Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Noor Davis, D’Mauri Jones give Leesburg two big-time recruits, August 23, 2011

Noor Davis and D'Mauri Jones give Leesburg two big-time recruits

by Joe Williams

Orlando Sentinel

August 23, 2011

Leesburg’s athletic program could be on quite a resurgence. The Yellow Jackets boys basketball team won the Class 4A state championships last year and their football team has two of Central Florida’s most prized recruits.

Noor Davis (6-4, 225), a senior linebacker who transferred this year from The Villages Charter School, has committed to Stanford University. He is regarded as the No. 1 linebacker in the country by Rivals.com and is No. 11 on the Sentinel’s 2012 Central Florida Super60 recruiting list.

D’Mauri Jones (6-3, 175), a senior wide receiver, has committed to the University of Miami. Jones, No. 15 in the Super60 list, had 40 receptions for 544 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He also played on the Yellow Jackets basketball team..

The two, who attended Saturday’s third annual Sentinel Varsity Football Media Day, are both expecting a lot of success this season for the Yellow Jackets. Jones said winning a state championship in basketball has helped give him a lot of confidence for this coming football season.

“It showed us that if you work hard, in the end you can accomplish anything,” Jones said about the biggest lesson he learned from the basketball season.

Davis said he has noticed a big difference transferring from Villages to Leesburg where second-year coach Randy Trivers, a former college assistant at Rutgers and Syracuse University, has instilled a positive attitude. Davis had 88 tackles in nine games last season with 6.5 quarterback sacks.

“I don’t want to look back at the past, I am excited about the future,” Davis said when asked to compare the two programs. “All I will say is it is tremendously different at Leesburg. There are a lot more athletes and a better coaching staff. I just tip my hat to what is being done at Leesburg.”

Resources
Joe Williams
Orlando Sentinel
August 23, 2011

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

Leesburg Yellow Jackets fall football report, August 21, 2011

Leesburg High School OLB Noor Davis

August 21, 2011|By Joe Williams, Sentinel Staff Writer

School: Leesburg
Class-District: 7A-5
2010 Record: 6-4
Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 6-4
Overall Coaching Record: 79-31

Star Power: WR D'Mauri Jones (Sr., 6-4, 190), LB/DE Noor Davis (Sr., 6-4, 230)

Other top players: WR/RB Jalen Dozier (Sr., 5-5, 150), QB Undra Mitchem (Jr., 6-1, 200), RB Anthony Miller (Jr., 5-7, 185), LB Chase O'Donell (Sr., 5-8, 185), DB Jermaine Gadsden (Jr., 5-11, 170)

Breakout Candidates: Trey Perry, Manny Nelson, Jordan Tucker

Overview: Jones already committed to Miami, Davis, a transfer from The Villages, committed to Stanford. Mitchem threw for 1,860 yards and 21 touchdowns last season and Jones had 40 catches, 544 yards. Another transfer is DB Trey Perry (Sr., 6-0, 190). Yellow Jackets should be in condition, tough and display team unity and should compete for a district playoff spot in a district that includes east Ridge, South Lake, Evans and Lake Minneola.

Kickoff Classic: at Jones, Aug. 26, 7:30

Resources

Joe Williams

Sentinel Staff Writer

Orlando Sentinel

August 21, 2011

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Leesburg High rolls over Cypress Creek, 63-0, September 19, 1992

Leesburg High rolls over Cypress Creek, 63-0

By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 19,1992

LEESBURG - If the Leesburg Yellow jackets wanted to win one for the Gipper, they might have saved it for a more meaningful occasion.

With head coach Ed Hoffman absent because of injury, Leesburg entered Friday night's game against first-year school Cypress Creek determined to make fans forget their error-prone opening victory over Eustis. Not that the Bears would have had a chance anyway.

Leesburg scored on eight of its 10 offensive possessions and coasted to a 63-0 victory that easily could have been more lopsided. The Jackets improved to 2-0.

Defensive coordinator George Fuller ran the team in place of Hoffman, who incurred a broken leg as well as knee and ankle damage during an accident in Wednesday's practice. Fuller's most difficult challenge was keeping the score down.

