Since the day Elijah Williams stepped in as new head coach at Jones in 2016 the Tigers have been nearly unbeatable against area competition.
Jones owns a 24-1 record against programs in Orange, Osceola and Lake County during that span. The only loss in that count came at Wekiva 17-3 on the road last season.
After racking up multiple wins over the likes of Bishop Moore, West Orange, Oak Ridge and Colonial, and struggles to find games to schedule against other top teams, the Tigers face Apopka and Edgewater this fall. The challenging slate also includes road games at Jacksonville Raines and Georgia’s Johns Creek.
“It’s a disservice to the community when the best teams don’t play each other,” said Williams. “When you play the best you fill the gates with fans and you make your team better. We will play anybody at any time, and I’ve made that known.”
Jones enters the season without five defensive players that went on to Division I college programs. But that unit should get a boost from a number of talented youngsters eager to slide into vacancies at linebacker and safety. The defensive line will serve as the team’s strength with seniors Evan Anderson and Bryan Moore leading that group.
“Defense wins championships,” said Anderson. “If they can’t score then they can’t win, that’s how I think about it.”
Also returning for the Tigers is their entire receiving corp and leading rusher Avarius Sparrow, who will benefit from a strong offensive line. Inexperience at quarterback could make for early challenges.
Expect Jones to have any roster issues fleshed out by the time Bishop Moore visits for a crucial Class 5A, District 7 meeting Sept. 13. The Tigers won 14-7 when the teams last met in a region quarterfinal in November.
The Hornets typically go as far as their offensive line takes them, and not much will change as Bishop Moore head coach Matt Hedrick has been impressed with that unit’s progress. Seniors Dylan Brazil and Jordan Jackson are standout athletes who will be looked upon for big plays. Bryce McGill entered camp as the leading candidate at quarterback after serving as the varsity back-up last year.
“We have the opportunity to be very balanced and versatile on offense,” Hedrick said.
Senior captain Alex Andre enters his third year as a starter at cornerback and Jackson Galley has showed lots of potential at linebacker. Caleb Perez, who also plays tight end, will team with junior Charlie Rolenc to lead the defensive line.
In Osceola County, Gateway made a drop from Class 8A to 6A and joined an unfamiliar district that reaches far and wide. The Panthers will rely on versatile senior Philip Bangura, who like last season will rarely leave the field.
“I’ll play anywhere they want me, wherever I can make the team better,” said Bangura, who rushed for 1,369 yards and 19 TDs in the regular season.
In 6A-5, Lake Minneola’s experience should help push the Hawks over .500 with seniors Derrick Graham and Alex Eckman on the offensive line and acrobatic quarterback Devon Cole teaming with wide receiver Trent Logan.
Lake Minneola is the only Lake County school in the district but Hawks coach Walter Banks said the change presents his team with a golden opportunity to win the first district football title in school history.
CLASS 6A, DISTRICT 4
Deltona Wolves
Coach: Allen “B.J.” Johnson (7th year, 25-34-1; 85-71-1 career, 15 seasons).
2018: 5-5, missed 6A playoffs.
Pine Ridge Panthers
Coach: Kenneth Pickens (3rd year, 2-18).
2018: 0-10, missed 6A playoffs.
Out of area teams:
Daytona Beach Mainland (7-4)
New Smyrna Beach (7-3)
Daytona Beach Seabreeze (1-9)
CLASS 6A, DISTRICT 5
Lake Minneola Hawks
Coach: Walter Banks (5th year, 17-23; 40-50 career, 9 seasons).
2018: 5-5, missed 7A playoffs.
Out of area teams:
Lecanto (3-7)
Dade City Pasco (2-8)
Spring Hill Springstead (7-3)
CLASS 6A, DISTRICT 9
Gateway Panthers
Coach: Marlin Roberts (11th year, 49-54).
2018: 5-6, 8A region quarterfinals.
Out of area teams:
Auburndale (3-7)
Palm Bay Bayside (4-6)
Palm Bay Heritage (9-3)
Lakeland Lake Gibson (4-6)
CLASS 5A, DISTRICT 7
Bishop Moore Hornets
Coach: Matt Hedrick (18th year, 141-54).
2018: 6-5, 5A region quarterfinals.
Eustis Panthers
Coach: Mike Hay (8th year, 29-41).
2018: 5-5, missed 5A playoffs.
Jones Tigers
Coach: Elijah Williams (4th year, 28-6; 60-23 career, 8.5 seasons).
2018: 10-2, 5A region semifinals.
Leesburg Yellow Jackets
Coach: Mark Oates (3rd year, 5-15).
2018: 1-9, missed 6A playoffs.
Mount Dora Hurricanes
Coach: Frank Scott (2nd year, 5-5).
2018: 5-5, missed 4A playoffs.
Tavares Bulldogs
Coach: Gary Dugger (1st year, 0-0).
2018: 3-7, missed 5A playoffs.
