Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football News: Leesburg at Bushnell South Sumter 2011 Game Preview, October 13, 2011

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Leesburg at Bushnell South Sumter 2011 Game Preview, October 13, 2011

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

October 13, 2011

LEESBURG - The Fightin' Yellow Jackets of Leesburg High School (5-1, 1-1) will face the Raiders of South Sumter High School (5-1, 2-0) at Raider Field in Bushnell, Florida tomorrow night. This will be the first time that the Jackets have traveled to Raider Field for a regular season game since 1994. Randy Trivers team will be on the road for the fourth time in five weeks as they face the best team in Sumter County. The Jackets and the Raiders only loss have come to the King of Lake and Sumter County football Clermont East Ridge.

The Raiders come into the game ranked as the #5 Class 4A team in the state. South Sumter is this week's #16 ranked team in the Orlando Sentinel Super 16 High School Football Poll. Leesburg is on the Super 16 Watch List this week. South Sumter is coming off of a big 22-21 win at home against previously undefeated Class 4A District 4 opponent Starke Bradford High School. Leesburg had a big 45-0 win against Lake Minneola last week in its Homecoming game.

Former San Diego Chargers Safety #42 Clint Hart younger brother LB Keanu Neal will play in the 2011 game against Leesburg. After the 14-7 win against Leesburg at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium. Hart threw the winning touchdown pass to Ladovick Gibson, Sr. Ladovick Gibson, Jr. will also play in the 2011 game against Leesburg Hart was quoted saying

"We've never sung on their field before," South Sumter's quarterback said as he stood on the turf of Leesburg's H.O. Dabney Field. "We just wanted to say we sung on their field."

After two seasons with a combined 5-15 record, Raiders head coach Inman Sherman has South Sumter in the State Championship hunt.

"Our fans aren't used to losing and I think the pressure is on us a little bit to get back into the win column," said Sherman.

Sherman is in his 28th season at South Sumter, he is one of only 14 coaches in the state of Florida to win 200 games at one school.

( STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL / August 21, 2011 )

Keanu Neal, South Sumter, during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

"The games we win, I forget the scores very quickly," said Sherman, who has a 216-101 career record in 28 years at South Sumter including 25 FHSAA Playoff wins, his only head coaching job. "But the games we lose, those are what stick with you. A lot of that, I think, has to do with the profession. The profession is: 'What have you done for me lately?' "

( STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL / August 21, 2011 )

Ian Papenheim, South Sumter, during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

"There is no reason to compete in sports and athletics other than to be able to compete against the best and that's what those guys are the best." Trivers said.

Sherman has built South Sumter into a perrinial Florida High School Football Powerhouse. Under Sherman the Raiders have made 15 FHSAA playoff appearances 16 overall. Through the years, there have been plenty of victories and championships -- nine double-digit victory seasons, 12 district titles, five regional championships, five state semifinals appearances, one state runnerup in 2005.

"It isn't something that I ever thought about until you guys [the media] started bringing it up," Sherman said of the achievements at the small school in Bushnell Florida.

( STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL / August 21, 2011 )

Keanu Neal, left, and Ian Papenheim during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

"I don't think he realizes it, but Inman is like a minister," said Marty Sherman, Inman's wife over 30 years. "He ministers to these kids and to their families. He does a lot of good work with the players and their families."

In 1984, when the Principal of South Sumter High School Bob Edwards conducted a search for a new head coach, he was intent on hiring one with a large coaching resume. Sherman had no head-coaching experience. Sherman came from Kentucky to interview for the job with no promises and Edwards' warning that he was only interested in experienced coaches.
"He was probably the most articulate coach I ever interviewed," said Edwards, who is now retired but still lives in Bushnell. "I interviewed him on a Saturday from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. After about an hour, he excused himself to use the bathroom and I told Jim Catlett [South Sumter's athletic director] he was the person for this program."

"I just had a notion that he would be perfect at our school. He was from a small town in Kentucky. He was used to working with rural kids. He liked small towns and he liked our community. I don't think you could have taken a mold and come up with a more perfect person for the job. He was one of the best hires I ever made."

