District 2-5A preview

District 2-5A


Daytona Seabreeze Sandcrabs

Head Coach: Mark Beach

2008 Record: 8-6

Last time in playoffs: 2008

Key losses: Jonathan Scott (ATH), Lawrence Martin (OL), Brennan Beal (OL), Chris Ferrito (LB), Nick Siedelhofer (DL), Jernard Morgan (CB), Mitch McGrath (WR)

Key returners: Dominique Roberts (Sr., ATH), Matt Thompson (Sr., QB), Brett Kramer (Sr., WR), Corey King (Jr., DL), John Christopher (Jr., WR), Jackson Shelton (Sr., K)

News: When starting quarterback Matt Thompson went down with a broken ankle in the first half of the first game against Spruce Creek, it appeared Seabreeze season seemed to go down with him. Beach was forced to move receiver Dominique Roberts back to quarterback and the Sandcrabs struggled offensively scoring less than 15 points three of the next four games to get off to a 2-3 start. Just as Seabreeze was starting to get into a rhythm offensively, earning three consecutive wins, they hit a wall at the end being outscored 48-19 in the final two games, including a 34-7 loss to arch-rival Mainland in the regular season finale. Seabreeze appeared to be limping into the playoffs, yet somehow managed to go on the road three consecutive weeks and knock off Land O’Lakes, Merritt Island and Ridgeview, before falling to Tallahassee Lincoln in their eleventh road game of the season in the regional final (Final Four). Thompson returns as does the reigning Daytona News Journal Offensive Player of the Year Dominique Roberts (1,145 passing, 9 TD’s, 1,258 rushing, 17 TDs); as does Jackson Shelton, who made 10 of 13 field goals, including from 45 and 47 yards. Opponents will have to stop a nearly balanced offense, which ran for 2,146 yards while passed for 1,715 yards, while averaging 275 yards a game. One thing Seabreeze must fix is a defense, which gave up 30 points or more in 6 of their 14 games and an average of 229.5 yards per game and loses Ferritto (168 tackles) and Scott (54 tackles, 4 INTs). Beach also picked up a pair of New Smyrna Beach transfers Devonte Mack (No.2 receiver) and Alex Mack.


Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs

Head Coach: Steve Allen

2008 Record: 4-6

Last time in playoffs: 2007

Key losses: Johnny Jones (DE/HB), Chris Yevolli (LB), Derik Wolfe (OL), Hector Tanner (DB/WR), Fritz Jean (RB), Rodney Ndum (RB), Reggie Woods (CB), Sheriefe Williams (LB), Victor Melendez (DT), Zach Sohns (DL), Jake Earp (LB)

Key returners: Blake Bertha (Sr., DL), Kenlee Critcher (Sr., QB/P/K/WR), Cory Shelings (Sr., WR), Nick Shaw (Jr., LB), Deron Green (Jr., RB), Marc Morgan (Sr., SS), Gordon Saleem (Jr., OL), Markes Thomas (Jr., FB), John Smith (Jr., RB), Cyril Stubbs (Sr., WR), Cory Soard (Jr., QB/WR), Joshay Tinsley (Sr., DB), Grayson Merriwether (Jr., DT) , Kent Coleman (Sr., DT), Chris Stubbs (Jr., DB)

News: All signs pointed toward Palm Coast having a big year last season unfortunately things didn’t go as planned as the Bulldogs wrapped up a stunning six losses, five of which were by less than 14 points. Allen will have to rebuild several holes on both sides of the ball, including most of his defense that only gave up 180 yards of offense a game including Yevolli (112 tackles), Woods (75 tackles), Williams (73 tackles), Melendez (70 tackles) and Sohns (62 tackles). However, he does return Shaw (116 tackles, 2 sacks), Morgan (80 tackles), Tinsley (47 tackles), Bertha (44 tackles), Merriwether (44 tackles) and Coleman (31 tackles). An offense that struggled to average just under 200 yards a game returns Critcher (432 passing, 8 INT, 3 TD, 5 of 6 field goals, 34.9 punting average), Green (256 yards, 4 TDs) and Shellings (272 yards on 26 catches, 10.5 y.p.c., 2 TDs).



Fleming Island Golden Eagles

Head Coach: Jeff Webb (first season)

2008 Record: 8-2

Last time in playoffs: 2007

Key losses: Cory White (OL), Devon Frieson (WR/KR), Justin Cruz (LB), Austin Sweat (Jr., WR)

Key returners: Ian Silberman (Sr., OL), Robert Boswell (Sr., RB/WR/DB), Malcolm Jones (Sr., RB), Stephen Creech (Sr., OL), Addison Denney (Sr., DL), Brian Smith (Sr., DB), Rookie Gunn (Sr., QB)

News: Webb takes over for Neil Chipoletti, who retired in January after six seasons starting the program from scratch. Chipoletti didn’t leave Webb empty handed especially on offense as he returns Silberman (Florida commitment), Creech, Boswell, Jones (835 yards, 9 TD’s on 101 carries) and Gunn (1,000 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs on 73 of 119 passing). Webb was dealt a big blow when rising junior Austin Sweat transferred to Middleburg in the spring.

Predictions
1. Fleming Island
2. Seabreeze
3. Palm Coast