Thursday, April 28, 2011

Spring Football Report: Leesburg offense is starting over new April 28, 2011

LEESBURG HEAD COACH RANDY TRIVERS

2011 SPRING FOOTBALL REPORT

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

April 28, 2011

Leesburg will conduct it's first spring practice in the Randy Trivers era on Monday May 2, 2011. The Jackets will lose 30 lettermen to graduation this spring including LB Dondelaro Crosby (2011 Missouri State University signee), P/PK R.J. Peppers (2011 Towson State University signee) and WR/RB Luther McDowell.

Leesburg created a buzz last season as they entered the final game with the District Championship and a playoff spot on the line. Head Coach Randy Trivers wasn't hired until the Jackets had completed spring practice last year leaving him with only a few weeks to implement his system. He used a sophomore quarterback who had never started a varsity game before and broke several 41 year old passing records last season with Undra Mitchem, Jr. running the spread offense. The Jackets finished the season 6-4 their first winning season since the 2007 season.

Trivers is excited about the upcoming spring practices and having the chance for he and his new wife to reside in the city of Leesburg.

"Leesburg is a great fit for me,'' Trivers said. "There is great potential here and a great challenge ahead."

"I always have had it in the back of my mind that being a high school teacher and coach was more conducive to stability," Trivers said . "College coaching is more transient. You are really bouncing around quite a bit."

The Jackets will have to prepare for the increased media attention that come along with a high profile coach and highly recruited five star players. Five Star recruit D' Mauri Jones is high on everyone recruiting lists. He is listed at #57 on the Orlando Sentinel's 2012 Super60 list . Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks are in the hunt for Jones. They will have to beat out Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Miami, South Florida and Alabama in this hot recruiting battle.

D'Mauri Jones 6' 4" 185 had 40 catches, 544 yards and 12 TDs a junior. Jones and should break all of Greg Williams regular season and career receiving records in 2012. He will benefit from a balance offense and should see plenty of double teams this season leaving Julliard Roberts, Jr. (His father Julliard Roberts, Sr was a starting safety for the 1992 Class 4A Regional Championship team) and Jalen Dozier with opportunities for big numbers. He is virtually unstoppable near the goal line when lined up in one of one man coverage. Look for Jones and Mitchem to hook up regularly with the fade pass near the end zone. Jones will be the #1 option on offense.

Jr. WR #15 D' MAURI JONES

The Jackets will feature a very balance attack on offense. Watch out for more play action passes this spring. Mitchem is a student of the game and is developing his reads more as he will be free to audible into and out of called plays and formations. The offense will be more pro style and balanced this year giving quarterback Undra Mitchem, Jr. more chances to drop back and pass when he lines up under center this season. The Jackets used a shotgun spread offense last season with the backfield empty for most snaps. Trivers plans to run the football more and use play action more this season which should keep opposing defense's honest. Mitchem is a two-sport star with unlimited potential and will be the most highly recruited athlete ever by the end of his career at Leesburg.

"Undra has been making a lot of progress in his ability to manage the game," Trivers said. "He's getting better at making decisions on the field and he's throwing the ball with a lot of accuracy and command. He is showing more and more confidence in his receiving corps.

"He's only a sophomore, but he's beginning to play with a lot of poise."

The spring promises to be a hot and grueling one as Trivers has a reputation for running college style training camps during tenure at Germantown Northwest High School.

"I am not certain yet where we will be schematically, but this will be a well-disciplined team that will play a physical style of football,'' Trivers said. "They will play with great passion, and they will be extremely well-conditioned.

"I think this has been the hallmark of all my teams."

Trivers comes to the Yellow Jackets with a resume loaded with experience. He was as a graduate-assistant coach at Rutgers University in 2009, where he worked with the Scarlet Knights' running backs.

LEESBURG HEAD COACH RANDY TRIVERS AT THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

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.

Randy Trivers after winning the 2004 Maryland Class 3A state championship

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.

"We're trying to improve every week," Trivers said. "For us it's a learning process, for our players and coaches, as far as us being new to this thing. We've been together for a short amount of time. It's nice to jell as a program.

