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| Leesburg at St. Cloud game action. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011) |
Listen to the Randy Trivers Show and game live at www.my790am.com.
Randy Trivers Show starts at 6:30 P.M.
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
October 6, 2011
LEESBURG - Its Homecoming week for the Jackets and their is a buzz of excitement in the air in the city of Leesburg. Second year head coach Randy Trivers brings his 4-1 (0-1) Yellow Jackets back home to Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium for the first time in three weeks. They will face Corey Brinson's Lake Minneola High School Hawks of Minneola, Florida in the first meeting ever between the Jackets and the first year school from South Lake County.
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( TOM BENITEZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL ) Coach Corey Brinson leads Lake Minneola's first football practice on Monday, August 8, 2011. Lake Minneola is the new high school in Lake County. |
"Me and my team do understand that we can end a 19 year drought and we practice like it everyday," said senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. "We work hard on being the best conditioned team and the best at executing plays"
"We do believe that if we continue to improve each week and remain healthy, we can win the District Championship," said 2012 High School Butkus Award Nominee OLB Noor Davis.
"I don’t focus on individual statistics." "My goals are really focused on helping LHS win as many games as we can, reaching the state playoffs, and in advancing to the 7A state championship game…and winning it!"
Lake Minneola is Lake County's newest high school located in the city of Minneola in South Lake County. This is a first year school and the football team is made up almost entirely of players from nearby high schools Clermont East Ridge High School and Groveland South Lake High School. Lake Minneola is a young team that has no senior Class yet, making it a team of all underclassmen. They come into the game with a 1-3 (0-0) record in their inaugural season. The Hawks have numbers and raw talent they have continually played better as season progresses.
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| Lake Minneola High School's Andrew Jones (12) and Matt Segal (44) whoop it up after Segal stops Celebration High's Carlos Martinez Quentin Lewis in the second quarter of their game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. The game was the school's inaugural home game. |
Don't be deceived by Lake Minneola 2011 win-loss record, following a pair of close losses to open the season, Lake Minneola leaped into the win column in a big way on Sept. 16, blasting Celebration 49-0 in the first home game in school history. A capacity crowd was on hand at Hawks Field to witness the historic event. In two of the losses they had the football in last few minutes with a chance to win it.
"We hung in there and had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter," Lake Minneola coach Corey Brinson said. "That's all I could've asked for from these guys. Many of them were playing in their first varsity game and I'm very proud of the way they responded in pressure situations. We made our share of mistakes -- lining up in the wrong formation and committing silly penalties that are typical for a first game."
"All in all, I was very proud of our kids, and I think Lake Minneola High School can feel very proud about our first game."
Keep your eyes on Walteze Collier (RB/DB) and Omar Mills (DE). They have stepped up as leaders, on the field and off. “Walteze Collier is definitely a stand out," says Brinson. "He has shown me that he has more polish than flair. He is a very talented kid!”
This game starts a new season for the Hawks, this is their first district game of the year. Corey Brinson squad are still in the district race that what makes them such a dangerous opponent for the Jackets. Leesburg has already suffered one district loss and are still mathematically in the playoff hunt. They must first win the rest of its district games to claim the district runnerup spot. They will need for one of the other district teams to knock off East Ridge to have a chance for a tie for the district lead forcing a district tiebreaker.
"We try not to let our guys look to far ahead than this one game its a big picture." said Trivers.
"We want our kids to believe they have a chance to win every time they step on the field," said Corey Brinson Lake Minneola's first year head coach. "We know we're going to have our struggles this year, but I'm not going to allow anyone to use the fact we're a first-year program as an excuse to be satisfied with losing."
