Here are the 2015 Preseason First Coast Regional Rankings from FloridaHSFootball.com
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1. Trinity Christian Conquerors
2014 Record: 12-2
Key Players: Jalin Buie (Sr., RB), Dominique Ross (Sr., LB), JC Flowers (Sr., WR), Rasheed Martin (Jr. RB), Billy Cobb (Sr., QB), DJ Matthews (Jr., WR), Derek Smith (Jr., FS), Dae’Quantae Showers (Jr., ATH), Eriq Gilyard (So., LB), Reggie Gunn (Sr., LB), Shaun Wade (So., DB)
Why: The two-time defending Class 2A state champs start the season with another huge target on their backs, though the Conquerors dont seem to mind. After a heavy 2015 graduation class, many began doubting the program could three peat; but a strong nucleus of returnees plus several key transfer additions including Matthews (First Coast), Smith (Fleming Island), Showers (Fleming Island) and Gilyard (Ed White) have the Conquerors poised to three peat again.
2. Oakleaf Knights
2014 Record: 12-1
Key Players: Shaq Quarterman (Sr., LB), Keyland Brown (Sr., RB), DeAndre Steelman (Sr., LB), Nick Roberts (Jr., DB), Jordan Johnson (Jr., QB), Je’Vieonte Nash (Sr., OL), Javonte Ferguson (Sr., WR), Desmon George (Sr., WR/RB), Cari Coleman (Sr. WR), Marcus Johnson (Sr., WR)
Why: Oakleaf was able to sneak up on teams last season and rolled through the regular season undefeated before falling in the third round of the playoffs to Niceville; they won’t be able to sneak up on anybody this season. The scary thing is the entire offense is back as is most of the defense giving coach Derek Chipoletti a problem most coaches would love to have too much talent and not enough balls to give everyone. The Knights are about 10 deep at receiver all legit deep threats including big time transfer Ferguson, who left Ed White.
3. Bolles Bulldogs
2014 Record: 11-3
Key Players: Mac Jones (Jr., QB), E.J. Porter (Jr., RB), Will Mitchell (Sr., RB), Zack Crosby (Sr., TE), Joe King (Sr., DB), Ahman Ross (Jr., SS)
Why: Glancing at the visitors side of Skinner Barco Stadium proudly displayed is the programs 11 all-time state titles in chronological order. What you won’t see is the schools five state runner-ups, as the Bulldogs don’t aknowledge those. The last three years have all ended the same with the Bulldogs falling to Booker T Washington in the state finals. There is a good chance those two might meet again for a fifth straight time. If Bolles is able to get there it will be because of an offense led by Kentucky committ Jones that scored over 500 points and a defense that posted four shutouts and held three other opponents to under 7 points.
4. Raines Vikings
2014 Record: 8-4
Key players: Rick Wells (Sr., WR), Ronald Patterson (Sr., WR/FS), Alex Rutledge (Sr., RB), Dajuan Jackson (Sr., RB/DB), Michael Pinckney (Sr., LB), Augie Debiase (Sr., QB), Dalvin Storey (Sr., WR), Solomon Kindley (Sr., DL), Jaquan Bailey (Sr., DL), Joshua Bailey (Sr., DL)
Why: On paper this might be Raines best team since winning the 1997 state title. Whether or not Raines is able to bring home the school’s second state title depends on if the Vikings can stay humble, stay hungry and dethrone Bolles when it counts. A receiving core featuring Wells and Patterson, both D-I recruits whom combined for 1500 yards, got even deeper with the addition of Storey from Ed White to go along with Debiase, a transfer from Providence and Rutledge (1,163 yards); while the defense is lethal behind Pinckney, Kindley and the Bailey twins.
5. Clay Blue Devils
2014 Record: 10-2
Key players: Bilal Ally (Sr., RB), Colin Wilson (Jr., RB), Jarrod Leeds (Jr., OL), Raequan Williams (So., RB), Angel Valdes (Jr., RB), Jaylan Jenkins (Jr., WR), Tony Stephenson (Sr., WR), Tyler Allen (Sr., DT), Jake Smith (Sr., QB)
Why: A year after a stunning run to the 5A state championship game, Clay had to be very disappointed with a second round loss to Bishop Kenny. Those are the high expectations set now by coach Josh Hoekstra. Gone are the days of just getting to the playoffs, Hoekstra built this program to expect yearly long playoff runs. The one-two combination of Wilson (1555 yards, 27 TDs) and Ally, whom missed the season with a torn ACL, is back along with backups Williams and Valdez, whom both got significant reps when Ally was injured. Clay will lean on its offense a lot early on while its inexperienced defense grows up.
