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| Leesburg at Mount Dora (BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 16, 2011) |
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 22, 2011
LEESBURG - Randy Trivers Yellow Jackets have a chance to make History Friday night. They can become the first Leesburg High School football team to go 4-0 in 35 years. The last team to go 4-0 was led by senior quarterback Clay Sampson and Head coach Max Wettstein. The date was Friday October 9, 1976 when they beat Gainesville Eastside 57-7 at Leesburg Memorial Field. The 1976 defense had outscored its opponents 121-6 after 3 games. The 2011 Jackets have outscored its opponents 92-28 after 3 games.
This matchup is between two teams that are ranked in the Orlando Sentinel Varsity Blog Super 16 football poll. Leesburg is ranked #13 and East Ridge is ranked #16. The Jackets received votes in this weeks Class 7A Football Poll. They will have to step into the Dungeon against a large home crowd in the Clermont. A top ten state poll ranking could be at stake in this game.
Leesburg also can become the first team in Jacket history to beat the Knights of Clermont East Ridge High School. East Ridge coach Bud O'Hara (244-134-2) is within reach of 250 career wins. His first victory against Bushnell South Sumter in the second game of the season was his 100th in Lake County. O'Hara was 25-25 at Leesburg and is 74-25 in nine seasons with the Knights. O'Hara left Leesburg in 2002 to coach East Ridge in its inaugural season. O'Hara is 4-0 against his former school during that time.
O'Hara had two teams go 3-0 at Leesburg in 1999 and 2001. In 1999 O'Hara team lost to another one of his former school's Belleview 42-7 and lost it's bid to go 4-0. The Jackets and Knights will open their Class 7A District 4 season in the Dungeon on the campus of East Ridge High School. Class 7A district 4 consists of five teams playing a 4 game district schedule. O'Hara and Trivers know that one loss can put a damper on any playoff hopes. The teams are now in the same district which gives the local rivalry new meaning.
"It really makes for a good situation, said O'Hara. These are bragging rights games, and they really mean something now"
Randy Trivers knows if his Jackets want to reach the FHSAA State Football Playoffs they have to come up big win on the road against the king of Lake County Football. East Ridge has owned Lake County in football since the school's first senior class went 11-1 in 2003. East Ridge is 15-1 against all Lake County rivals in the past eight seasons, 7-0 since a 34-31 loss to Eustis in 2007. In just 6 short seasons, East Ridge obtained 3 District Championships, been District Runner-up twice, 3 undefeated regular seasons with a Central Florida record 36 consecutive regular season wins, and have made the state playoffs the last 6 years in a row from 2003-2008.
O’Hara has won slightly more than 70 percent of his games in the school’s ten-year history.
East Ridge High School is a school in Clermont, Florida and one of seven public high schools in Lake County. East Ridge is the largest school in Lake County.
When O'Hara started the East Ridge football program back in 2002 he was quoted as saying
"We're starting everything brand new," O'Hara said. "This is when we start making traditions building on each game. This is all about the future. The future of football at East Ridge"
"I am really looking forward to starting a new tradition," said O'Hara, who had a 25-25 record at Leesburg and twice led the Yellow Jackets to playoffs.
"The thing that was the hardest for me was to leave my church family and these wonderful kids at Leesburg High School," he said. "I get hugged 30 or 40 times a day, and not just from athletes. They are truly warm people and I am going to miss them.
"But, whatever it takes [at East Ridge], we will get it done. The Lord will help us mold this into a program."
Trivers knows a little about dethroning the county football king while he coached at Germantown Northwest. Trivers and Northwest had to battle Seneca Valley for the Kings Trophy (Winners of 12 Maryland High School State Championships) for bragging rights in Germantown MD.
"There is a reason East Ridge has been the top dog" Trivers said. "Coach O'Hara does a great job. They play with great effort they're sound they're physical"
The players understand how important this district matchup is.
"It's definitely a gut check", East Ridge Senior Jerami Singleton said. "Its a pride thing"
East Ridge will have 14 players with at least two years of starting experience when the Knights play. The Jackets and Knights have both relied on the ground game and strong defensive performances. Both teams will try to established the run early and control the tempo of the football game. Both teams passing games have struggled early this year, the Knights have not thrown for a touchdown, and the Knights have had four passes intercepted. Leesburg's secondary will look to create turnovers in this 7A-4 opener.
East Ridge is turnover prone, look for the opportunistic Jacket defense to capitalize on any East Ridge mistakes. D'Mauri Jones says he will play and if he is healthy look for Leesburg to try to go vertical in the passing game. Look for East Ridge to put 8 men in the box and force Leesburg to beat them with it's passing game.
Key Stats — WR Juliard Roberts poses a double threat (3 carries, 106 yards rushing; 9 rec., 152 yds.). East Ridge — The Knights' main weapons are RBs Randy Bergan (68-472-5) and Jerami Singleton (43-210-3).