"This is entirely, unequivocally Ed Hoffman's program," Fuller said afterward. "I can't wait to hand him his whistle."

Hoffman is scheduled for surgery today and may miss the team's game next Friday at Auburndale.

But none of that mattered Friday night as Leesburg, ranked ninth in Class 4A, rolled to a 43-0 halftime lead. Quarterback Steve Gooden, who normally watches tailback Oran Singleton do the scoring, got into the act in the first half. He capped Leesburg's first drive with a 15-yard keeper, and immediately after Julliard Roberts' interception, Gooden made a nice reverse-field run for a 29-yard score.

"It was wide open; they were so worried about the fullback and the tailback they weren't coming to me," Gooden said.

The rout was on. Singleton scored three times in the first half and fullback Nick Williams added another touchdown before Leesburg pulled the first team.

Gooden said Leesburg had planned to use the de facto scrimmage to work on its passing game. He settled for tossing four passes and completing three for 79 yards.

"I told them (his teammates) before we went out, the key to this game was the intensity level," Gooden said. "When we played Eustis, we didn't have the intensity. We just went out flat."

Despite the Jackets' total dominance, however, their performance isn't flawless. Blocking penalties negated Singleton's touchdown runs of 38 and 25 yards, although Leesburg still scored on both possessions. Backup tailback Herbert Ellis saw a Singleton-like, 66-yard sprint nullified just before the half.

Singleton finished with 170 yards on 10 official carries, although he added a 60-yard touchdown on a free kick return. In two games, penalties have cost Singleton 120 yards and four touchdowns.

"We just can't keep making those mistakes," Fuller said.

Not that it mattered. Leesburg amassed 446 yards of offense, scoring on all but its final possessions of each half. Cypress Creek has been outscored in its two games by 119-13

Leesburg allowed Cypress Creek fullback Norman Levy to gain 155 yards on 21 carries, and
twice the Bears threatened to avoid a shutout. But Fred Waczewski missed a 32-yard field goal late in the first half, and Leesburg's second-team defense held on downs late in the fourth quarter.

"Facing Singleton tonight and (St. Cloud's Eric) Butler last week - those are two of the top backs in the state of Florida," Cypress creek Coach Dave Langdon said.

"We've got even seniors who haven't played before. We played against a great team with a great back."

And it didn't help the Bears that Leesburg had added incentive - to win it for Hoffman.

"I was pleased with he way the kids came together and didn't give us any problems," Fuller said. " We expect them to go out and play hard, and that (Hoffman's absence) is certainly incentive."

That and the team's disappointment with the Eustis game formed a double motivation.

"We had to show we were a mature team and we could come through adversity and win
without our head coach," Gooden said. "I think we came a long way tonight. We didn't play to
the other team's level. We played at our level."

LEESBURG 63, CYPRESS CREEK 0

at Leesburg
Cypress Creek 0 0 0 0--0
Leesburg 21 22 13 7--63

First Quarter
Lee-Gooden 13 yard run (Rausch kick)
Lee-Gooden 29 yard run (Rausch kick)
Lee-Singleton 3 yard run (Rausch kick)
Second Quarter
Lee-Williams 20 yard run (Rausch kick)
Lee-Singleton 52 yard run (Rausch kick failed)
Lee-Safety, ball snapped out of end zone
Lee-Singleton 60 kick return (Rausch kick)
Third Quarter
Lee-Ellis 1 yard run (kick failed)
Lee-Singleton 40 yard run (Rausch kick)
Fourth Quarter
Lee-Roberts 1 yard run (Rausch kick)

CYPRESS CREEK Leesburg

12                      First Downs                       19
37-194              Rushes-Yards                 38-367
8                        Yards Passing                    79
1-11-1               Passes                              3-4-0
2-27                  Punts-Avg.                         0-0
3-2                    Fumbles Lost                      4-1
1-5    Penalties Yards    4-41

