Jenkins), the Blue Jackets will have some talent to use despite having to play some both ways due to limited numbers.

4th Down
Region IV – Glades Day
Glades Day almost made it back to Orlando, but got cut short by Admiral Farragut’s dream season in the state semifinals. However, the Gators want redemption and will do almost anything to show just how good of a team they are from the muck of Belle Glade. Just how good they want to prove themselves? Take a nearly 7 hour ride to near the Florida-Georgia Border to play the Yulee Hornets in what will televised on ESPN come Week 5 (September 28th). Also with that this will be running back Kelvin Taylor’s final year at Glades Day, a story that we have watched for the last few years as Taylor has made a name for himself. Taylor, who became owner of the state all-time rushing record last season, will be looking to pad that record this year and with the schedule slate ahead it is pretty safe to assume he will. Pretty much call it as you see it, but Taylor is the main reason this team has won games over the last few years.