School: Clermont East Ridge
Class-District: 7A-4
2011 Record: 2-1
Head Coach: Bud O'Hara
East Ridge Coaching Record: 77-25 Overall Coaching Record: 228-101-2
NCAA FBS Prospects:: LB Justin Horton (Sr., 6-2, 215), RB Jerami Singleton (Sr., 5-10, 170)
Other top players: RB Randy Bergan (Sr., 5-10, 190), LB Justin Horton (Sr., 6-2, 215), RB Jerami Singleton (Sr., 5-10, 170), RB/LB Brian Mills (Jr., 5-10, 170), WR/QB Corey Harber (Sr., 5-8, 165), LB Khalil Pierson (Sr., 5-10, 175), DE Omar Mills (Jr., 6-0, 210), QB/WR/DB J.J. Martin (5-10, 175).3
Big Time Performers: RB/LB Brian Mills (Jr., 5-10, 170), RB Randy Bergan (Sr., 5-10, 190)
Overview: O'Hara, going into his 10th year at East Ridge, is the only head coach the school has had. East Ridge has missed the playoffs the in 2009 and 2010 after six consecutive playoff appearances. Horton has opened eyes among college recruiters with a good offseason.
School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida
Big Time Performers: Trey Perry, Manny Nelson, Jordan Tucker, Jalen Dozier, D'Mauri Jones, Noor Davis, Max Green, Brandon Foor, Bryant Benton, Julliard Roberts, Jr, Austin Walker
There have been several notable Leesburg players who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. Leesburg players are Danny Trevathan (University of Kentucky All-American), Tory Harrison (University of Southern Mississippi, Hartford Colonels of the UFL), Matt Shepherd (Monmouth College, All-American plays professionally in Finland), Jeremiah Thompson (Florida State), Dontra Matthews (Victor Valley College, Virginia University of Lynchburg), Rod Cosgrove (Susquehanna University), Demetrius Singleton (Averitt University), Danny Hardaway (Monmouth College), Marques Austin (Victor Valley College), Salthaniel Hall (Brevard College), Nathan Cornell (Chowan College) Evan Hayden (Methodist College), Joe Perry (Ranger College), Shon Gunn (Ranger College), Trevor Hawersaat (Southern Virginia University), Anthony Saincilaire Ranger College/Bacone College), Mike Lewis (Theil College), Mark Smith (Ranger College), Randall Sullivan (Florida A&M University) Darius Lightfoot (Murray State), Just too name a few.
This matchup is between two teams that are ranked in the Orlando Sentinel Varsity Blog Super 16 football poll. Leesburg is ranked #13 and East Ridge is ranked #16. The Jackets received votes in this weeks Class 7A Football Poll. They will have to step into the Dungeon against a large home crowd in the Clermont. A top ten state poll ranking could be at stake in this game.
 |
( CHRIS HAYS/ORLANDO SENTINEL / May 6, 2010 ) Bud O'Hara finally got to realize a coaching dream Saturday (April 30, 2011), as two former players, Chimdi Chekwa and Greg Lloyd, were drafted into the NFL. He's been coaching 40 years, is heading into his 10th season at East Ridge, and Chekwa and Lloyd are his first two draft picks. |
Leesburg also can become the first team in Jacket history to beat the Knights of Clermont East Ridge High School. East Ridge coach Bud O'Hara (244-134-2) is within reach of 250 career wins. His first victory against Bushnell South Sumter in the second game of the season was his 100th in Lake County. O'Hara was 25-25 at Leesburg and is 74-25 in nine seasons with the Knights. O'Hara left Leesburg in 2002 to coach East Ridge in its inaugural season. O'Hara is 4-0 against his former school during that time.
O'Hara had two teams go 3-0 at Leesburg in 1999 and 2001. In 1999 O'Hara team lost to another one of his former school's Belleview 42-7 and lost it's bid to go 4-0. The Jackets and Knights will open their Class 7A District 4 season in the Dungeon on the campus of East Ridge High School. Class 7A district 4 consists of five teams playing a 4 game district schedule. O'Hara and Trivers know that one loss can put a damper on any playoff hopes. The teams are now in the same district which gives the local rivalry new meaning.
 |
| Greg Lloyd, Jr. has played in this series. His father Greg Lloyd, Sr. played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. |
"It really makes for a good situation, said O'Hara. These are bragging rights games, and they really mean something now"
Randy Trivers knows if his Jackets want to reach the FHSAA State Football Playoffs they have to come up big win on the road against the king of Lake County Football. East Ridge has owned Lake County in football since the school's first senior class went 11-1 in 2003. East Ridge is 15-1 against all Lake County rivals in the past eight seasons, 7-0 since a 34-31 loss to Eustis in 2007. In just 6 short seasons, East Ridge obtained 3 District Championships, been District Runner-up twice, 3 undefeated regular seasons with a Central Florida record 36 consecutive regular season wins, and have made the state playoffs the last 6 years in a row from 2003-2008.
 |
| ( STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL / August 21, 2011 ) East Ridge players during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011. |
O’Hara has won slightly more than 70 percent of his games in the school’s ten-year history.