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Cypress Creek: Johnson 3-10, Barrett 5-8, Levy 21-155,
Rainat 6-39, Leesburg: Singleton 10-170, Gooden 5-61, Keith 2-5,
Williams 7-56, Ellis 6-39, Blake 5-29, Roberts 3-7

PASSING--Cypress Creek: Barrett 1-10-1, 8 yards; Lemon 0-1-0;
Leesburg: Gooden 3-4-0-, 79 yards

RECEIVING--Cypress Creek: Rainat 1-8; Leesburg: Cook 1-15, Keith
1-47, Blake 1-17

Resources

Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 19,1992

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Oran ignites LHS offense, August 28, 1992

Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Home of the Jackets

Spotlight shines upon Singleton

By Bob Castello
Daily Commercial Staff Writer

Daily Commercial

August 28, 1992

LEESBURG - The phone rang and Oran singleton answered. The voice on the other end introduced himself as Bobby Bowden. Singleton immediately thought of a couple of friends Steve Gooden and Herbert "Tank" Ellis, and an obvious prank.

"I thought it was Tank and Steve playing a joke," Singleton said.

Fortunately, Singleton refrained from blurting out a quick reply.

"I paused," he said, trading his trademark smile for a perplexed look for just a moment, "because I didn't want to say anything wrong. Then he started talking about this camp he was having, and I knew it was him."

It was indeed Bowden, Florida State's head coach and one of the countless individuals seeking the future services of Singleton. Florida Coach Steve Spurrier has also checked in, though Singleton wasn't around for that call.

After the season the 5-foot-6, 150-pound tailback put together for Leesburg High last season, Singleton has been a popular member of most coaches' mailing lists. Jackets head coach Ed Hoffman said most of the mail he received over the summer was regarding Singleton.

"Florida is known for its skill people, and he was one of the leading rushers in the state," Hoffman said. "That;s national recognition right there."

Singleton's goal entering the 1991 season was to surpass 1,000 yards. He blasted past that mark in just the sixth game of the season and finished with 1,798 yards on 193 carries - better than 9 yards per attempt. He was honored following the season as a Class 4A first-team all-state selection.

Hoffman said Singleton was leading the nation in rushing for part of the year, and he led the state for about half the season. At times, he even surprised himself.

When I ran for 275 against (Ocala Vanguard, that shocked me," Singleton said.

He had a barometer entering that game. Area rival Bayfus McCoy of Eustis had gained 248 against Vanguard in an earlier meeting.

Though Singleton outrushed McCoy (ho finished with 1,310 yards) last season, the rivalry was always a topic of conversation in the area.

McCoy has move on , and Singleton, in a way, has the stage to himself this season. But he said he already has a new rival with whom to contend - McCoy's successor, Oliver Longley.

"we played against each other in JV," Singleton said. "He's a good player."

And the two met again this summer at the University of Florida.

They were among a group of 25 students who enrolled in a one[month session to further themselves in various classes in preparation for college.

Among the classes was a course in preparing for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Singleton said he has already taken the exam once, but he came up just short of the 700 score necessary to compete at any NCAA level school. He said he sis scheduled to take the test again in October.

Hoffman said if Singleton achieves thte required score, his options will be may.

"Probably not as a running back, but as a kick returner or punt returner," Hoffman said. "He's quick as a cat. The scouts all like him."

Singleton, a New York native who moved to Leesburg in the fifth grade, said his first choice would be Michigan. He's not bothered by the coled weather, and he's enthralled with the size of the Wolverines' linemen.

He said Florida, Florida State, Miami and Clemson are also high on his list.

Scouts from Florida and Pittsburgh were among those on had at the spring jamboree. Singleton can expect may others to take a look this season.

Hoffman has put together r a 15 minute e highlight tape on Singleton for scouts to see when they come to Leesburg.

Despite all of the attention he's a team player, and anything that's better for the team is what he wants to do," Hoffman said.

"He really supports the team a lot," echoed Jackets offensive guard Clay Rector. "He goes all out for the team."

Rector and the rest of the offensive line attended a camp at Valdosta State College during the summer. Not surprisingly, Singleton took notice.

