Home Blog Page 81

Fall FHSAA sports? Area coaches weigh in

Mike Ridaught
-
0
Fall FHSAA sports? Area coaches weigh in

By Mike Ridaught
Twitter – @ridaught

In my opinion, we will have high school sports on some level this fall.

But it remains anyone’s guess about what that means for contact sports like volleyball and football.

This Monday, July 20, is an important date for high school sports in the Sunshine State. The Florida High School Athletic Association has a ‘mandatory’ Board of Directors meeting via Zoom on Monday at 5 p.m.

The FHSAA’s task force recommended moving the start of fall practices to August 10.

For now, the first practice date remains as Monday, July 27, with preseason games just two weeks after that.

However, we are in unprecedented times and things change so rapidly.

Earlier this week the NJCAA announced they were moving most of their fall junior college sports, including football and volleyball, to the spring.

New Mexico and Virginia have moved their fall high school sports to the spring. South Carolina is considering it.

And there are some places in Florida, like Tallahassee, which are considering a shutdown of fall sports.

You have to wonder if these will be considered/discussed during Monday’s meeting.

Several area coaches expressed their hopes and concerns about their sport.

“I think most of the state could see football in some form this fall if the FHSAA doesn’t choose a one size fits all solution,” said St. Francis Catholic Academy (Gainesville) football coach Scott McDaniel. “Some areas of the state, where the virus is more prevalent, might need to be delayed or perhaps even not be able to play, but in those areas where the virus isn’t as active we might see teams playing close to a full schedule with precautions.”

The Wolves are scheduled to open up the regular season on Friday, August 21, at home against Bronson.

“I believe we will have football, but it may look different than what we are accustomed to,” said Bradford (Starke) football coach Brian Tomlinson, who enters his fourth season as head coach of the Tornadoes with three consecutive playoff appearances.

Eastside (Gainesville) Athletic Director Philip Crutchfield said he is “50/50 on if there will be a delayed start or full go.”

Union County (Lake Butler) volleyball coach Jordan Windham has a message for the FHSAA. She believes her sport can play in the fall.

If there are no fall sports, it can have a negative impact on high school sports.

“My main concern is if the FHSAA doesn’t play, all the travel ball, club ball, and pay for play sports will be there,” said Newberry volleyball coach Hank Rone. “Kids will go somewhere and play. The kids that have the means to afford it.”

Rone noted several sports have been playing in tournaments all over the state since Florida opened.

“AAU volleyball started this week in the Orlando Convention Center and they are coming from all over,” he said.

While some feel there is too much of a risk to play, one thing that almost all can agree upon is that high school sports are vital.

“High school athletics are important for kids, schools, and communities,” said McDaniel. “We must do everything we can to make it happen, if we can do it safely.”

That will be among the biggest questions. Can schools make it safe for athletes to play?

“High School sports means so much more to a lot of communities in the state,” added Rone. “We have to put in stuff to be as safe as we can. I totally get that.”

The FHSAA has a tough decision on Monday.

Based on the fact that it’s a ‘mandatory meeting,’ I would expect an announcment about the fate of fall prep sports in Florida.

Rising Senior – Caden Hastings (Bell High School)

Mike Ridaught
-
0
Rising Senior – Caden Hastings (Bell High School)

We are recognizing the top athletes from the Class of 2021. It will include athletes from the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Union.

Name: Caden Hastings
School: Bell High School
Sports during senior year: Football, Weightlifting
What position will you play: Football – QB/RB/DB
Stats – 366 yards passing 298 rushing, 35 tackles 1 int.
Achievements – Gainesville Sun All Area team Honorable Mention in both sports; threw for a career high vs. Interlachen last year
Quote – My dad always says, “You get to choose to either be the hammer or the nail. Be the hammer.”
What are you looking forward to senior year: “Being a team leader and having a great time with my friends.”
Goals: Perform to my best ability at my positions and be a great teammate; make the playoffs.
Colleges: Undecided

Newberry volleyball preview

Mike Ridaught
-
3
Newberry volleyball preview

By Mike Ridaught
Twitter – @ridaught

Last year the Newberry High School volleyball team dropped down in classification and played for a state title.

In 2017 and 2018, the Panthers went undefeated in league play to win back-to-back Class 5A-District 4 titles. They were a combined 21-0 against district opponents.

Newberry went 9-0 last year in league play to win the 1A-District 7 title, and then made a run all the way to the Class 1A state championship.