The Yellow Jackets will compete in the Class 7A-District 4 which promises to be one of the most interesting for Jacket fans. In the new Class 7A-4, East Ridge and South Lake will be joined by Leesburg, a new school set to open in Minneola in the fall, and Orlando Evans. The new district will help to establish a rivalry between East Ridge, South Lake, and Minneola, and Leesburg, one of Lake County's oldest schools.

Coach Curt Bradley and QB Undra Mitchem, Jr.

Starting quarterback Undra Mitchem, who entered the South Lake game with a streak of 46 passes without an interception, will have the opportunity to learn Randy Trivers 1000 play playbook during the spring something he didn't have a chance to do last season. The two sport start tied a state passing record when he threw eight TD passes in only his second varsity start in a 61-34 win over Mount Dora. Mitchem broke all of Mike Napier's 41 year old Leesburg High School regular season passing records. The 6' 2"/185 sophomore QB passed for 1849 yards and 21 touchdowns during the 2010 season. Mitchem set records in passing yardage, pass completions, pass attempts and touchdown passes. He is on pace to shatter all career passing records at Leesburg High School. With Five-Star prospect D' Mauri Jones, Julliard Roberts, Jalen Dozier, returning in 2012 Mitchem will have a experienced wide receiver corps to pass the football to.

"Undra has got a long way to go, but he's done a great job running our offense," Trivers said. "He's only a sophomore, so he's a lot of time to learn, but I'm very happy with the leadership he shows on the field and how hard he's worked."

Sophomore RB Anthony Miller

Anthony Miller returns as the starting running back for Leesburg and will see more carries this spring as he will hold down the tailback position in the I Formation. Miller averaged 7.0 per carry in the 2010 season but had limited touches. Miller has added more muscle to his frame and has increased his stamina in coach Triver's grueling offseason workout program. He will be asked to carry the ball more this season as the Jackets change their pass happy offense to a more balanced attack. Miller should have a breakout season and become Leesburg's first 1000 yard back in the Randy Trivers era.

Junior RB/WR #10 Jalen Dozier

Senior WR Jalen Dozier (WR D' Mauri Jones 1st cousin) a three year starter will have a breakout year in Coach Trivers offensive scheme look for his numbers to increase as he will be catching more passes from out of the backfield and slot receiver position.

Jr WR Julliard Roberts

Senior WR Julliard Roberts senior will be the sleeper out of this group. He is a big play threat and can score from anywhere on the field. He won't be able to sneak up on opponents by mid season his name will be high on college recruiting lists by then. He is an athlete that operates well in the open field and should have big numbers by season's end. He is a two sport athlete who help lead the Jackets to a Class 4A State Boys Basketball Championship this past season.

The defense will have to deal with the losses to graduation. Trivers will have to replace Dondelaro Crosby (Missouri State University signee), Robert Jones (D' Mauri Jones brother), Johnnie Fulton and Travell Sherrod.

Jr. LB #1 TREY PERRY

Keep a eye on Eustis transfer Trey Perry to make a immediate impact at the middle linebacker position for the Jackets. He will bring his aggressive hitting and nose for the football to a defense that has been depleted by graduation.

Jr. LB #44 CHASE O'DONNELL

Chase O' Donnell will bring his senior leadership to linebacker corps after having a outstanding junior campaign. With another year of playing in Trivers system he should attract plenty of attention from some NCAA Division II and NAIA schools.

Resources

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

http://www.leesburgyellowjacketfootball.com/

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.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Leesburg native Trevathan fulfilling promise by returning for senior season, April 21, 2011

PHOTO BY: Jonathan Palmer

Wildcats linebacker Danny Trevathan chased down Tennessee wide receiver Denarius Moore for one of his 144 tackles last season

Kentucky football's Trevathan fulfilling promise by returning for senior season

Soul-searching, a promise keep him at UK

By Chip Cosby ccosby@herald-leader.com

As he reflected on his flirtation with the NFL in January, Danny Trevathan admitted he had one foot out the door.

It didn't seem that Trevathan had much left to accomplish as a linebacker for the University of Kentucky.

