This fall, we are providing more coverage of Jacksonville area teams thanks to our partnership with the NFHS Network. Click here for more information about our expanded coverage.
Friday night at 7:30 p.m. from Lake City, we’ll have ‘live’ video coverage of the Class 7A-District 2 showdown between Lee (Jacksonville) and Columbia (Lake City). Join Corey Davis & Andre Ellis for all the action. WATCH IT LIVE HERE.
Prognosticator Joe Pinkos lists the Tigers as a 14-point favorite. Here is a preview of the game courtesy of DuvalSports.com –
Lee Generals
Coach: OJ Small
Record: 3-0
Key Players: Jurial Caldwell (Sr., WR), Taz Nicholson (Sr., ATH), Kevonte Doles (So., RB), Trevor James (Sr., LB), Robert Simmons (So., DB), Cameron Sapp (Sr., QB), Malik Brown (Sr., RB), Deshaun Davis (Sr., DB), Ralph Mency (Jr., TE/DL), Jacob Olds (Sr., DL), Clarence Conyers (Sr., DB), Cobie Bates (So., WR), Terry McKinney (Jr., WR), Jaheim Singletary (Fr., DB), Tony Robinson (Sr., DB), Raekwon Simmons (Sr., RB)
Results
Aug 24 at Raines (16-15)
Aug 31 at Westside (41-3)
Sept 7 at Mandarin (38-13)
Outlook: Two years ago, Lee took everyone by surprise by advancing all the way to the state semifinals in a stunning loss to Plant. With several starters back, the Generals were expected to make another serious run last year but surprisingly were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round last season. Do the Generals have another run in them this season ? Six starters are back on offense including speedy playmakers Caldwell, Nicholson, Doles and Simmons along with transfers Sapp (Parker), Bates (Raines) and Brown (UC). Five starters are back on defense including James, Simmons, Nicholson and Conyers along with newcomers Olds, Conyers, Mency and Davis (Mandarin). Through three games the defense has been superb allowing only 31 points in 12 quarters, while the offense finally found themselves scoring 41 and 38 points the last two weeks.
Columbia Tigers
Coach: Brian Allen
Record: 3-0
Key Players: TJ Jones (Sr., WR), Jordan Smith (Jr., QB), Marquez Bell (Jr., WR), Ethan Ulmstead (Sr., LB), Kylen Callum (Jr., RB), Sir Rollins Talbott (Sr., DB), Jaylen Brown (Sr., LB), Damien Lewis (Sr., OL), Ahmad Williams (Sr., DB), Zachary Bedenbaugh (Sr., OL), Brandon Scott (Sr., DB), Derek Johnson (Jr., CB), Devin Johnson (Jr., CB), Gilshard Newkirk (Sr., DL), Marlon Pollock (Jr., LB), Garrett Fennell (Jr., K/P), Aidan Jolliffe (So., K), Willie Jernigan (Sr., DL), Levontae Camiel (So., SS/LB), Jaden Williams (So., WR), Bobby Fulton (Sr., WR), Caleb Dixon (So., RB)
Results
Aug 24 Gainesville (44-21)
Aug 31 Suwannee (49-7)
Sept 7 at Buchholz (39-0)
Outlook: As if they needed an even bigger target on their back, traveling to No. 1 nationally ranked IMG in the preseason and pulling off the upset, has made the whole state and nation aware of the Tigers. How will they handle the pressure now and high expectations the rest of the season ? The Tigers are loaded on both sides of the ball with five starters back on offense and eight on defense. Smith, who shared time with Dylan Blair last season, is back and will be the No. 1 guy after Blair transferred to nearby Fort White. Smith will have both Jones and Bell back along with newcomers Williams and Fulton, who both played sparingly last year. Callum is back and will lead the running game along with Cray, to form a dynamic speed duo. The Tigers are blessed to have two special team weapons in Fennell and Jelliffe, both give the Tigers a leg up on the competition. The defense, which surrendered just 282 points, returns Ulmstead, Talbott, Scott and Pollock and will be a force for opposing offenses. A first round loss to nemesis Lincoln last season has fueled the Tigers all off season and has them focused on a long playoff run this season one that could possibly end up in Orlando.