"Then I came back (from Gainesville), I heard they were the stars of the show up there," Singleton said. "i was proud of them. I'm sticking behind them."

While Singleton can again be expected to gather his share of rushing yards, he can also be expected to catch a few more passes. Hoffman said the Jackets' offense will include more passing, and Singleton should see the ball come his way with greater frequency.

Last year, Gooden threw to Singleton just three times, with one going for a key touchdown against Orlando Edgewater.

"We're going to try and get the ball in his hands as much as possible," Hoffman said. It's just a different way of getting him the ball....He's got great hands."

And Singleton knows that he'll command attention on the field.

"That'll be good; then the other players can get (the ball)." he said. "If I never score a touchdown, that's fine as long as we win."

And he knows he'll command attention on and off the field - from the recruiters. And his teammates are just happy Singleton is being singled out.

"It shows that we've got one of the best running backs in the state,: Rector said.

"He's one of the most team oriented kids I've ever been associated with,' Hofffman said. "If you tell him he played a good game, he'll praise the offensive line. He doesn't need the praise. He's going to get it anyway on his talent."

"He's one of the most team oriented kids I've ever been associated with,' Hofffman said.
"If you tell him he played a good game, he'll praise the offensive line. He doesn't need the praise. He's going to get it anyway on his talent."

Resources
Bob Castello
Daily Commercial Staff Writer

Daily Commercial

August 28, 1992

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

Wildwood stings Leesburg, August 27, 1994

Corbin scores 2 touchdowns for Wildcat

By Brian McLaughlin
Daily Commercial Correspondent

Daily Commercial
August 27, 1994

LEESBURG - Wildwood scored four touchdowns, all of them plays of more than 55 yards, to defeat Leesburg 26-12 on Friday in one half of play in a Kickoff Classic

A Kickoff Classic is an exhibition game. Leesburg and Wildwood chose to let the junior varsity teams play the first half. The varsity followed in the second half.

Tailback Marcus Corbin led the way for the Wildcats, rushing for 128 yards on just five carries and scoring two of the touchdowns.

Leesburg moved the ball well, accumulating yardage but turning the ball over four times.

"Our offense had a lot of rust tonight," Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said. "It would have been nice to have won this one for momentum going into the season, but I was still proud of the way they always came back."

On the opposite end of the field, Wildwood Coach Gene Foster complimented his players efforts but was also quick to point out weaknesses.

"Our defense will have to learn to be more disciplined," Foster said. "We will have to work on getting in shape as a team also."

It didn't seem like the Wildcats were out of breath on their first two offensive possessions though, as solid down field blocking and alert running by Brian Haugabrook and Corbin put Wildwood ahead quickly 13-0.

Leesburg did not sit down at that point though. On a fourth down, the Jackets lined up in punt formation but quarterback Brian Hepburn took the snap and threw a 49-yard pass to Ken Thompson, who took it to the 10 yard line.

Leesburg only needed one play to punch it into the endzone, with tailback Bishon Roberts taking it in.

On the ensuing kickoff, Telly Brutton returned the ball 81 yards for a touchdown, putting the Wildcats up 19-6.

"Our backs did one heck of a job, but nothing would have happened without the offensive line's blocking tonight," Foster said.

In the first half of teh game, the Leesburg junior varsity defeated Wildwood 13-0 behind the rushing of Grover Gaddy. Gaddy finished with 53 yards on eight carries scoring one touchdown.

Resources

Brian McLaughlin
Daily Commercial Correspondent

Daily Commercial
August 27, 1994

Articles provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Monday, August 29, 2011

Former Jacket Trevathan named Permanent Game Captain for UK, August 26, 2011

UK Elects Permanent Game Captains

The Cats elected as expected two seniors as permanent captains for 2011.

Aug 26, 2011 5:23 PM by Alan Cutler

All-American linebacker Danny Trevathan and guard Stuart Hines will be joined by two additional game captains each week. Game captains are usually picked on the basis of their performance in the previous game.

There is an update on talented freshman wide out Daryl Collins who is out for the season and will have surgery next Thursday. He suffered a dislocated kneecap in his right knee. Collins, who was expected to help this year will redshirt this season.