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| (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011) |
On offense the Jackets will try to establish the run early against the Hawks young defense. Leesburg's leading rusher Emmanuel Nelson left last weeks game against St. Cloud with a injury and is listed as probable for this game. Nelson the Jackets workhorse gained 162 yards on 30 carries last week and has had four 100 yard games in 2011. Nelson totals for 2011 are 86 carries for 509 yards and 5 touchdowns. Both teams like to grind it out on the ground look for much of the same tomorrow night. Both teams have no problem putting points on the scoreboard as Lake Minneola comes into the game averaging 27.5 points per game while Leesburg is averaging 30.2 a game.
Trivers will try to get the ball in the hands of his big play receivers senior Juilliard Roberts (11 catches 192 yards, 2 TDs) 17.5 yards per catch, 2012 University of Miami (FL) commit D'Mauri Jones (10 catches for 135 2 TDs) 13.5 yards per catch and Jalen Dozier (8 catches for 107 yards, 2 TDs) 13.4 yards per catch.
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| Leesburg at St. Cloud game action. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011) |
Senior MLB Chase O'Donell and senior Brandon Foor have played well for the Jackets defense. They have proven themselves to be the leaders of the "Black Jackets" defense. Juniors Austin Walker, Jermaine Gasden and Jordan Tucker have made big play after big play look for that to continue tomorrow night.
The Jackets will depend on special teams play by Austin Walker and PK James Eldridge who had three field goals including the game winner against St. Cloud. Eldridge converted all of his P.A.T.s and put four kickoffs into the end zone.
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| (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011) |
"We might take our lumps this year, like all first-year programs do, but we'll all be able to look back and realize these kids and this coaching laid the groundwork for all future successes Lake Min-neola will have on the football field," said Brinson on his teams youth and inexperience.
Brinson understands the importance of playing hard and well every Friday night in order to build a winning program and tradition. He looks at this game as a potential upset and a program builder if his squad can go into Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney and pull out a win.
"I tell our kids that they are a first," Brinson said. "There's never been a football team at Lake Minneola High School -- heck, there's never been a Lake Minneola High School before this year. In 30 years, these kids will be able to sit back and tell their wives, children and grandchildren about being part of the first football team here. Nobody else will ever be able to say that.
"That's something we can build on."
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| Leesburg at St. Cloud game action. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011) |
Brinson spent last season serving as the defensive coordinator at Evans High School.
Brinson also played safety and cornerback at Bethune-Cookman University from 1993-97 was an All-MEAC honorable mention at strong safety in 1996.
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| Leesburg High School second year head coach Randy Trivers |
Leesburg controls its own playoff destiny and a Homecoming win Friday night can help bring them closer to reaching that goal. The Jackets have not been in the playoffs since the 2007 season when they were led by University of Kentucky All-American LB Danny Trevathan.
"All of our goals are still intact we want to be a playoff team," said Trivers. "We still have plenty of football ahead of us and some games that we will hopefully be prepared to compete in and get some wins in those district ball games that's a goal."
Leesburg has not won a playoff game since 1992 when they were Regional Champions. The road to playoffs continues tomorrow night at Hubert O. Dabney stadium start time is 7:00. You can listen to the live radio broadcast at 790am or online at: www.my790am.com
School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida
Class-District: 7A-5
2011 Record: 4 -1, (0 -1)
Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)Leesburg Coaching Record: 10-5
Overall Coaching Record: 83-32
NCAA FBS Prospects: WR D'Mauri Jones (Sr., 6-4, 190), OLB/DE Noor Davis (Sr., 6-4, 230), DB Trey Perry (Sr., 6-0, 190), OLB/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), School: Lake Minneola High School, Minneola, Florida
Class-District: 7A-5
2011 Record: 1-3 (0-0)
Head Coach: Corey Brinson
Lake Minneola Coaching Record: 1-3
Overall Coaching Record: 16-38
Players to Watch:LB Ashton Snipes (Jr., 5-10, 195), LB Matt Segal (Soph., 5-10, 175), DB Austin Strickland (Jr., 5-8, 140), OL/DL Kevin McGill (Jr., 5-11, 265), OL/DL Tyler Lynn (Jr., 6-1, 250), LB/OL Hayden Campbell (Soph., 5-10, 190), LB/OL Drake Canto (Soph., 5-9, 170), RB/DB Walteze Collier (Jr., 5-9, 175), QB/DB Ricardo Housen (Jr., 6-1, 180), WR/DB Morris Lawrence (Jr., 6-1, 185), K/P Rickie Mortlock (Soph., 5-9, 155), K/P Rian Barnett (Jr., 5-8, 140), RB/LB Olan McCoy (Jr., 5-10, 175), RB/RS Anthoney Boney (Jr., 5-8, 150).
LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY
State Championships 1927, 1929, 1934
State Runnerup 1928, 1969
District Championships 1969, 1971, 1992, 2007
1969 A CLASS 2A District Playoffs: Leesburg 12, Auburndale 0
Semifinals: Leesburg 36, Belle Glade 23
Championship: Blake 27, Leesburg 6 Blake (Tampa)
1971 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: Haines City 34, Leesburg 0
1992 CLASS 4A District Playoffs: Leesburg 47, Land O’Lakes 0
1992 Class 4A Regional Playoffs: (Daytona Beach) Seabreeze 24, Leesburg 10
2000 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: New Smyrna Beach 34, Leesburg 0
2001 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: 37 Palm Bay (Melbourne), Leesburg 0
2005 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach) 63, Leesburg 20
2007 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Columbia (Lake City) 21, Leesburg 0;
FHSAA Finals Record 0-1
FHSAA Tournament Record 3-7
2011 Leesburg High School Varsity Football Roster
# Name Grade
2 Juilliard Roberts 12
4 Jerel Sims 11
5 Jermaine Gasden 11
6 Jeremy Jones 11
7 Undra Mitchem 11
8 Trevone Perry 12
9 Austin Walker 11
10 Jalen Dozier 12
11 Anthony Harris 12
12 Noor Davis 12
13 Devonte Williams 11
15 D'Mauri Jones 12
16 Lee Bennett 10
17 Darius Connelly 12
18 Bradley Scott 11
19 Zack Mahan 12
20 Manny Nelson 12
23 Bryant Benton 10
25 Brandon Foor 12
26 Demitric Blue 10
29 James Winnings 11
30 James Eldridge 10
31 Jordan Tucker 11
32 Chandler Strong 11
33 Tre'von Johnson 11
34 Jaleel Brown 12
35 Damonte Mosely 11
40 Flint Hicks 12
41 Austin Nappi 11
42 Yashane Pinnock 11
43 Cameron Jackson 11
44 Chase O'Donell 12
49 Trevon Bell 10
50 Ben Peppers 11
51 John Peters 12
52 Garrett Nelson 12
53 Devonte Jacobs 11
52 Garrett Nelson 12
53 Devonte Jacobs 11
54 Chris Smith 11
56 Adriel Handsborough 11
57 Max Green 12
58 Austin Thomas 12
61 Tanner Stewart 11
62 Estader Maurepas 11
70 Jeremiah Miller 12
71 Blake McKeeby 11
77 Andre Alexander 11
78 Zackery Pharmer 11
81 Jason Vogt 11
82 Braxton Bennett 12
95 Diontre Cornish 12
99 Tyler Reed 11
2011 Lake Minneola High School Varsity Football Roster
56 Adriel Handsborough 11
57 Max Green 12
58 Austin Thomas 12
61 Tanner Stewart 11
62 Estader Maurepas 11
70 Jeremiah Miller 12
71 Blake McKeeby 11
77 Andre Alexander 11
78 Zackery Pharmer 11
81 Jason Vogt 11
82 Braxton Bennett 12
95 Diontre Cornish 12
99 Tyler Reed 11
2011 Lake Minneola High School Varsity Football Roster
Resources
Photos by:
Daily Commercial
Orlando Sentinel
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
Class of 2001 Leesburg High School
Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. In the begining as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.
"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories."
Ashley Beyer Class of 2001 Leesburg High School
Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
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