Bushnell South Sumter Head Coach Inman Sherman

South Sumter has 90 players in its football program Sherman's program is known for its innovations. This year, he has combined junior-varsity and varsity practices to let some of the younger players get varsity repetitions. A few years ago, he implemented a two-platoon system, a no-huddle offense and a 25-second clock to speed up play and, when he became South Sumter's coach, he was among the first to establish a weightlifting program

The list of his former players and their accomplishments is impressive: Moffitt, Clinton Hart, a former quarterback and defensive back, now with the San Diego Chargers; Earl Everett, a linebacker who played at Florida and became famous for his 2007 BCS championship game sack of Ohio State's Troy Smith despite losing his helmet, and who has been in camp with the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons; Kendall Smith, a linebacker at FSU; Sam Miller, a former defensive back at USF; Clenton Crossley, a former running back at USF; Richard Kelly, a running back at USF; and Yourhighness Morgan, a linebacker at Florida Atlantic.

"Coach Sherman has been like a father to me," said Miller. "Coming from a single-parent environment, my mom had to work. Coach Sherman became my mentor. He is a great person. He will do almost anything for his players."

( STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL / August 21, 2011 )

Keanu Neal, left, and Ian Papenheim during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

This game is not a district contest, a loss doesn't jeopardize either team's playoff aspirations, it can, however, take some luster off the season. That doesn't lessen the intensity level in game for bragging rights. The game presents both coaches with an opportunity to find out how well their play perform in pressure situations, which may play a role in each team's success as they both will play in pivotal district games next week. Not only have they been winning their games, but they’ve been leading by more than 20 points each game, with the exception of East Ridge.

Sherman said he gets a lot of help on the field. Former San Diego Charger and Keanu Neal’s big brother Clint Hart gets involved with practice when he’s not in Omaha playing in the UFL. Former Raider and Florida State linebacker Kendall Smith assisted Sherman in teaching the boys a thing or two during summer drills.

“South Sumter has an excellent team," said Dunnellon Tigers head coach Frank Beasley after losing the Raiders earlier this season. They throw it well and they also do a nice job of running it. You have to pick your poison and we picked wrong a few times tonight.”

“Those guys are real good,” Beasley said on his Tigers loss to South Sumter. “We schedule games like this against good teams to get better and this one will help us down the road"

Leesburg second year head coach Randy Trivers and Sherman are two of the best High School Football coaches in the nation. Trivers knows a little something about building a powerhouse program. Trivers resume is loaded with football coaching experience. He was as a graduate-assistant coach at Rutgers University in 2009, where he worked with the Scarlet Knights' running backs.

Prior to that, Trivers spent two seasons as a running backs coach at Syracuse University.

A graduate of the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. and the University of Maryland, where he earned a master's degree, Trivers was head coach at Northwest High School in Germantown, Md. from 1998 to 2006.

The school's first head coach, Trivers built the Northwest program into a powerhouse, leading the Jaguars to the state quarterfinals in his second season. In 2004, Trivers guided Northwest to a 13-1 record and the Class 3A state championship. During his nine seasons at Northwest, Trivers compiled a 73-27 record with three regional and five district championships. Also, more than 50 of his players went on to play college football and 20 earned full scholarships.

Randy Trivers being carried off the field at M&T Stadium in Baltimore after winning the 2004 Maryland Class 3A State Football Championship at Germantown Northwest High School.

On the University of Syracuse football website, former head coach Greg Robinson praised Trivers' ability to manage the demands of coaching student-athletes.

"Randy is a highly decorated football coach and educator," Robinson said.

"He had the qualities I was specifically looking for in a running back coach. I scanned the football landscape far and wide to find what I was looking for and, after speaking with people on all levels of football, it became clear that Randy was a great fit.

"He has a passion for coaching and developing young people. He is an outstanding fundamental football coach and a real student of the game. Randy is a motivator and has high energy. Because of his success he is respected and connected in the Washington, DC area."

Trivers was named the Washington Redskins High School Coach of the Year for the 2006 high school football season. The Redskins High School Coach of the Year program is designed to recognize an and reward excellence in high school football coaching.

In 2007 Trivers was named to the Washingtonia 40 Under Forty Young Washingtonians To Watch. He is a coach that cares about his players and their early development in life.