"Daryl got hurt a couple of days ago and we were waiting for the evaluation to come back," says Joker.

When it comes to practice, Joker was pleased. It included some head-to-head work and going against the scout team.

"We had good work today. We got to work together and against each other on offense and defense and then we got going against our scouts and Western Kentucky. It was a good ‘Tuesday' (format) practice. We have two, Tuesday-type practices, one today and then one tomorrow. We have to use that time wisely to get ready for Western. The next day we will have a Wednesday practice and then two Thursday-type practices. Today was really good work for us and we expect it to be more crisp tomorrow working the same type of practice."

From the way Joker talks, the Cats are on pace to be ready for the opener September 1st against Western Kentucky.

Resources

Alan Cutler

Lex18.com

Aug 26, 2011 5:23 PM

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

Thursday, August 18, 2011

FORMER JACKET TREVATHAN MOTHER KNOWS BEST, AUGUST 17, 2011

Former Jacket Standout Danny Trevathan at the University of Kentucky

Aug 17, 2011 4:50 PM by Alan Cutler

Danny Trevathan might be the big man on campus, but he likes to use the word humble.

But, to get where he wants to go, the very fast 232 pound linebacker believes you have to have the right mindset.

"To be a great person overall, you have to say I'm the best at whatever I'm doing," says UK's linebacker.

Danny is an All-American two ways. That's both as a player and a person. Give a lot of the credit to his mother. Her advice has stayed with him and made him the man he is today.

"Like my ma told me before I came to college. She told me three things. Be humble. Keep God first and whatever you do be the best at. She told me that even if I had to pick up garbage, be the best at picking up garbage. That's what guided my life in college. It's still guiding me right now."

Danny who would a model or running track if wasn't a great football player, likes to remind himself about what his mother told him.

"It's on my wall in my room. I'm getting a 'tat'. I'm trying to make room on my back for it. I just live by that. I just appreciate it."

Danny calls his mother his best friend. He knows his mother has made him a better person.

"It goes hand in hand. Being a better person and being a better football player. Emotions is all through me. My mom did that since day one, put emotion in me. I'm living in it. I've learned how to hold back from showing it on the field."

Danny grew up with some tough times, but he never allowed it to either hold him back or make any excuses. His mind has guided his great body to perform at the highest level, thanks in part to his mother.

Resources
Alan Cutler
www.lex18.com
Aug 17, 2011 4:50 PM

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

LEESBURG AT ORLANDO JONES 2011 GAME PREVIEW

Leesburg will travel to Orlando to face Orlando Jones at the Florida Citrus in the 2011 Preseason Kickoff Classic

Game Preview: Kickoff Classic
Leesburg at Orlando Jones
Florida Citrus Bowl
August 26, 2011

By GERALD LACEY
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
August 16, 2011

LEESBURG - We are ten days away from the from the opening of the FHSAA 2011 High School football season. This season promises to be a special one for the Jacket Faithful. The Carver Heights Quarterback Club will be giving Leesburg fans a early preview of every game for this upcoming season. We will start by previewing the Yellow Jackets first opponent Orlando Jones High School.

This will be the first game that the Jackets will play at the Florida Citrus Bowl under second year Leesburg head coach Randy Trivers. The series dates back to the early 1970's. The Jacket defense will be the most physical one since the 1992 Regional Champs led by Ty Lawrence and hard hitting safety Marcus Niblack. Transfer Trey Perry gives the secondary it's most punishing tackler since the days when Niblack put fear opponents in the early 90's.

LEESBURG OLB NOOR DAVIS

OLB Noor Davis will live up to all the hype as the Leesburg faithful and Central Florida will get a look at him on the big stage for the first time in his storied career. Davis will return to the Citrus Bowl in January to play in the ESPN Under Armour All-American game. Davis transferred to Leesburg from The Villages and has made a verbal commitment to Stanford. Davis has been named to the 2011 Butkus Award High School watch list. He is the rated #17 in the nation by ESPN150 and has a solid shot at being named the USA Today player of the year. He will have to face a veteran Jones offensive line led by Duaron Williams in this early season matchup.