He led the league in tackles and made the All-Southeastern Conference first team as a junior. Collegefootballnews.com named him a first-team All-American. And Kentucky's two other standout players, Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke, were also on the way to the NFL, with Cobb giving up his final year of eligibility.

"I was gone, man," Trevathan said. "I was out of here."

But in the days leading up to the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft, Trevathan did some soul-searching, and in a decision that surprised many people, decided to return to UK for his senior season.

From a football standpoint, going pro might have made sense for Trevathan. But in an age where college athletes often decide to take the money and run at the first opportunity, Trevathan said he wanted to fulfill a promise he made to his mother, Michelle Hicks, and get his diploma. Trevathan is on target to graduate in December with his degree in family science.

"I did a lot of self-evaluation about my future, and talked to my family," Trevathan said. "I just learned that the easy way isn't always the best way. The average NFL career is three years. I don't want to live that short and rely on just football. I want to get my education, finish school and build for my future."

Trevathan said he felt no pressure from UK Coach Joker Phillips or co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter.

"I talked a lot with Coach Joker, and he just put it in my hands," Trevathan said. "To me, that makes him a great coach and a great friend."

Phillips said he learned from dealing with several other Wildcats who have considered turning pro early in recent years.

"Nothing really surprises you when you've got guys thinking about leaving," Phillips said. "Most people would have been surprised when (ex-UK cornerback) Trevard Lindley came back. I was too at the time. We're just glad we've got Danny back. Danny's always been a leader by example. Now he's becoming one of the vocal leaders of the defense."

Trevathan also took into consideration the potential for an NFL lockout when deciding whether to return. Minter said that even if the two sides reach a labor agreement before the season starts, the potential for the shutdown of training camps and organized team activities hurts young players.

"(NFL teams) are going to be hard pressed to bring new guys into their programs," Minter said. "They're more than likely going to want to hang on to guys who know what to do in their systems."

The question now is how Trevathan can top a season in which he recorded 144 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and forced four fumbles.

He might not top those numbers. But Minter said Trevathan can improve his mental approach to the game.

"This kid can play," Minter said. "He's already the leading tackler. Now it's about taking himself mentally to a whole new level. Instead of just going out and making plays instinctively, he can understand how and why those things happen and know where the ball's going to go before it goes there and all those sort of things."

Trevathan said Minter is constantly harping on the mental part of football, and Trevathan admits he often made plays on pure talent.

"Coach Minter is always talking about having the right mentality, and last year I kind of overlooked it," Trevathan said. "I'd play around a lot, and I could just go out there and make plays because of my speed. This year I'm going to try to use my speed and use the rest of my defense as well."

With Cobb and Locke gone, Trevathan is now the face of the program, the guy who'll grace the cover of preseason magazines and media guides and serve as a de-facto representative for UK football. It's not a role that the unassuming Trevathan is comfortable with, but he's learning to accept it.

"I don't really think like that, but sometimes it is what it is," he said. "I've just got to take that responsibility. I really like to stay behind the scenes, but I notice when I go out, everybody notices me. Even in class. But it's all good. I'm just going to try and take it for what it is."

While Minter is installing a multiple defense that will see a lot of players moving to different spots, Trevathan's role as a weakside linebacker will basically remain the same.

"Fortunately for Danny, while there's all new terminology and fronts and alignments, he's most often going to be in a familiar place and role in our defense," Minter said. "He'll pretty much stay at home."

Minter believes that Trevathan ultimately made the right decision and thinks that will become evident long after his playing days are over.

"There are reasons why kids leave, but everybody becomes better with age and maturity," Minter said. "He can wrap up a lot of loose ends in life, and when he leaves Kentucky, he'll be a complete man because he'll have a degree and won't have to worry about coming back like so many kids who leave early. And when his football career is over, he'll be ready to tackle the real world and be very, very successful."

Resources
Chip Cosby

ccosby@herald-leader.com

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

R. J. Peppers signs with Towson State March 3, 2011

Coaches Still Recruting After Signing Day

Courtesy: Athletics Media Relations

Release: 03/10/2011

Even though it's been four weeks since National Signing Day, Coach Rob Ambrose and his football staff haven't stopped recruiting.

