DIXIE COUNTY (CROSS CITY) BEARS (1A-District 7)
2014 RECORD: 11-1
HEAD COACH: Brent Wilkerson (17th Year)
KEY PLAYERS: Aaron Thomas (Sr., QB), Kevin Currie (Sr., OG/DE), Malik Collins (Sr., OT/DT), Julian Robinson (Sr., TB), Judson Dey (Sr, OG/DE), Richie Burris (Sr., C/DT), Marquez Hollis (Sr., TB/S), Judson Hodge (Jr., TE/DT), Kyle Chesser (Jr., QB/C), Clifford Jackson (Jr., CB/WR), Jontavious Paige (Jr., S/WR)
2015 PREVIEW: Following consecutive district titles, the Dixie County Bears have been knocking on the door in Class 1A – making it to the state semifinals in each of the past two seasons. They lost to Hamilton County last year and eventual state champion Trenton in 2013.
The Bears were ranked No. 1 during the regular season for most of the year, and won at Hamilton County (20-7), at Union County (30-18) and at Trenton (48-25) during a one-month span. Dixie County has plenty of offensive experience returning and they are hoping that will get them over the hurdle following back-to-back 11-1 campaigns.
The Bears have eight starters returning on offense led by Aaron Thomas, who is 22-2 as the starting QB. Tailback Julian Robinson is also back. The senior to be led the area in rushing last year with over 1,900 yards and 18 touchdowns.
However, they’ve got to rebuild the front seven. In addition to losing their top three tacklers on defense, Junior Jontavious Paige (59 tackles, 3 INT) and Thomas (3 INT) are just four starters who will return on that side of the ball.
Dixie County will travel to Chiefland and Newberry in October, but the first big test will be at home against new district foe Trenton on Friday, September 28th.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 – vs. Taylor County (Perry)
Sept. 4 – at Liberty County (Bristol)
Sept. 11 – OFF
Sept. 18 – vs. Bronson*
Sept. 25 – vs. Trenton*
Oct. 2 – vs. Williston*
Oct. 9 – at Chiefland*
Oct. 16 – at Branford*
Oct. 23 – at Newberry*
Oct. 30 – vs. University Christian (Jacksonville)
*District game
Dixie County High School website
“The Prep Zone” has been counting down to kick-off with a preview of high school football teams in the North Central Florida area. Past team previews:
July 20 – BELL BULLDOGS
July 21 – BELLEVIEW RATTLERS
July 22 – BRADFORD (STARKE) TORNADOES
July 23 – BRANFORD BUCCANEERS
July 24 – BRONSON EAGLES
July 25 – BUCHHOLZ (GAINESVILLE) BOBCATS
July 26 – CHIEFLAND INDIANS
July 27 – CITRUS (INVERNESS) HURRICANES
July 28 – COLUMBIA (LAKE CITY) TIGERS
July 29 – DIXIE COUNTY (CROSS CITY) BEARS
July 30 – DUNNELLON TIGERS
Aug. 1 – EASTSIDE (GAINESVILLE) RAMS
Aug. 2 – FOREST (OCALA) WILDCATS
Aug. 3 – FORT WHITE INDIANS
Aug. 4 – GAINESVILLE HURRICANES
Aug. 5 – HAMILTON COUNTY (JASPER) TROJANS