BISHOP MOORE HORNETS
Head Coach: Matt Hedrick
District: 5A-13
2015 Record: 14-1
Offensive Formation: Hybrid Wing-T
Defensive Formation: 3-4
RETURNING ATHLETES
Name, Height, Weight, Year, Info & 2015 Stats in parenthesis
• TE/DE Jonathon MacCollister, 6-4, 240, Sr. (Notre Dame Commit)
• RB/DB Joe Wallace, 5-9, 190, Sr. (750 rushing yards, 10 TDs as a Jr.)
• RB/DB Trillion Coles, 5-9, 175, Jr. (1,272 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs; 268 receiving yards, 3 Rec. TDs; 3rd team FHSF 5A All-State Elite Team)
• OG Eric Seidelman, 6-2, 275, Jr. (NCAA Division 1 Prospect; Started all 16 games as a sophomore)
• FS/WR Bobby Spitulski, 6-2, 185, Sr. (70 T, 5 Solo, 2 INTs, 1 FR, 1 FF, 7 PBU; Started all 16 games as Jr. as FS
• RB/DB CJ McNeal, 5-9, 175, Sr. (991 rushing yds., 13 TDs on 120 carries, 5 catches, 10.7 hundred meters)
• OC Tripp Cannon, 6-5, 275, Sr. (started every game as a junior on state championship team)
• OG Bradley Alexander, 6-3, 295, (Ivy league and FCS offers)
NEWCOMERS ON THE FIELD
Name, Height, Weight, Year, Additional Info in parenthesis
• WR/DB/RB Caleb McMillan, 6-1, 180, Jr.
• DE Donovan Winter, 6-4, 238, Sr.; Jr. (Michigan State Commit)
2016 SCHEDULE
* – denotes district game
• Aug. 26 at Edgewater, 7
• Sept. 2 at Lyman, 7
• Sept. 9 vs University (Orange City), 7:30
• Sept. 16 at Poinciana, 7*
• Sept. 23 BYE WEEK
• Sept. 30 vs South Lake, 7:30*
• Oct. 7 at South Sumter, 7:30
• Oct. 14 vs Tavares, 7:30*
• Oct. 21 vs Bartow, 7:30
• Oct. 28 at Eustis, 7*
• Nov. 4 vs Lake Brantley, 7:30
STORYLINES TO FOLLOW
Don’t Poke the Hornet’s Nest: After finishing last season kings of the Class 5A with a near perfect 14-1 record, the Bishop Moore Hornets look to start this season off right where they ended. Under head coach Matt Hedrick, the Hornets are 116-44 and finished atop of their district for the past 7 years. Including the playoffs, Bishop Moore outscored their opponents 530-182 and look to bring back that high-powered offense along a strong defense that pitched 3 shutouts last season.
Can Bishop Moore repeat as 5A state champs?: Everything is lined up for the Hornets and coach Hedrick to repeat. If it weren’t for a 20-17 loss in the 2014 5A state title game against American Heritage (Plantation), then we could be possibly be talking about a potential three-peat. Top offensive targets like Notre Dame commit tight end Jonathon MacCollister and running backs Joe Wallace and Trillion Coles will lead the way for Bishop Moore. The Hornets should have no problem in district play as they have 31 consecutive district wins. The toughest part for coach Hedrick will be finding a replacement for three year starter Collin Hartmann at the quarterback position.
Defensive Test: Seniors Jonathon MacCollister and Donovan Winter should provide a solid foundation for an inexperienced but talented defense. Winter and MacCollister were apart of last year’s 5A state championship team and will be joined by defensive back Caleb McMillian a newcomer to watch. A young but talented defense, two Division I commits in MacCollister and Winter will provide leadership for the rest of the team.
KEY NON-DISTRICT GAME TO WATCH
Aug. 26 at Edgewater – The “Battle of College Park.” For the second straight season, these two teams will open the regular season off against each other. Last year, Bishop Moore crushed Edgewater 35-7 at home and the year before on the road, 27-7. Crosstown rival – more practically cross-the-street rival – Edgewater would love to start off the 2016 season with an upset at home against the Hornets in the season opener. This one could be an instant classic or for the third straight year, a Bishop Moore blowout.
KEY DISTRICT GAME TO WATCH
Sept. 30 vs. South Lake – South Lake is looking to be one of the top contenders in 5A-District 13 this season. If Bishop Moore wants to extend their winning streak of 31 consecutive district wins and 7 straight District titles, they must go through the Eagles. It shouldn’t be a problem for the Hornets as it is a home game and they defeated South Lake last year 34-7 on the road. Despite this, anyone can win on any given night.
THE OUTLOOK
In this year’s spring game, Bishop Moore played on the road against Dr. Phillips. After three-quarters of varsity play, the Panthers won 21-14 over the Hornets. (4th quarter was JV, final score 21-16). Is this a wake up call for coach Matt Hedrick? Possibly, but remember it was only a spring game. Rising sophomore quarterback Jake Kiefer connected with MacCollister for a 22-yard touchdown in the first drive of the game which is a good sign of things to come for Kiefer and the Notre Dame commit in MacCollister. Despite the loss, coach Hedrick believes his team is ready and excited for this season; it was of course only spring football.
Last year’s 5A State championship was Bishop Moore’s first football title since 1970. For the Hornets to repeat as 5A champs, they will have to replace star quarterback Collin Hartmann, as noted before, or at least attempt to. Running backs Joe Wallace and Trillion Coles will have to step up and share the load in the back field. The offensive line and talented running backs should pave the way early until a young defense catches up. Bishop Moore should be fine on offense with seven returning starters. Of course no offense is complete without a strong offensive line. Guard Eric Siedelman and guard Bradley Alexander, both Division I prospects, will path the way for Wallace and Coles. Both Siedelamn and Alexander are key in protecting the quarterback and helping put points on the board.
Last season, Bishop Moore was a perfect 6-0 playing at home and finished the season off ranked 9th in the state and 94th in the state according to MaxPreps. Their only loss on the year came on the road against Lake Brantley, a team that reached the 8A regional semifinals in the postseason.
With only two returning defensive starters, the Hornets will have a tough task of following last year’s act of allowing single digits or less in 10 different games. Free safety Bobby Spitulski, who had two interceptions, 7 PBUs and 70 tackles last year, will be a threat for any quarterback looking to throw deep down the field. Talented for sure, inexperience might be a weakness for the new faces of the Hornets’ defense. Despite this, MSU commit Donovan Winter and company are a key part if Bishop Moore wants to return to the state playoffs, let alone repeating.
Coach Matt Hedrick has high hopes for this year’s Bishop Moore team which will be led by multiple division one commits on the field. A fast and talented offense with a combination of a dangerous defense, the Hornet should find themselves making a deep run in the playoffs. Going for their eigth straight district title, the Hornets look to prove themselves in hopes of back-to-back state titles. Will Bishop Moore repeat or will they make an early exit in November? The pressure is on, but we feel confident that they are a dangerous team to play no matter the venue.