Davis is ranked as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the entire country, he's committing to play football for Stanford University and he's transferring to a larger school at Leesburg High to prepare himself for the next level.

SOPHOMORE QB LEE BENNETT

Sophomore QB Lee Bennett led the Jackets during the summer in 7 on 7 tournaments and appears to have a lock on the starting QB job in 2011. It will be the second year in a row that Trivers has started a sophomore at quarterback. Bennett is a dual threat and will make defenses respect his ability to use his legs to get out of trouble. He has many weapons to distribute the football too. Bennett shouldn't have any problem passing for at least 2,000 yards this season in
Trivers high powered offense.

LEESBURG WIDE RECEIVER D'MAURI JONES

Miami Signee D'Mauri Jones will give Leesburg it's most potent passing threat since QB Mike Napier and WR Greg Williams in 1969. Senior WR Julliard Roberts Jr will line up opposite of Jones will give Leesburg at most potent pass catching duo in Jacket football history. 2011 Under Armour All-American OLB Noor Davis 6"4", 225 lbs. will line up at the TE spot and will give Bennett a very large target to throw to in the middle of the field.

Anthony Miller and Jalen Dozier will share the ball carrying duties this season. Both will benefit from a more balanced offense this season and will have a lead blocker in the backfield this season. Look for Dozier and Miller to have a breakout seasons. Miller should become the first back to gain a 1,000 yards in a season in the Randy Trivers era at Leesburg.

Here are the other players to watch in this game for Leesburg:

Jalen Dozier - Sr., WR/RB (5-5/150); Anthony Miller - Jr., RB (5-9/190); Chase O'Donnell - Sr., LB (5-10/200); Juliard Roberts Jr. - Sr., WR (6-1, 185); Tre Perry - Sr., LB (6-1, 190); Emannuel Nelson - Sr., RB/WR (5-7/165) Austin Thomas - Sr., DL (5-10/225); Jordan Tucker - Jr., DE (6-2/200); Jeremy Jones - Jr., DB (5-11, 175).

Orlando Jones High School head coach Kenard Lang is in his 4th season with the the Tiger football program. Lang feels very blessed to have the opportunity to coach at a high profile school. He has embrace the community and the Tiger family since his arrival at Jones.

"You know I was just kind of trying to get my name out there a little bit, but trying to get a job that fits best for me and the community," Lang said. "Going to Jones, I think that's great."

ORLANDO L.C. JONES HIGH SCHOOL HEAD FOOTBALL COACH KENARD LANG

Lang, who took over a team that went 1-9 2007, played at Evans for current Edgewater Coach Bill Gierke and graduated in 1993. He spent 2006 coaching tight ends and helping with strength and conditioning at Edgewater. He starred at Evans High in the early-80s under current Edgewater coach Bill Gierke. He lettered in three sports at Evans, but it was football that got him a scholarship to the University of Miami.

Lang was a star for the Hurricanes, earning Big East rookie of the year honors in 1994, and then
All-Big East honors the two succeeding years before forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL draft. The Washington Redskins selected him 17th overall in the 1997 draft.

KENARD LANG

Lang was a defensive end for the University of Miami before He played for the Redskins until 2001, the Cleveland Browns from 2002-05 and the Denver Broncos in 2006.

This game has many ties to the University of Miami football program. With Lang being a former player and Jones WR Levonte "Kermit" Whitfield committed to the U in his sophomore season. Leesburgs' WR D'Mauri Jones a senior has made a verbal commitment to play at Miami in 2012.

Both schools have made a combined total of 17 playoff appearances. Jones has made 10 FHSAA Playoff appearances and Leesburg has made 7 playoff appearances. Leesburg will open the season looking to make its 5th State Championship game appearance in the schools storied history.

Noor Davis, D'Mauri Jones and Duaron Williams are all ranked in the top 15 in the Orlando Sentinel 2012 Super60.