East Ridge High School is a school in Clermont, Florida and one of seven public high schools in Lake County. East Ridge is the largest school in Lake County.
When O'Hara started the East Ridge football program back in 2002 he was quoted as saying
"We're starting everything brand new," O'Hara said. "This is when we start making traditions building on each game. This is all about the future. The future of football at East Ridge"
 |
| #28 PJ Perry played in this series for East Ridge seen here at William Penn University |
"I am really looking forward to starting a new tradition," said O'Hara, who had a 25-25 record at Leesburg and twice led the Yellow Jackets to playoffs.
"The thing that was the hardest for me was to leave my church family and these wonderful kids at Leesburg High School," he said. "I get hugged 30 or 40 times a day, and not just from athletes. They are truly warm people and I am going to miss them.
"But, whatever it takes [at East Ridge], we will get it done. The Lord will help us mold this into a program."
 |
| Randy Trivers (right) coached his final King's Trophy game in 2006. Now, long-time assistant and new Jaguars head coach Andrew Fields (left) looks to keep the Jaguars competitive. |
Trivers knows a little about dethroning the county football king while he coached at Germantown Northwest. Trivers and Northwest had to battle Seneca Valley for the Kings Trophy (Winners of 12 Maryland High School State Championships) for bragging rights in Germantown MD.
"There is a reason East Ridge has been the top dog" Trivers said. "Coach O'Hara does a great job. They play with great effort they're sound they're physical"
The players understand how important this district matchup is.
"It's definitely a gut check", East Ridge Senior Jerami Singleton said. "Its a pride thing"
 |
| East Ridge's Justin Horten |
East Ridge is turnover prone, look for the opportunistic Jacket defense to capitalize on any East Ridge mistakes. D'Mauri Jones says he will play and if he is healthy look for Leesburg to try to go vertical in the passing game. Look for East Ridge to put 8 men in the box and force Leesburg to beat them with it's passing game.
 |
| Curtis Dewberry played in this series for East Ridge seen here at Winona State. |
 |
| Richard Jackson played in this series for East Ridge seen here at Notre Dame. |
Key Stats — WR Juliard Roberts poses a double threat (3 carries, 106 yards rushing; 9 rec., 152 yds.). East Ridge — The Knights' main weapons are RBs Randy Bergan (68-472-5) and Jerami Singleton (43-210-3).
School: Clermont East Ridge
Class-District: 7A-4
2011 Record: 2-1
Head Coach: Bud O'Hara
East Ridge Coaching Record: 77-25 Overall Coaching Record: 228-101-2
NCAA FBS Prospects:: LB Justin Horton (Sr., 6-2, 215), RB Jerami Singleton (Sr., 5-10, 170)
Other top players: RB Randy Bergan (Sr., 5-10, 190), LB Justin Horton (Sr., 6-2, 215), RB Jerami Singleton (Sr., 5-10, 170), RB/LB Brian Mills (Jr., 5-10, 170), WR/QB Corey Harber (Sr., 5-8, 165), LB Khalil Pierson (Sr., 5-10, 175), DE Omar Mills (Jr., 6-0, 210), QB/WR/DB J.J. Martin (5-10, 175).3
Big Time Performers: RB/LB Brian Mills (Jr., 5-10, 170), RB Randy Bergan (Sr., 5-10, 190)
Overview: O'Hara, going into his 10th year at East Ridge, is the only head coach the school has had. East Ridge has missed the playoffs the in 2009 and 2010 after six consecutive playoff appearances. Horton has opened eyes among college recruiters with a good offseason.
 |
| University of Kentucky All-American Danny Trevathan played in this series for Leesburg. |
Class-District: 7A-5
2011 Record: 3-0
Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 9-4
Overall Coaching Record: 82-31
Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 9-4
Overall Coaching Record: 82-31
NCAA FBS Prospects: WR D'Mauri Jones (Sr., 6-4, 190), LB/DE Noor Davis (Sr., 6-4, 230), DB Trey Perry (Sr., 6-0, 190), OL/TE Jordan Tucker (6-3, 200), WR Julliard Roberts, Jr. (6-1, 175)
Other top players:WR/RB Jalen Dozier (Sr., 5-5, 150), RB Anthony Miller (Jr., 5-7, 185), LB Chase O'Donell (Sr., 5-8, 185), DB Jermaine Gadsden (Jr., 5-11, 170) |
| Under Armour High School All-American OLB Noor Davis (left) Leesburg Head Coach Randy Trivers (middle) University of Miami 2012 commit D'Mauri Jones (right) |
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