GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The finalists for the 2016 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football and Football Coach of the Year have been announced following balloting by a statewide panel of high school football coaches and prep media representatives.
Every finalist was the leading vote-getter in his classification, making each one the Player of the Year or Coach of the Year in his class. The two overall winners will be announced following a final round of balloting by coaches and media.
Finalists for the 2016 Mr. Football Award:
Mike Dean, Senior, Quarterback, Vero Beach, Class 8A Player of the Year
Dean led his team to the regional finals by completing 197-of-284 passes (69.4%) for 3,032 yards with 33 TD passes and only three interceptions. Also rushed for 7 TDs.
Matt Laroche, Senior, Running Back, Venice, Class 7A Player of the Year
Laroche led his team to the state Final Four by rushing for 2,742 yards on 236 carries (11.6 avg.), averaging 210 yards rushing per game with 37 TDs. He also had seven receptions for 162 yards and scored four 2-point conversions.
Michael Carter, Senior, Running Back, Navarre, Class 6A Player of the Year
Carter led his team to the state Final Four by rushing for 2,536 yards on 296 carries (8.5 avg.) while scoring 41 rushing TDs. He also caught 37 passes for 415 yards and 2 TDs and averaged 38 yards on 10 kickoff returns with 2 TDs. Committed to the University of North Carolina.
Nick Tronti, Senior, Quarterback, Ponte Vedra, Class 5A Player of the Year
Led his squad to the state championship game, completing 217-of-325 passes for 3,328 yards with 34 TDs and four interceptions while also rushing for 615 yards on 115 carries (5.7 avg.) with 19 TDs. Committed to UNC-Charlotte.
Bruce Judson, Senior, Quarterback, Cocoa, Class 4A Player of the Year
Led his squad to the state championship, completing 62-of-94 passes for 1,163 yards with 16 TDs and four interceptions while also rushing for 866 yards on 130 carries (6.7 avg.) with 9 TDs. Committed to the University of South Florida.
Shaun Wade, Senior, Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back, Trinity Christian, Class 3A Player of the Year
Helped his squad to its fourth straight state title, catching 27 passes for 520 yards (19.3 avg.) and 6 TDs on offense while posting 63 tackles (42 solo) with seven interceptions (2 TD returns) on defense. Committed to Ohio State University.
Griffin Alstott, Senior, Quarterback, Northside Christian, Class 2A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state Final Four by completing 164-of-296 passes for 2,410 yards with 31 TDs and 8 interceptions. Also rushed for 235 yards and 8 TDs. Committed to Purdue University.
Dentarrius Yon, Junior, Quarterback, West Gadsden, Class 1A Player of the Year
Led his team to the regional finals by completing 180-of-296 passes for 3,075 yards with 38 TD passes and 8 interceptions. He also rushed for 582 yards on 72 carries (8.1 avg.) and 10 touchdowns.
Jarrett Conkling, Junior, Quarterback, International Community School, Independent Player of the Year
Two-way standout completed 92-of-178 passes for 1,113 yards and 12 TDs, rushed for 2,187 yards on 200 carries (10.9 avg.) and 21 TDs, had 96 tackles on defense (70 solo) and had a 37.9 yards punting average.
Finalists for the 2016 Football Coach of the Year:
Billy Rolle, Miami Southridge, Class 8A Coach of the Year
Became first coach in state history to win state titles at three schools (Northwestern 1998 and 2007; Killian 2004) by leading Southridge to the Class 8A state title in his second year at the school. Has a career mark of 170-56.
O.J. Small, Robert E. Lee, Class 7A Coach of the Year
In the school’s best season in 20 years, Small led Lee to a 10-2 record and a spot in the state Final Four, where the Generals dropped a highly-competitive semifinal contest to Tampa Plant, 27-19.
Doug DeMyer, Lake Gibson, Class 6A Coach of the Year
In his first season at Lake Gibson, DeMyer led his squad to a 13-1 record and a state runner-up finish after a tough 14-6 loss to Carol City.
Matt Toblin, Ponte Vedra, Class 5A Coach of the Year
Led team to a 13-1 record and a state runner-up finish after a tough 35-33 state title game loss to unbeaten American Heritage. In three years at Ponte Vedra has posted a 24-11 record and has an overall mark of 41-18 in five years.
Johnny Wilkinson, Cocoa, Class 4A Coach of the Year
Led team to the state title with an 11-1 record, Wilkinson’s fourth state title (2008-09-10-16) and 10th consecutive state Final Four appearance. Career record of 147-40, including a 132-25 mark in 13 years at Cocoa.
Dameon Jones, Chaminade-Madonna, Class 3A Coach of the Year
In his first year at Chaminade, led squad to a 10-4 record and a state runner-up finish. Posted a 71-18 record in nine years at Hallandale High School.
Dennis Marroquin, Champagnat Catholic, Class 2A Coach of the Year
In his second year at Champagnat, led squad to an 11-2 record and a state runner-up finish after finishing 3-7 in 2015.
Orson Walkes, Pahokee, Class 1A Coach of the Year
In his first year as head coach at his alma mater, Walkes posted a 14-0 record as Pahokee won its seventh state title. Walkes served as an assistant on four previous Pahokee title-winning teams (2004-06-07-08).
Keith Allen, King’s Academy, Independent Coach of the Year
In his second year at King’s Academy, led team to an 11-0 record and the Southeastern Football Conference title after finishing 4-6 in his inaugural season. Coached six years at D-II Southwest Baptist University before joining King’s Academy.