Despite falling to Sneads in the title game, Newberry was back.

It was the second time in the past four years that the Panthers had reached the state volleyball championship. They also lost to Sneads in the 2016 Class 1A Final.

Assistant coach Hank Rone takes over for head coach Sherrod Moseley this season. With seven returning starters, the Panthers should be in the mix to make it back to Fort Myers.

“We are a veteran team,” said Rone, who enters his sixth year overall. “Our girls are up for the challenge and we are looking forward to a great 2020 season.”

Despite key losses such as outside hitter Kalen Bennett (signed with Gateway College in Lake City) and 4-year letter winner Rylee Coleman (529 assists as a senior), the Panther do return some of their key players from last year.

“Senior setter Sarah Miller will be running the show for us this year,” said Rone. “We have a great Libero in junior Abby Pace to provide us with solid defense.”

Rone said they have some heighth in seniors Grace Oelrich (6’0) and Paige Dinges (6’1) who will bring “great experience to our front row. I expect a lot of production from them.”

Last year, Oelrich finished 3rd in the voting for the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A Player of the Year. She led the team in kills with 254 while Dinges finished second with 228 kills.

Newberry will play a very competitive schedule in 2020 that includes Class 6A Gainesville, 7A playoff contender Bartram Trail (St. Johns) and Class 2A State Runner-up Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto).

Newberry will also be playing in the River City Classic in Jacksonville this year, plus the demands of Class 1A-District 7.

“Our district is very solid this year,” said Rone. “Trenton has a great new coach and some very strong athletic players. Williston is always athletic and coached very sound.”

If Newberry can get through the district, then either Bell or Branford awaits in their half of the regional bracket.  Branford beat Bell, the 2018 state runners-up, in last year’s Region Final, and Newberry defeated Branford in the state semifinals.

“Bell is hungry, and they have some great talent,” noted Rone. “Tall, athletic in the front court, and a very experienced setter.”

Newberry will open up the regular season on Tuesday, August 18, at Class 3A Oak Hall School (Gainesville).

School: Newberry High School
Coach & year: Hank Rone (1st year HC, 6th overall)
Number of returning starters: 7
Key losses (Name & position): Kalen Bennett OH (Signed with Gateway College in Lake City) & S/RS Rylee Coleman (4-year letter winner)
Key returning players (Name, position, year): SR, Setter Sarah Miller; SR MH, MB Paige Dinges; MH, MB, SR Grace Oelrich; Libero, JR. Abby Pace; RS, SR Nicole Everson; OH, SR Katie Oxer; DS, S, SR Lily Haugh
Key newcomers (Name, position, year): OH, JR Mykenzie Tiller; DS, JR, Kirsten Thomas
Team notes: District Champions 1A -District 7; State Runners-up in 1A for 2019 Season
Outlook/expectations: “Our district is very solid this year. Trenton has a great new coach and some very strong athletic players. Williston is always athletic and coached very sound. We look forward to competing in a very competitive district. On our side of the state, if you can get through the district, you have Bell or Branford waiting on you. Bell is hungry and they have some great talent. Tall, athletic in the front court and an very experienced setter. We have a very tough out of conference schedule this year: 6A GHS, 3A playoff contender Oak Hall, 7A playoff contender Bartram Trail and Class 2A State Runner-up Seven Rivers Christian School. We will be playing in the River City Classic in Jacksonville this year. SR setter Sarah Miller will be running the show for us this year. We have a great Libero in JR Abby Pace to provide us with solid defense. Middle SR’s 6ft Grace Oelrich and 6ft 1 Paige Dinges will bring great experience to our front row. I expect a lot of production from them. We are a veteran team, our girls are up for the challenge and we are looking forward to a great 2020 season.” – Coach Rone

Rising Senior – Sarah Miller (Newberry High School)

Mike Ridaught
-
1
Rising Senior – Sarah Miller (Newberry High School)

We are recognizing the top athletes from the Class of 2021. It will include athletes from the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Union.

