Instead of selecting a Preseason All-Region team, which a lot of preseason teams get based off recruiting rankings, we decided to think outside of the box. That thinking lead us to recognize 16 players from each region who were big play makers last season that should be able to match or exceed expectations for the 2015 season. As such, we call this list the “Super 16.”
Here are the 2015 Super 16 selections for the Southwest Florida Region
Jack Allison (Sr., QB), Palmetto
Why: Everyone is expecting Allison to have a breakout senior season at Palmetto. Last year Allison threw for over 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns in what was a rough season for the Palmetto football team. Palmetto should improve under Allison’s leadership this season.
Chase Balliette (Jr., LB), Braden River
Why: Balliette provided a huge spark for the Pirates defense last season collecting up 74 total tackles, 15 tackles for lass, three sacks while having one interception, forcing two fumbles and recovering one fumble. Balliette will be a key leader for the Pirates defense this season.
Tyler Byrd (Sr., DB/WR), Naples
Why: The hard thing for Byrd last season was having enough stats as opponents stayed away from him each game played. He did manage 46 tackles and two interceptions, while having 228 receiving yards and three touchdowns on offense.
C
hris Ceasar (Jr., RB), Evangelical Christian
Why: Ceasar was impressive last season for the small Southwest Florida school carrying the ball 218 times for 1,416 yards, while scoring 12 touchdowns. He should be able to replicate those statistics for his junior year with the Sentinels.
Kory Curtis (Jr., QB), Island Coast
Why: Despite the transitions going on for Island Coast, the one thing that has remained consistent is winning and having athletes who can perform. Curtis is one of those guys and racked up over 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns last season as sophomore and should improve upon those numbers this year.
Darrian Felix (Jr. ATH), Fort Myers
Why: Felix was the do everything man for the Green Wave as the reach the playoffs last year. Felix scored 21 total touchdowns with 15 coming on the ground while four were receiving and the other two being the result of kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Andrew Fowler (Jr., QB), Marco Island Academy
Why: Not to forget what is going on at the small schools, Marco Island Academy has their own guy doing some nice things. Last season, Fowler racked up over 1,800 yards and throwing 18 touchdowns for the Manta Rays. Fowler will be the key leader on offense this season for Marco Island Academy.
Rasheed Golden (Sr., WR/DB), Ida Baker
Why: Golden was a big player maker last season for the Bulldogs, collecting up nearly 800 yards in receiving on 52 receptions and nine touchdowns. Overall he had over 1,100 all-purpose yards and on defense had 30 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Jarrod Hewitt (Sr., DL), Venice
Why: The rising senior had 70 solo tackles last season and 35 assists last season plus collecting up 12 sacks, four quarterback hurries, one blocked punt and forcing and recovering a fumble each. Hewitt will help anchor what could be a solid Indians defense.
Jacob Huesman (Sr., QB), Braden River
Why: Huseman led the unknown Pirates to its first undefeated regular season in high school history as well as its first district title, plus helping the team reach the regional semifinals for the first time as well. Braden River is expected once again to have another big season with a lot of athletes returning.
Kwanzi Jackson (Sr., DL/LB), Manatee
Why: Jackson had 25 sacks among 84 total tackles last season. Also had 27 quarterback hurries, blocked two punts, forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles on the way to having a huge junior season for the Hurricanes.
Zach Lackman (Sr., LB) Dunbar
Why: Lackman was a big producer on the defensive side of the ball in 2014, collecting up 141 tackles, 80 of those being solo while having 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and forcing two fumbles and recovering three fumbles. Lackman also picked off two passes as well.
Jerry Nunez (Sr., K), Naples
Why: Nunez is one of the top kickers in the state and is poised for a huge senior season with the Golden Eagles. In 2014 Nunez made 51 of 55 point after touchdown, had 59 touchbacks on kickoffs all while setting the school record for the longest field goal in a game at 51 yards.
Chris Riley (Sr.. DB/P), Naples
Why: Riley did double duties for the Golden Eagles last season and is likely to do them again this season. Riley led the team in tackles with 103 last season, 61 of those tackles being solo. He also averaged over 39 yards per punt.
Travon Rumph (Sr., DB), Manatee
Why: Rumph had 95 tackles last season which included 54 solo tackles and 13 tackles for loss. Rumph also had 3 blocked punts, nine pass deflections and two interceptions for the 2014 state semifinalist Hurricanes football team. Rumph will be the anchor of the defensive backfield without question.
William Scott (So., RB), South Fort Myers
Why: Scott was a big a producer on the offense at Bishop Verot last season, carrying the ball 149 times for 1,225 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns. Scott also had 210 yards receiving on 18 receptions, while having 321 kickoff return yards and 140 punt return yards. This year, Scott is taking his talents down to South Fort Myers.
Honroable Mention:
Bradenton Christian: Zach Cooper Jr. (Sr., RB)
Charlotte: Elijah Mack (Sr., RB)
Clewiston: Davis Witt (Sr., QB)
Evangelical Christian: Chris Ceasar (Jr., RB)
Gulf Coast: Lukas Masterson (Sr., DD)
Immokalee: David Nelson (Sr., OL)
Manatee: Nick Null (Sr., K)
Naples: Robert Green (Sr., LB)
North Fort Myers: Zaquandre White (Jr., RB)
South Fort Myers: Willie Johnson (Sr., WR); Andre Polk (Sr., DB)
Southwest Florida Christian: Tristian Upton (Sr., RB/WR/LB)
Venice: Sage Lee (Sr., DB)
Photo Credits
247Sports: Allison, Byrd, Felix, Huesman, Jackson, Lackman
Hudl: Balliette, Curtis, Fowler, Golden, Laurent, Nunez, Riley, Rumph, Scott