“Those years between 9th and 12th grade are crucial,” says Trivers, 38. “Young people are making decisions that can impact them forever. I try to set a good example.”

He keeps in touch with graduates, many of whom have won college scholarships. Anwar Phillips of the New Orleans Saints was his first alum to reach the NFL.

“There’s no better profession where you can see the difference you’ve made in people’s lives,” said Trivers.

Trivers knows that this can be the first big signature win under his tenure at Leesburg. He tells everyone that is involved with the Jacket Football Program that the size of the school doesn't matter. Trivers realizes that he is facing a program that is back on the rise under Sherman and his Jackets needs to step up for the community and Leesburg High School.

"So the whole 6A, 7A, 8A all of that stuff, we really don't think about all that stuff," said Trivers. We just need to go out there and execute the plan that we put in place. Hopefully our coaches will coach well and our kids will play well"

"We are never going to be especially in this particular season the biggest team on the field," said Trivers. "In fact most often we will be smaller than all our opponents and I think that has been the case pretty much all year already we been able to win."

"Fundamentally we try to teach our kids to utilize what they have the best way they can, in terms of leverage and fundamental techniques", said Trivers." "We try to be smart with scheme and certainly things such as strength and stamina that come into play."

PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER

This is a tight match-up and a well-timed game as far as scheduling goes. With the season approaching the halfway point and both teams starting their district play, this should be a good test to help both teams strategize against good competition before they try to secure a spot in the playoffs.

South Sumter rotates Ian Papenheim (Sr., 6-3, 190), (36-56-508, 7 TD's 1 INT) and Clay Simmons (298, 3 TD's, 2 INT's) for most of the game. Papenheim went into last weeks game leading the Orlando Sentinel Class 4A-8A Central Florida area in Passing percentage at 64.3%. Papenheim was 9th in the area in touchdowns passes last week with 7. Papenheim has the better passing stats, but both are equally explosive on offense. Papenheim and Simmons do a good job of distributing the football to all of the Raider receiver Leesburg won't be able to double covered anyone.

The Raiders are also balanced offensively and have tough hardnosed running backs in Dillon Hagins, Garrett McMullen (269 rushing yards) and Shawn Baker (65-386, 3 TDs, 10-130 rec. yds., 13.0 per catch), Devarreus Gibson (269 rushing yards). Baker is just as dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield.Hagins (6-4, 213) is being recruited by the University of Florida, University of Houston, University of Miami, University of South Florida, University of Texas and USC.

What is most the impressive about South Sumter's players stats is that they are a 4A with about 1,100 students and the stats or compiled with schools 4A through 8A. South Sumter has had solid performances running the football. The Raiders seem to be working on big offensive plays this season. As long as they establish the run, the passing lanes will open up. The Raiders are always well coached and play tough, clean football. With only six seniors to provide leadership, Sherman said he hopes the Clermont East Ridge loss was a wake up call for his young team.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 7, 2011

The Raiders receivers are some of the best in Central Florida. Ladovick Gibson, Jr. (14-330, 23.8, 3 TDs), Kameron Bannister (had 147 all purpose yards against previosly undefeated Starke Bradford last week), Gianni Martinez and Javonte Everett (14-146, 10.4), will test the Jackets secondary all game long. Gibson's father Ladovick Gibson, Sr. caught the game winning touchdown against Leesburg on September 25, 1993 from Former San Diego Chargers Safety Clint Hart, in a 14-7 win over Leesburg. Gibson is having a big year for the Raiders he went last week's game leading Central Florida in receiving yards per catch .

South Sumter's defense, with two shutouts and led by LB Keanu Neal (98 tackles, 16.3 per game, 7 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions) who Sherman refers to as "the best in the county". South Sumter junior Keanu Neal is proving to be one of north central Florida’s most gifted student-athletes. He is successfully making the transition from linebacker to safety, while maintaining a 3.4 GPA.

Inman Sherman, head football coach at South Sumter High School, didn’t have enough good things to say about Neal, whom he affectionately refers to as “Kiki.” According to Sherman, he is as perfect as they come.

