• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Partnerships
  • Internships
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
Subscribe Now!
FloridaHSFootball.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Scoreboards
  • Football
    • Playoffs
    • Recruiting
  • Flag Football
    • District Standings
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
    • Box Score Report Submission
  • Regions
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northeast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/central.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southwest.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Shows
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northeastflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-centralflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southwestflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Florida PRI
  • Rankings
  • Forums
  • More
    • Events
      • Media Days
        • North Central Florida HSFB Media Day
        • Tampa Bay Buccaneers HSFB Media Day
      • All-Star Games
        • North Central Florida All-Star Classic
    • FHSAA
    • Opinion
  • Log In
  • Home
  • Scoreboards
  • Football
    • Playoffs
    • Recruiting
  • Flag Football
    • District Standings
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
    • Box Score Report Submission
  • Regions
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northeast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/central.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southwest.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Shows
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northeastflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-centralflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southwestflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Florida PRI
  • Rankings
  • Forums
  • More
    • Events
      • Media Days
        • North Central Florida HSFB Media Day
        • Tampa Bay Buccaneers HSFB Media Day
      • All-Star Games
        • North Central Florida All-Star Classic
    • FHSAA
    • Opinion
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
FloridaHSFootball.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Preview Guide

Sunshine State 25: Preseason No. 11 – Columbus

August 10, 2015
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Team: Columbus Explorers
Sunshine State 25 Preseason Ranking: No. 11
Head Coach: Chris Merritt
2014 Record: 13-2

Join The Discussion: Sign up for a FREE user account | Discuss on our message boards here

Look Back On 2014

The Explorers reached the Class 8A state championship game last season, their first state championship appearance in nearly three decades. The Explorers fell to Apopka in what was a very close game between the two teams.

Players To Watch

WR Jerron Rollins, Sr.; DE Joshua Uche, Sr.; ATH Christopher Henderson, Jr.; LB Guy Thomas, Jr.; DB Trajan Bandy, Jr.; DB Marlin Brooks, Jr.; DB Josh Jobe, Soph.; OL Kyle Mann, Sr.; Alex Ros, Sr.; RB CJ Henderson.

The Outlook

After coming off their best season in nearly 30 years, the Explorers are looking to keep the momentum going in 2015.

Offenisvely, the Explorers will have to fill in holes at quarterback and wide receiver after losing Tucker Beirne and Austin Maloney due to graduation. Alex Ros will step into the starting role at quaterback this season after waiting his turn last year behind Beirne. Ros’ main target will be returning receiver Jerron Rollins and he should be able to surpass the 660 yards receiving he had last season. Kyle Mann will be the leader of the offensive line for the Explorers, while CJ Henderson will step up in the role as the leading rusher with Ivan Smith transferring out of Columbus for his senior season.

Over on the defense, there will be a lot of talent that will be rising juniors taking a role. Linebacker Guy Thomas will be one of the leaders for the defense while Trajan Bandy, Josh Jobe and Marlin Books will help anchor the defensive backfield.

Columbus knows what the standard is as a team and know that Coach Merritt’s expectations are very high. This Columbus team has a chance to go far this season, but will only get as far as where the preparation and determination of this team takes them.

The District

District 8A-14 gets smaller by just one team, with South Miami going to Class 7A, but that really does not mean anything at this point. With teams like Coral Gables and Miami High still in the fold, the playoff race can be open to at least these three schools at the moment. However, given the nature of Columbus being able to perform extremely well year-in and year-out in district play, we feel confident to say they will bring home another district championship this season.

Three Games To Watch

Friday 8/21 at Winter Haven – Although this is a preseason game, this game is certainly worthy of keeping an eye on. Winter Haven is sort of like Columbus in the ways of having talent, but not brand-name talent. Both teams look to be equally matched on paper and this will help the Explorers smooth over any kinks before opening with Miami Jackson the next week.

Friday 9/25 vs. Belen Jesuit at FIU Stadium – This annual rivalry between the two biggest Catholic school football programs in Miami-Dade draws over 10,000 fans in most years and this year should be no different. This games has been known to be a full four-quarter battle in most years and for fans who are looking for a great rivalry game to go should certainly put this game on the list. It is worth the price of admission and more.

Friday 10/30 vs. Coral Gables at Tropical Park – Instead of playing Coral Gables early in the district schedule, this game will now be the last district game for both teams. As such, we expect both Columbus and Coral Gables to have already locked up the playoff spots for District 8A-14 and this game deciding the district championship. It will be the most important game for either team on the schedule this season.

Join The Discussion: Sign up for a FREE user account | Discuss on our message boards here

Previous Sunshine State 25 Countdown Stories
No. 12: Oakleaf
No. 13:
Dr. Phillips
No. 14:
Manatee
No. 15:
Armwood
No. 16:
Lakeland
No. 17:
Niceville
No. 18:
Delray American Heritage
No. 19:
Dwyer
No. 20:
Wakulla
No. 21: Naples
No. 22: 
Lake Gibson
No. 23: North Marion
No. 24: Palm Bay Heritage
No. 25: Bishop Moore

Related Posts

St. Thomas Aquinas is projected to be among the top teams in Class 5A once again in 2025 [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: 2025 season Class 5A district Projections with projected win-loss records

Class 4A will see top teams like defending state champion American Heritage (Plantation) and runner-up Jones be competitive in their districts again in 2025. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: 2025 season Class 4A district projections with projected win-loss records

Miami Northwestern and Raines are expected to be among the top teams in their districts in Class 3A in 2025. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: 2025 season Class 3A district projections with projected win-loss records

Defending Class 2A champion Cocoa could be looking at an impressive season in 2025. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: 2025 season Class 2A district projections with projected win-loss records

Chaminade-Madonna is expected to be one of the top teams in Class 1A once more in 2025. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: 2025 season Class 1A district projections with projected win-loss records

IMG Academy's National and Junior National teams are expected to have strong seasons in 2025 [X/@IMGAFootball]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Predicted 2025 season win-loss records for Independent teams

Next Post

2015 West Central Florida Region Schedules

2015 East Central Florida Region Schedules

Advertisement

.
.

Advertisement

.
.

Advertisement

.
.
FloridaHSFootball.com

© 2025 Florida HS Football, LLC. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partnerships
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Subscribe Now
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Scoreboards
  • Football
    • Playoffs
    • Recruiting
  • Flag Football
    • District Standings
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
    • Box Score Report Submission
  • Regions
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northeast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/central.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southwest.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
  • Shows
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northeastflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-centralflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southwestflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
  • Florida PRI
  • Rankings
  • Forums
  • More
    • Events
      • Media Days
      • All-Star Games
    • FHSAA
    • Opinion
  • Log In

© 2025 Florida HS Football, LLC. All rights reserved.