In fact, the Tigers' coach, entering his third season, has already added two more incoming freshmen, offensive lineman Jay Kenney of South Boston, Mass. and punter R.J. Peppers (Leesburg H.S., Leesburg, Florida), to the Tigers' incoming class.

FOR MORE CLICK BELOW

Coaches Still Recruting After Signing Day - Official Web Site of Towson University Athletics - TowsonTigers.com

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Former Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football Standout Greg Johnson at Florida State University 1974

1974 FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL GREG JOHNSON FEATURED IN PHOTO

Front Row, Left to Right: Head Coach Darrell Mudra, Phil Cahoon, Jessie Corner, Jeff Gardner, Chris Griffin, Garry Halfacre, Joe Joyner, Jeff Leggett, Leon Bright, Aaron Carter, Bobby Jackson, Larry Key, John Murphy, Lee Nelson, Donnie Holley, Turner, Herman Brown, Dennison, Will, Sekul, Pete Rodriguez

Second Row: Don Pollard, Ed Feely, Mike Barnes, Jimmy Black, Brooks Burroughs, Harold Cheeseborough, Mike Davison, Tony Falvo, Earl Humes, Randy Kaiser, Mike Kettman, Ralph Petrillo, Billy Prescott, Jeff Ridings, Jon Thames, Rudy Thomas, Steve Vickers, Crosby, Jimmy Heggins, Roger Overby, Milt Wilkerson, Kincaid, Rudy Falana, Joe Thomas, Cal Jones, Frank DeBord

Third Row: Bill Baggett, Sam Elliott, Ahmet Askin, Paul Bibler, Ricky Blythe, Burt Cooper, Craig Cunningham, Joe Downey, Clark Galen, Joe Goldsmith, D Hanks, Horton, Mercer, Pavlovich, Bobby McKinnon, Scott Meseroll, Fred Miller, Pat O'Leary, Mark Orlando, Greg Pounds, Detroit Reynolds, Rogozinski, Brian Schmidt, Garis Shaw, Mike Shumann, Andy Stockton, Bob Harbison, Gene McDowell

Fourth Row: Ed Brodzik, Joe Camps, Randy Coffield, Ron Coppess, Dan Corcoran, Jimmy Everett, Dan Fucarino, Danny Greene, Bruce Harrison, John Holcomb, Falkenstein, Jim Keyton, Danny Witcher, Wade Johnson, Larry Jones, Phil Jones, John Kilmurray, Mike Kissner, Billy McPhillips, Greg Pitt, Dave Porter, Alan Risk, Vic Rivas, Mike Pope

Fifth Row: Larry Pendleton, Mike Allen, Ed Beckman, Jay Caven, Doug Dane, Mike Harder, John Harmeling, Len Harvey, Greg Johnson Leesburg, FL, Bob Jones, Blaise Boscaccy, Curtis Harris, Nat Henderson, Gary Rose, Spotts, Rudy Maloy, Mark Marshall, Tom McDougal, Brad Prior, Tom Rushing, Bill Sawyer, Harry Slagle, Keith Tuten, Dan Henning

Photo provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Former Jackets Standout Danny Trevathan, Named Game Captain For Auburn game, October 4, 2010

Trevathan, McIntosh Named Game Captains for Auburn

Kentucky Football Notebook

Oct. 4, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior linebacker Danny Trevathan and sophomore kicker Craig McIntosh have been named game captains for the Auburn game, Coach Joker Phillips has announced.

Game captains are usually chosen on the basis of performance in the previous game. Trevathan, a native of Leesburg, Fla., is coming off the best game of his career against Ole Miss, as he recorded a personal-best 15 tackles. The junior also recorded two tackles-for-loss against the Rebels. Trevathan is tied for second in the Southeastern Conference and in a tie for 24th in the nation in tackles-for-loss with 1.60 TFL per game. The swift, physical linebacker is in a tie for sixth in the SEC in total tackles, averaging 8.40 stops per game.

