High School Football Previews 2011: Class 4A
District 2-4A
Head coach: Travis Hodge (first year).
Last year: 2-8.
Key returners: Toby Williams (OT, Sr., 6-5, 245), Alex Vrancic (LB, Sr., 6-0, 190), Tai Dunwood (RB, Sr., 5-10, 185), Trey Morris (S, Sr., 5-11, 190).
Key newcomers: Riley Hall (S, So., 5-10, 175), Calvin Logan (CB, Fr., 6-1, 165).
Outlook: After successive 2-8 seasons, the Pirates could be ready to get back to winning ways. "We've got a good group of seniors and really talented younger players," said Hodge, who played at Bolles and has been an assistant coach at Bartram Trail and Madison County. "We're headed in the right direction. The kids just have to trust the process of what it takes to be successful."
Head coach: George Nelson (fourth year, 20-12; 29th year overall, 189-107-5).
Last year: 8-3.
Key returners: DeAnte Simmons (QB, Sr., 5-9, 210), Zach Jadoo (LB, Sr., 6-0, 225), Lawrence Hills (DE, Sr., 6-3, 230), Malcolm Hills (DL, So., 6-1, 255).
Key newcomers: Jalen Williams (RB, Sr., 6-0, 175), Garrett Powers (OG/LS, Sr., 6-1, 240).
Outlook: After back-to-back 8-3 seasons and with Bolles no longer in the district, this could be the year for the Warriors to reach the playoffs. A talented but inexperienced senior class will need to play at a peak level.
Head coach: Bobby Ramsay (fourth year, 20-10).
Last year: 0-11 (8-3, but forfeited all wins, FHSAA eligibility violation).
Key returners: Kelvin Rainey (TE/DB, Sr., 6-3, 230), Zack Camp (WR/DB, Sr., 5-11, 175), Derrick Henry (RB, Jr., 6-3, 230), Gunner Coy (LB, Jr., 5-9, 175).
Key newcomers: Carson Royal (QB, Sr., 6-2, 205), Garrett Henderson (DL, So., 6-0, 181).
Outlook: Rainey and Henry are similar in size and talent and both have already committed to playing for SEC schools, Rainey to South Carolina, Henry to Georgia in the 2013 class. The offense will put a lot of points on the board and the defense could be equally talented, especially with Rainey and Camp daring opposing QBs to throw to their areas.
Related: Yulee, Derrick Henry facing bigger challenges
District 3-4A
Head coach: Corky Rogers (23rd year, 257-31; 40th year overall, 398-70-1).
Last year: 11-1.
Key returners: John Theus (OT, Sr., 6-5, 297), Max Tejada (DT, Sr., 6-21/2 , 285), DJ Stewart (RB, Sr., 6-1, 215), Jon Heck (OT, Sr., 6-7, 285), Austin Kennedy (QB, Sr., 6-2, 190).
Key newcomers: Trenton McGehee (QB/LB, Fr., 5-10, 190), Jeremiah Theus (TE, Fr., 6-2, 192).
Outlook: Rogers will have another talented group of seniors led by linemen Theus, Tejada and Heck, all of whom run well for their 285-pound-plus size. Stewart is one of the area's best runners and if Kennedy remains solid at QB and the defense plays up to expectations, the Bulldogs could make another run at a state title.
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Head coach: Char-Ron Dorsey (first year).
Last year: 5-6.
Key returners: Nicholas Polite (RB/LB, Sr.), Vince Brown (WR/QB, Sr.), Kalib Woods (WR, Jr.), Sedric Hall (RB/LB, Jr.).
Outlook: Dorsey will be challenged in his first year at the high school level. He's coached some of his current players in middle school, which is a plus, but with the numbers down for football, he'll look to lay a foundation for future Tigers teams.
Head coach: Deran Wiley (third year, 14-6).
Last year: 8-3.
Key returners: Kenny Bynum (LB, Sr., 6-2, 210), Torrance Beckworth (RB/DB, Sr., 5-11, 200), Ahmon Lott (DB, Jr., 5-9, 160), Carlos Tarrats (WR, So, 5-8, 160).
Key newcomers: Marvin Zanders (QB, So., 6-2, 175), Tony Biggins (WR/RB, So., 5-9, 170).
Outlook: The defense looks solid, led by the talented Bynum and Beckworth, who combined for 120 tackles last season. The questions are on offense, where newcomers such as Zanders will need to step up early in order to get the Vikings back to the playoffs.
Head coach: Anthony Flynn (fifth year, 25-18).
Last year: 8-3.
Key returners: Raynard Felton (TE/DE, Sr., 6-5, 220), Darryl Campbell (RB/DB, Sr., 5-10, 190), Derek Jones (WR, Jr., 6-2, 175), Aaron McCullah (DL, Sr., 6-0, 215).
Key newcomers: Kevin Williams (QB, Jr., 6-1, 175), James Branch (RB, So., 5-7, 170).
Outlook: Flynn likes what he has back on defense, especially with Felton, one of the best in the area at DE. As solid as the defense appears, the opposite holds true on offense where newcomer Williams will be counted on to lead this unit. His development could determine if the Trojans can challenge Bolles.
District 4-4A
Head coach: Derek Chipoletti (second year, 7-3).
Last year: 7-3.
Key returners: Ja'Quez Callaway (S, Sr., 5-11, 180), Dylan Manning (C, Sr., 5-11, 240), Dexter Clayton (RB, Sr.), Austin Chipoletti (QB, Jr.).
Key newcomers: Dakota Rice (LB, Sr.), Ja'Quez Ivey (Slot, Fr.).
Outlook: The Tornadoes return a 1,000-yard rusher (Clayton) and 1,200-yard passer (Chipoletti) along with four starters on the offensive line, giving them plenty of firepower on offense. The concerns fall with the defense where the D-line and linebacker spots are young. Keith Baker is the leader on the defensive front from his middle linebacker spot.
Head coach: Willie Offord (second year, 6-4).
Last year: 6-4.
Key returners: Javon Porter (OL/DL, Sr., 6-2, 265), Ralph Minter (QB/CB, Sr., 5-8, 170), Michael Motes (OG, Jr., 5-11, 230), Jared Makatura (LB, So., 5-10, 210).
Key newcomers: D.J. Chacis (LB/S, So., 5-8, 165), Derrick Louis (OT/DT, Jr., 6-3, 298).
Outlook: The Rams are young and without a lot of depth after losing 12 seniors, 10 of whom were starters, six of whom started on both sides of the ball, including 2,000-yard rusher Kion Williams. "We only have five seniors, but there is some talent with our juniors and sophomores," Offord said.
Head coach: Chuck Dickinson (13th year, 58-60).
Last year: 2-8.
Key returners: Evan Harvey (QB/DB, Sr., 6-0, 163), Bruce Kirksey (FB/DL, Sr., 6-1, 228), Alex Gonzalez (RB/CB, Jr.), Luke Prezkuta (FB/LB, Sr.).
Outlook: The Indians will center the offense around Harvey's talents. He finished with 76 completions for 1,077 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. Kirksey leads the running attack after averaging nearly 7 yards a carry in 2010. It's a tough district, however, with four of the other five members ranked among the Class 4A top 25 in the state.