GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With the final step to fully closing the 2017 season is almost here, we are proud to reveal our candidates for our Class 7A Coach of the Year candidates. For Coach of the Year, five coaches are selected as candidates based upon the resume they had for the season. For Player of the Year, three players are selected on offense and three on defense as candidates for Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. One player from each classification of the six candidates total will be selected as the Overall Player of the Year for their respective classification.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Watch the first team reveal for all eight classifications including the award winners for Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Overall Player of the Year, this Wednesday night on the FloridaHSFootball.com Gridiron Report on Varsity Sports Network, starting at 8:00 p.m. EST / 7:00 p.m. CST by clicking here.
Without further ado, here at the candidates for 2017 Class 7A Coach of the Year:
• John Peacock, Venice, (14-1) – In what was Venice’s best season since 2000, Peacock, lead his team to their second straight state semifinal appearance knocking off defending Class 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas with a prolific quarterback, and wide receiver who led the nation in receiving yards in 2017.
• Darrell Sutherland, St. Johns Bartram Trail (11-4) – After leading to his team to state semifinal appearances in 2007, 2011 and 2013, the fourth time was finally the charm for the Bears to get to their first state championship appearance in school history. Sutherland has been the head coach at the school since it opened in 2000.
• Jase Stewart, Doral Academy (10-3) – Guided the Firebirds to their deepest playoff run in school history, reaching the regional finals after knocking off perennial power Dwyer in the regional semifinals.
• Jude Blessington, West Palm Beach Forest Hill (8-2) – Guided the Falcons to their first playoff berth in 21 years, competing toe-to-toe with West Broward in the Regional Quarterfinals.
• Damenyum Springs, Orange Park Fleming Island (10-3) – Led the Golden Eagles to their first playoff berth since 2013 and their deepest playoff run since 2010 by reaching the finals.