“He’s a lot of fun to watch," Sherman said. "If you haven’t seen him play, you need to.”

Neal runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds, benches 285 pounds, and has a 3.4 GPA. The 6’0, 200-pound playmaker has drawn attention from Kentucky, USF, and Georgia Tech, but hasn’t committed to any offers.

#15 senior wide receiver D'Mauri Jones(PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 7, 2011)

“I was really excited to get my first offer from USF. It was hard to believe,” Neal said.

Neal said Sherman brings out the best in him by pushing the team every day. Sherman has watched Neal grow up and coached his brother, former NFL player, Clinton Hart, in the ‘90s. Hart played for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and briefly for the St. Louis Rams. Sherman said Neal is very much like Hart, but maybe a “faster, stronger, new and improved version.”

This game may come down to special teams and field position. South Sumter punter Dillon Hagins 38.6 per punt and is ranked 8th in Central Florida.

Leesburg comes into the game averaging 31.2 points per game. They run out of the I Formation and relie on senior I Back Emmanuel Nelson (549 yards, 5 TDs) to carry the running game. Senior WR/RB/PR Jalen Dozier (Sr., 5-5, 150) may be the teams most explosive player. He is a all purpose player and can hurt you in many ways. Dozier scored 3 touchdowns last week and had a punt return call back on a penalty. Senior wide receiver Juillard Roberts, Jr. and 2012 University of Miami commit D'Mauri Jones (16 catches, 172 yards) will stretch the Raiders defense vertically. Both are also good ball carriers on reverses and end around plays.

On Defense the Jackets are led by 2012 Stanford commit OLB Noor Davis who is back from a injury after missing three games. He had a immediate impact last week in helping Leesburg to its first shutout of the season, after giving up 88 points in the three games he did not play in. OLB Jordan Tucker has made big plays the last couple of weeks look for more of the same tommorow night.

Sophomores Austin Walker, Demitric Blue, Bryant Benton and PK James Eldridge have played outstanding football for Randy Trivers.

There has been one notable South Sumter player who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. South Sumter's are Clint Hart (San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles) played in the 1993 and 1994 game.

On April 7, 2008 Former South Sumter Raider Clint Hart signed signed a six-year, $18 million contract. Hart played in the 1993 and 1994 game against Leesburg.

There have been several notable Leesburg players who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. Leesburg players are Ashley Hunt (University of Cincinnati), Kahlill Tucker (South Carolina State) to name a few.

School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida

Class-District: 7A-5

2011 Record: 5 -1, (1 -1)

Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 11-5
Overall Coaching Record: 84-32

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),

Big Time Performers: Austin Thomas, Trey Perry, Manny Nelson, Jordan Tucker, Jalen Dozier, D'Mauri Jones, Noor Davis, Max Green, Brandon Foor, Bryant Benton, Julliard Roberts, Jr, Austin Walker, Jeremy Jones, Anthony Miller, James Eldridge, Chase O'Donell, Demitric Blue.

School: Bushnell South Sumter

Class-District: 4A-4

2011 Record: 5-1

Head Coach: Inman Sherman (28th season)

South Sumter Coaching Record: 216-101

Overall Coaching Record: 216-101
Career Playoff Appearances: 15
Career Playoff Record: 26-16
Coaching Experience:
'84-'11 South Sumter Head Coach
'77-'83 Laurel County, KY Assistant Coach
'76 Madison, KY Assistant Coach

NCAA FBS Prospects: LB Keanu Neal (Jr., 6-1, 200), WR Kameron Bannister (Jr., 5-8, 146), DE Darien Williston (Jr., 6-3, 223)

Other top players: QB Ian Pappenheim (Sr., 6-3, 190), DE Darien Williston (Jr., 6-3, 223), OL B.K. Allen (Sr., 6-3, 345), OL Dalton Moss (Sr., 5-10, 249), OL Luis Covarribias (Sr., 6-0, 307). RB Shawn Baker (Sr., 5-10, 160), LB Keanu Neal (Jr., 6-1, 200), WR Kameron Bannister (Jr., 5-8, 146).

Big Time Performers Kameron Bannister, Ladovick Gibson, Jr., Darien Williston

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

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