6. St. Augustine Yellow Jackets
2014 Record: 10-2
Key players: Cole Northrup (Jr. QB), Jaquise Russell (Jr., RB), Jarriel James (Sr., RB), Connor Evans (Sr., LB), Jacoby Feleciano (Jr., DB), Donald Sapp (Sr., WR), Mike Isaacs (Sr. LB)
Why: Longtime coach Joey Wiles has set the bar exceptionally high for a consistent public school program over the years. Under Wiles, the Jackets are 190-43, have made 16 straight playoff appearances, won 11 straight district titles while bringing home one state championship and two state runner-up finishes. There is no reason to think either of their two streaks will end with a nucleus of weapons including third year starter Northrup (1011 yards, 10 games), Russell (889 yards, 14 TDs) and James on offense. The Yellow Jackets defense has always been a force and will be led by Evans (67 tackles, 8 tackles for loss).
7. Bartram Trail Bears
2014 Record: 7-4
Key players: David Coleman (Sr. RB), Jordan Smith (Jr., QB), Joey Gatewood (So. QB), Russell Harris (Jr., RB), Bryce Walker (Sr., WR), Gary Brueklander (Jr., TE), AJ Bolden (Sr., WR), Tanner Murphy (Jr., DB), Jordan Helm (Sr., DB), Michael Clarke (Sr., DB)
Why: In 15 years coach Darrell Sutherland has been the role model for every aspiring coach building a Bartram Trail program from the ground up in 2000 and leading them into the playoffs 12 of the last 15 years. Sutherland nearly made 13 before a stunning loss to rival Creekside ended the Bears five year playoff run. For a new streak to start, the Bears will heavily rely on an offense that includes several playmakers including Smith (825 passing, 4 TDs), Gatewood (362 passing, 659 rushing, 9 TDs), Coleman (1041 yards, 11 TDs) and a solid receiving core of Walker, Brueklander and Bolden. The defense, which accumulated 38 sacks last season and returns one guy with a sack, must be rebuilt except an exceptional secondary featuring Murphy, Helm and Clarke, whom combined for 5 of the Bears 8 interceptions last season.
8. Sandalwood Saints
2014 Record: 5-5
Key players: Eli Peters (Sr., QB), Phil Benker (Sr. WR), Jon Clayton (Sr., DL), Bradley Jennings (Jr., LB), Lewis Lebron (Jr., OT), Sincere David (Jr. OT), Devonte Harrison (Sr., ATH), Henry Brooks (Jr. OT), Chris Shuman (Sr., OG), Amer Speed (Jr., DB)
Why: It’s not usual to get very excited about an average team, but the Saints seemed poised for a breakout season this year. The combination of Peters (2,225 yards, 18 TDs), a Illinois commit and Benker (1062 yards, 10 TDs), a Indiana commit, will be tough for opposing defenses to stop. The defense needs work but returns Clayton (11 sacks) and Jennings (81 tackles, 3 sacks). The addition of a handful assistant coaches from Ed White should help bring some swagger and confidence back to the Saints.
9. First Coast Buccaneers
2014 Record: 12-1
Key Players: Dallas Connell (Sr. OL), Doug Connell (Sr., OL), Khalil Bryant (Sr. DB), Kevin Stepherson (Sr., WR), Billy Gaines (Sr., WR), Jevaro Hardy (Sr., QB), Lewis King (Sr., LB), Xavier Jackson (Sr., DE), Scott Dollison (Sr., DL/LB), Jalen Sapp (Sr., DB/WR), James Washington (Jr., DL/OL)
Why: The Bucs begin a new phase with unfamiliarity, not having four year starter DeAndre Johnson around anymore. The loss of Johnson and several other seniors has the Bucs in a unfamiliar territory for once as underdogs. Hardy takes over Johnson spot and will have Notre Dame committ Stepherson (756 yards, 11 TDs) and Gaines, a transfer from Raines as his primary weapons along with having two veteran lineman in the Connell brothers. The defense needs a lot of work having to fill several holes after graduation, but does return Bryant, an Indiana commit along with Jackson, who has several offers as well.
10. Ribault Trojans
2014 Record: 7-3
Key Players: Derius McGoogin (Sr., QB), Desean McNair (Sr., RB), Terry Stripling (Sr., DB), Gentoris Jackson (Sr., DL), senior receiver Brandon Thomas (Sr., WR), John Mays (Sr., OL), Leon Huey (Jr., LB), Michael McCray (So., WR), Kenneth Channellz (So., WR) Joshua Whitehead (So., RB)
Why: After winning several 7-on-7 tournaments over the summer, Ribault began getting everyones attention across the city. Coach Flynn is loaded on both sides of the ball including McGoogin, McNair (565 yards, 14 TDs) and Thomas on offense along with Stripling, Jackson and Huey on defense. Ribault was the odd man out in a three team tiebreaker so they have plenty of motivation heading into the season. Can the Trojans keep the momentum going in the fall when it counts the most. We will find out quickly how good they are Aug 29 when they host Miami Norland in the season opener.
Next Five On The Bubble: University Christian, Fletcher, Yulee, Westside, Ed White