Name: Sarah Miller
School: Newberry High School
What sports will you participate in? Volleyball
Positions: Setter/DS
Career stats: 631 assists, 489 digs and 75 aces
Achievements: 4.9 GPA (straight A’s), Captain in Criminal Justice Academy, AVCA Maxpreps Player of the Week in November 2019, MaxPreps Newberry Player of the Year 2019, Gainesville Sun First Team All-Area 2019, Honorable Mention 2018, 4-time player of the match as a junior
Favorite moment so far: “Beating Branford in the state semifinals in 2019 to go to Fort Meyers and play in the state finals.”
Favorite saying: “You can play at the college level, professional level, and for travel teams, but nothing is as good a feeling as playing for your hometown and at Newberry High School.” – head coach Hank Rone
What are you looking forward to most about your senior year: “Definitely making the most of the opportunities we have for this year and hopefully making another run to state and win it this year. Also, hopefully winning a 5th district championship and making all of the amazing memories that we have at Newberry Volleyball as a senior.”
Goals for senior year: Winning districts, then regionals, then state, and setting a school record for assists; Academically – maintaining straight A’s and GPA and to get into the University of Florida
College offers or interest: no offers, interested in attending UF

Rising Senior – Caleb Morgan (Trenton High School)

Mike Ridaught
-
0
Rising Senior – Caleb Morgan (Trenton High School)

We are recognizing the top athletes from the Class of 2021. It will include athletes from the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Union.

Name: Caleb Morgan
School: Trenton High School
What sports will you participate in during your senior year? Football & baseball
What position(s) will you play? Linebacker/Outfielder
Stats (if available, best times, etc.): First team Gainesville Sun selection on offense (rushed for 888 yards with 12 touchdowns). First team All-State selection on defense (110 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, and four sacks).
Favorite high school sports moment so far: “Football when I made All-State.”
Favorite quote: “You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”
Goals for your senior season: “To win state.”

Rising Senior – Davontis Clements (Gainesville High)

Mike Ridaught
-
0
Rising Senior – Davontis Clements (Gainesville High)

We are recognizing the top athletes from the Class of 2021. It will include athletes from the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Union.

Name: Davontis Clements
School: Gainesville High School
What sports will you participate in during your senior year? Football and Track & field
What position(s) will you play? WR, QB, CB, FS, SS
Stats (if available, best times, etc.): last year gave up 0 touchdowns and only 8 catches; 40 time: 4.65, Bench: 205, Squat: 300
Favorite high school sports moment so far: “My favorite High School sport moment so far was when we were down against Trinity Christian and it was third down. The running back broke for a huge run and I was playing corner back and I had a huge chase down tackle running from one side of the field to the other. Next play we forced a fumble which then led to the drive that won the game.”
Favorite quote or favorite coach saying (include coach’s name if a coach said it): “How we prepare to win this game starts today.” – Florida football coach Dan Mullen; “What does it take to break you? Don’t let go of the rope no matter how tough it gets, don’t let go of the rope.” – Coach Mullen
What are you looking forward to most about your senior year: “I’m looking forward to being able to compete this fall with my guys put up huge numbers and hopefully go deep into the playoffs. I’m looking forward to seeing how much of a unit we really are being that I’m working with my guys knowing we have so much potential to be great.”
Goals for your senior season: 1. Put up over 1,000 yards receiving 2. 1,500 All-purpose yards 3. State championship
College offers or interest: Offers from USF and 3 other D3 schools like Carthage College, Massachusetts Marine-Tine Academy, and St. Vincent College; Interest from D-I schools Washington State, FAU, Coastal Carolina, Army, and Wake Forest, and D2 Warner University

Rising Senior – Elijah Flanders (Chiefland High School)

Mike Ridaught
-
0
Rising Senior – Elijah Flanders (Chiefland High School)

We are recognizing the top athletes from the Class of 2021. It will include athletes from the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Union.

Name: Elijah Flanders
School: Chiefland High School
What sports will you participate in during your senior year? Football
What position(s) will you play? OG/DT
Stats (if available, best times, etc.): 95 tackles 34 solo 12.0 TFL as a junior
Achievements (Academic and/or Athletic): First team All-Area OG and 2nd Team All-State OG (sophomore); First Team All-Area DT/First team All-state DT (junior)
Favorite high school sports moment so far: Coming back and winning in the 4th quarter against Newberry (2nd round of the Class 1A state playoffs) after being down most of the game.
Favorite quote or favorite coach saying: “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.” – Former Alabama football coach Bear Bryant
What are you looking forward to most about your senior year: “Going out and having fun one last time with my brothers.”
Goals for your senior season: Be All-Area and All-State. Be the best team in the area and make a deep run in the playoffs.
College offers or interest: offered by Albany State

Rising Senior – Maddy Sapp (Bell High School)

Mike Ridaught
-
0
Rising Senior – Maddy Sapp (Bell High School)

We are recognizing the top athletes from the Class of 2021. It will include athletes from the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Union.