McIntosh is also coming off a career game, launching a career-long 50-yard field goal against the Rebels. The native of Lexington, Ky., made two field goals in the game, hitting from 50 and 42 yards, one at the end of the first half to give UK momentum going in at halftime. McIntosh also placed a perfect on-side kick for Kentucky that would have put the Wildcats in key position to make a comeback.

Trevathan and McIntosh will join permanent captains Randall Cobb and DeQuin Evans at the pregame coin toss.

UK-South Carolina Game Time to be Decided: The University of Kentucky football game against South Carolina on Oct. 16 has been slated for either a 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. ET start. The official game time will not be announced until Sunday. The game will be broadcast live by either CBS, ESPN2 or ESPNU.

Resources

ukathletics.com

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Leesburg High School Women's 6.1 oz Ultra Cotton T-Shirt - G200L

$19.98

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Former Jackets standout Dontra Matthews sparks Rams, August 16, 2010

NO CONTEST: Victor Valley College's Dontra Matthews, center, is swallowed up by the Mt. San Antonio College defense during the third quarter in the season opener on Saturday. MATTHEW NABORS, FOR THE DAILY PRESS

Big plays help Rams pick up first win of season

October 16, 2010 11:26 PM

FROM STAFF REPORTS

www.vvdailypress.com

BIG PLAY DAY: Rams defensive back Dontra Matthews intercepts a pass during Saturday's victory over Compton College. The play was called back because of a penalty, but Matthews later returned an interception for a touchdown. MATTHEW NABORS, FOR THE DAILY PRESS

VICTORVILLE • Dontra Matthews (Leesburg H.S., Leesburg, Florida) provided a spark for the struggling Rams, then did it again.

Matthews had two long return touchdowns in Victor Valley College’s 27-13 win over Compton College on Saturday afternoon in the first American Mountain Conference game of the season for both teams.

The Rams (1-5, 1-0 AMC) got off to an inauspicious start when they fumbled on their first offensive possession and Compton’s Artkiest Jones recovered in the end zone for a 7-0 lead. But Matthews turned things around quickly by returning the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a TD that tied the score.

VVC’s Cameron Abeene scored on a 5-yard run with 1:25 left in the half, and Matthews padded the lead when he intercepted a pass a minute later and returned it 73 yards for his second touchdown of the day.

Freshman quarterback Courtney Patton added an 8-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Lewis in the fourth quarter.

The Rams piled up 227 rushing yards as a team. Abeene had 84 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, and Barstow High graduate Jerrelle Green ran 13 times for 99 yards. He also caught two passes for 21 yards.

Victor Valley College, which hosts San Diego Mesa on Oct. 23, held Compton to 182 yards of offense, 95 on the ground and 87 through the air.

CC 7 0 0 6 — 13
VVC 7 13 0 7 — 27

First Quarter
C — Jones fumble recovery (Sandoval kick)
V — Matthews 92 kickoff return (Peralta kick)
Second Quarter
V — Abeene 5 run (kick failed)
V — Matthews 73 interception return (Peralta kick)
Fourth Quarter
C — Williams 25 pass from Green (pass failed)
V — Lewis 8 pass from Patton (Peralta kick)

Resources

FROM STAFF REPORTS

www.vvdailypress.com

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Leesburg High School Embroidered New Era Unstructured Strech Cotton Cap - NE101 $26.99

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Leesburg High School football standout Dontra Matthews sign letters of intent

Pictured with Austin are: (seated) mother, Talvia, and (standing from left) Leesburg boys basketball coach Colt McDowell and football coach Charles Nassar. Photo by the Daily Commercial

FRANK JOLLEY / DAILY COMMERCIAL

Leesburg High School seniors Marquez Austin and Dontra Matthews make their college plans official by signing national letters of intent to attend Victor Valley College, two-year program located in the high desert region in Victorville, Calif. Both were signed as defensive backs. They helped lead Leesburg to 28 wins over the past four seasons and the school's first district championship (2007) since 1991.

Pictured with Matthews are: (seated) guardian Lori Matthews and (standing from left) McDowell, guardian Jim Matthews and Nassar. Photos by the Daily Commercial

RESOURCES

Frank Jolley

Daily Commercial

May 30, 2009

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com