Part II: Big Bend seeking encore performance
By Corey Davis
TALLAHASSEE-Twenty-two teams from across the Big Bend area got together to talk to media earlier this week at the Second Annual 4QuartersOnline High School Football Media Day at the Holiday Inn in Tallahassee.
Much of the talk was about the surprising run last
season, which saw Madison County, North Florida Christian, Jefferson County and
Wakulla all advance to state, with NFC and Jefferson bringing home state
titles.
Can the area duplicate that success this season and will
area powers Lincoln and Godby join them after disappointing playoff exits?
Coaches and players from Marianna, Rickards, Liberty
County, Chiles, Maclay, Robert F. Munroe, Godby, Florida High, Franklin County,
Aucilla Christian, FAMU, Port St. Joe, John Paul II, Madison County, North
Florida Christian, Leon, Jefferson County, Wakulla, East Gadsden, West Gadsden,
Taylor County and Lincoln took turns talking to local and statewide media about
the upcoming season.
Bitter pill to swallow
When your expectations every season include not only getting to the state title game but winning it, finishing runner-up isn’t good enough, especially at a program like Madison County.
A one-point loss on the road to 5A state champion Colquitt
County (Georgia) in the season opener catapulted the Cowboys into a twelve game
winning streak and spot in the Class 3A state title game.
However, 2011 state runner-up Delray American Heritage,
took out a year’s frustration with a 30-3 win over Madison County in the title
game last season.
“That loss in the title game left a bitter taste all off
season and summer long, losing in the title game is unacceptable” Madison
County coach Mike Coe said. “We have 5-6 starters back on both sides of the
ball so we are expecting another solid run.”
One of those starters back is FSU commit Ira Denson, who
was in attendance at Media Day along with four other teammates.
Hard to believe but for half a century, Madison County
was virtually an unknown program until 1995 when Randy McPherson arrived on
campus and led the Cowboys to its first playoff bid.
From there the unknown program took off and has become a
consistent state title contender under McPherson, Randy Carroll and now Coe
with 17 consecutive playoff appearances, including two state titles (2001,
2007) and four state runner-up finishes.
What is the secret for Madison County keeping its streak
going and always being in the state title chase.
“Honestly, FCA Camp is a big reason why, we just got back
from FCA camp last weekend, the kids do a lot of soul searching there, “Coe
said.
From the time kids start playing football they dream of
being a part of the Madison County program.
“There is not a lot to do in Madison, football is a
really big deal here, a lot of kids want to be Cowboys, Coe stated.
“Our kids invest a lot in the program. We talk a lot
about investing in the program you will hear that a lot. If you don’t fully
invest in the program you won’t play,” Coe said. “You go all out when you step
out on the field and the kids respond to that, we have a lot of good kids.”
Redemption time
Starting the season with eight straight wins over Maclay (48-21), Walton (26-0), West Gadsden (21-7), PK Yonge (53-7), Marianna (27-15), Crescent City (26-21), Rickards (21-7) and Port St Joe (28-0); FAMU had a lot of confidence heading into the back half of its schedule and the playoff season.
Unfortunately, a 41-6 loss to North Florida Christian not
only cost the Baby Rattlers the District 1-2A
title it sent them into a downward spiral dropping a 43-0 decision to
East Gadsden and 20-13 loss to Eagle’s View in the first round of the playoffs.
“We were 8-3 last season and started a lot of young
guys,” FAMU head coach Ira Reynolds said. ”We ran through the season until the
last few weeks.”
When asked how do you make sure what happened last season
doesn’t happen this season, Reynolds laughed “Take them off the schedule”.
Impressive debut
Maclay is beginning their sixth year as a program, second
under head coach former FSU great Kyler Hall. The school well known for its
state ranked soccer, volleyball, girls basketball, lacrosse, cross country,
swimming and track and field programs, might need to clear room for additional
trophy space.
“We have a well-rounded athletic program here at Maclay,
our soccer and lacrosse and girls basketball teams have done well at state, we
are trying to get there as well and make this a football school,” Hall said.
What an inaugural season for Coach Hall, who saw Maclay
win a school record nine games last season including its first North Florida
Football Conference North Division and Overall title, beating Gainesville Oak
Hall 57-42 in the title game.
The recent success of winning a conference title has
brought a lot of excitement to the Maclay community and students.
“I am very excited
about year two, we are starting with 38 players, last year we only had about 22
at this point,” Hall said. “We had a very young team last season and we will
have about ten seniors this year, mostly playing ninth and tenth graders. “
Being an independent, Maclay is ineligible for the state
playoffs, but able to participate in a bowl game and win a conference
championship.
“The goal remains the same this season, we want to win
our division and get back into the title game and have a chance to win another
conference title,” Hall said. “These kids have been busting their butts this
summer trying to repeat as conference champs. “
No comments:
Post a Comment