Name: Maddy Sapp
School: Bell High School
What sports will you participate in during your senior year? Volleyball
What position(s) will you play? Outside/Middle Blocker
Career stats: 386 kills, 187 blocks and a .385 hitting percentage heading into her senior year
Achievements (Academic and/or Athletic): Obtaining a 4.3 GPA; graduating with an A.A. degree in the Fall of 2020; Gainesville Sun 1st team All-Area selection as a junior; led Class 1A in blocks with 106 for the 27-2 Bulldogs.
Favorite high school sports moments so far: “When we all piled on top of each other after the Trenton game (2018 state semifinals) that let us go to state.”
Favorite quote: “Don’t let anyone outwork you on or off the court.” – Head coach Drue Barry
What are you looking forward to most about your senior year: “I am looking forward to watching my team develop and being able to lead them through the good games and the bad ones.”
Goals for senior year: “Win state.”
College offers or interest: Valdosta State, Daytona State, and Flagler College.

Union County football preview

Mike Ridaught
-
1
Union County football preview

By Mike Ridaught
Twitter – @ridaught

Andrew Thomas knows a little something about coaching Class 1A football in Florida.

Thomas won two state titles in three years at Trenton.

During the 2015 season the Tigers (14-0) were unbeaten and outscored their opponents, 686-143, including a 56-21 win against Port St. Joe in the 1A state final.

He went 60-5 in five seasons with the Tigers.

Following stints at T.R. Miller High in Brewton, Alabama, and Trinity Catholic in Ocala, the Dixie County alum accepted the Union County job earlier this year after leading the Celtics to the second round of the state playoffs in 2019.

Thomas said the tradition and the community are what attracted him to Lake Butler.

“I believe it’s one of top jobs in Florida that loves its football,” he said. “I believe in time we can be back to competing at the highest level. That’s our goal.”

Thomas is hoping to return Union County to its glory days.

From 1994-1996, the Tigers won 52 games in a row (second longest in state history) under coach Robbie Pruitt. They won three straight Class 3A state titles.

In 2007, the Florida High School Athletic Association, as part of its celebration of “100 Years of Florida High School Football,” named the 1996 Union County High School football team as its Small School Team of the Century.

The Tigers went 12-1 in 2004. Union County was up 22-6 at Pensacola Catholic in the Class 2B North state semifinal, seeking their second consecutive championship game berth.

However, the Tigers committed five of their seven turnovers after taking the two-touchdown lead and a previously unbeaten season ended with a 23-22 loss.

“I cried the whole way home,” said then-junior tailback C.J. Spiller, a first team Parade All-American who would later become a top 10 pick in the NFL draft.

The Tigers were Class 2B state runners-up in 2003, falling to Pahokee in the state championship game.

But that was the last time that Union County played for a state title.

“Tradition and great players” are what Thomas said he thinks of when it comes to Union County football. The school has produced some big talent in the past.

Spiller (Clemson), Gerard Warren (Florida), who was drafted 3rd overall in the 2001 NFL draft and was a defensive tackle for 11 seasons in the league, Bennie Alexander (Florida), Kevin Alexander (Clemson), and Andrew Zow (Alabama) are among some of the great players who have helped build the tradition at Union County.

Cortez Slocum, Trevor Holtzendorff, Paden Clyatt, and Curran Webb are some of the big names for 2020.

Slocum caught 36 passes for 597 yards with three touchdowns and three 2-point conversions on offense last year as a junior. Defensively, he had 25 tackles, including one tackle for a loss, two interceptions, and one 85-yard fumble recovery.

Clyatt (85 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 interception return for TD, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble) and Holtzendorf (103 tackles, 17 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles) were first team All-Area selections by the Gainesville Sun as juniors.

Webb recorded 54 tackles, 9 TFL, three sacks, had three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 2019 as a sophomore linebacker.

Union County returns three starters on offense and five on defense from last year’s 7-6 team which advanced to the Class 1A Region Finals under former coach Kepa Sarduy.

“We will be multiple in both,” noted Thomas. “Offensively from a spread wing option set, a very multiple attack. Defense will be a 4-2-5/3-4 mix.”

The Tigers will get a good test in the Kickoff Classic at home against Chiefland on the 14th of August, followed by a trip to Lanier County in Lakeland (GA) for the season opener on Friday, August 21.

Union County has a young team, but Thomas has high expectations.

“We will definitely be a team that improves from start to finish,” said Thomas.

School: Union County (Lake Butler)
Coach & year: Andrew Thomas (1st year)
Number of returning offensive/defensive starters: Offense – 3/Defense – 5
Key losses: Hosea Robinson, JB Godwin, Lance Thorton, Allan McClellon
Key returning players (Name, position, year): Cortez Slocum, Curran Webb, Trevor Holtzendorff, Paden Clyatt
Key newcomers (Name, position, year): TBD
Most important position battles heading into the fall: ALL are going to be battles
Outlook/expectations: Always high expectations, unsure what we are yet. We have a extremely young team. We will definitely be a team that improves from start to finish.

2020 Football Schedule
Aug. 14 – vs. Chiefland (Preseason)
Aug. 21 – at Lanier County (Lakeland, GA)
Aug. 28 – vs. Williston
Sept. 4 – vs. Dixie County
Sept. 11 – at Newberry
Sept. 18 – TBA (Oak Hall game canceled)
Sept. 25 – at Hamilton County
Oct. 2 – vs. Santa Fe
Oct. 16 – at Hawthorne
Oct. 23 – vs. Jordan Christian (Auburndale)
Oct. 30 – vs. Keystone Heights

Class 1A-Region 3 (top 6 make postseason)
Branford
Bell
Dixie County (Cross City)
Fort White
Hamilton County (Jasper)
Hilliard
Lafayette (Mayo)
Madison County
Union County (Lake Butler)

FHSAA Schools Can Receive Free Pixellot Production Units Through New NFHS Network Program

Mike Ridaught
-
0
FHSAA Schools Can Receive Free Pixellot Production Units Through New NFHS Network Program
To sign up to receive your free Pixellot units, go to www.nfhsnetwork.com/pixellot

The NFHS Network’s High School Support Program will also provide schools with enhanced revenue-sharing opportunities for its livestreaming service

GAINESVILLE, FL. (7/9/20) – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced today a new program that will enable its member schools that currently lack production capabilities to receive up to two free Pixellot automated production units for use in their primary sports venues. The program is being offered by the NFHS Network, the leader in streaming live and on-demand high school sports, and is created to assist schools facing revenue losses due to restricted attendance at games and other events in light of COVID-19.

The network has allocated more than $200 million in capital for the nationwide project, which is open to eligible schools whose state high school association is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

FHSAA member schools can access additional information and sign up to receive their free Pixellot units at www.nfhsnetwork.com/pixellot.

The Pixellot solution will help high schools stream their athletic events and activities so that fans can follow the action even when unable to be there in person. The NFHS Network will also be assisting schools by increasing its subscription revenue sharing effective August 1, 2020.

“We recognize that the next several years will be challenging for our high schools and state associations,” said Mark Koski, CEO of the NFHS Network. “Many are facing budget cuts and reduced resources, and attendance at athletic and other school events may be restricted. From the NFHS Network’s inception seven years ago, we have been driven by the goal to create a platform that showcases every high school event across every sport and every level of competition. Consistent with this goal, we want the High School Support Program to demonstrate our continued commitment to help our partner schools manage through the inevitable complications created by COVID-19.”

In addition to the free Pixellot equipment and revenue enhancements, the High School Support Program will also offer the ability for fans to donate money to schools of their choosing through the NFHS Network’s platform beginning August 1, 2020.

The NFHS Network provides high schools with a platform to produce and broadcast professional-grade events. The Pixellot automated production solution was introduced to high schools three years ago and has quickly become an integral component of the NFHS Network’s offerings. The Pixellot solution allows every event to be streamed live without requiring personnel to produce the games, thereby eliminating the operational strain created by manual production.

There are currently more than 5,000 Pixellot units in high schools across the country which will produce in excess of 250,000 live games this upcoming school year with no human involvement.

In addition to livestreaming 27 different sports, the NFHS Network also livestreams performing arts, graduations, award ceremonies, and other school events. To date, the NFHS Network’s successful partnerships with participating high schools and state associations have allowed it to distribute over $25 million back to schools and state associations.

For more information about the High School Support Program, please visit www.nfhsnetwork.com/supportprogram.

The Prep Zone is an affiliate member of the NFHS Network. Click here to view our broadcasting channel.

The Prep Zone will be broadcasting high school football & volleyball on the NFHS Network in the Fall of 2020, plus our weekly high school show, “The Prep Zone,” which is broadcast from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville/Ocala.

1...808182...381Page 81 of 381

© The Prep Zone