Coach Lang has reloaded this season after losing 8 starters on defense from a 9-2 state playoff team a year ago, and got plenty of help through transfers. Defensive backs Myrtil Wilkenson and Jeremiah Ferguson come over from Agape Christian, Glenn Redding is transferring from Lake Wales, and Alex Gomez comes over from Ocoee. Kendrick Hair is a man with strength and speedy to wreak havoc all day.

ALEX GOMEZ FAR RIGHT

Alex Gomez plays a multitude of positions, including quarterback in "Wildcat" sets. What's most impressive about his skill level is that he's only a rising sophomore.

ORLANDO JONES WR LEVONTE WHITFIELD

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Whitfield, besides being the state 100-meter champion, plays a variety of positions for Lang on the Jones football team. He'll run back kickoffs and punts, as well as play receiver, some running back and safety. He is the Class 2A state champion in the 100-meter dash, anchored the Tigers’ nationally-ranked 4x100 relay to a state title, and was runner-up in the 200 to class of 2011 Clemson football signee Sammie Watkins of South Fort Myers. Whitfield has a best of 10.47 seconds in the 100, which ranks fourth best among sophomores nationally. His 200 best is 21.35, also fourth best among the nation's 10th graders.

The offensive and defensive lines are the strengths of this young Jones team. Duaron Williams leads the way for what they have dubbed the 'Fab Five' up front. Williams was named the top 2012 offensive lineman at the Schumann's regional Ultimate 100 National Underclassman Combine in Atlanta. Williams comes in as the No. 10-ranked prospect in the Sentinel's latest update of the 2012 Central Florida Super60 rankings. He had an outstanding week at "The Opening," last month, an event hosted at Nike headquarters in Oregon. He has national name recognition.

ORLANDO JONES OT DUARON WILLIAMS

Duaron Williams leads the Jones offensive line is one of the top linemen in the country, with 16 NCAA Division 1-A college scholarship offers .

"Every offer I get is a blessing and some guys are out there still struggling to find that first one," Williams said. "I'm very blessed to have that many offers. A good friend of mine (Tyree Holder, Tampa Catholic), when I was up to 12 offers, called me saying he had just gotten his first one and that meant a lot to me. At first I was thinking that I deserve a couple of good, big-time offers, but then there are those out there still fighting for their first few offers."

The offensive line is stacked. Watch Gomez, he can do a little bit of everything, even play QB. First-year QB Rhymes is working hard on securing that position and will fight Gomez for the job. Jones should compete at a high level and contend for a FHSAA playoff spot by seasons end.

Orlando Jones other top players are:
Duaron Williams - SR/OL (6-4, 294), Eljin Rucker - SR/OL (6-1, 235), Theo Luxcien - SR/OL-TE (6-2, 220), Joshua 'Bubba' Bembery - SR/OL (6-3, 320), Antone JacksonSR/OL (6-0, 230), Mike Miller - JR/DL (6-3, 255), Stanley Windom Jr. - JR/DL (6-0, 245), Kendrick Hair - SO/DE (6-5, 235), Myrtil Wilkenson - SR/DB (6-0, 180), Jeremiah Ferguson - SR/DB (5-10, 165), Glenn Redding - SR/RB-LB (5-8, 180), Alex Gomez - SO/ATH (6-1, 195), J'Quan Rhymes

School: Jones
Class-District: 4A-5
2010 Record: 9-2, lost first round of playoffs to Cocoa
Head Coach: Kenard Lang (4th season)
Jones Coaching Record: 21-12
Overall Coaching Record: 21-12

ORLANDO JONES FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY:

1983 CLASS 3A District Playoffs:
Jones (Orlando) 26, Vanguard (Ocala) 7
Regional Playoffs:
Pasco 29, Jones 13

1984
CLASS 3A District Playoffs:
Jones (Orlando) 27, North Marion (Citra) 21
Regional Playoffs:
Bartow 20, Jones 13

1988
CLASS 3A District Playoffs:
Hardee (Wauchula) 21, Jones (Orlando)

1990
CLASS 3A District Playoffs:
Jones (Orlando) 9, DeSoto County (Arcadia) 0;
Regional Playoffs: Cardinal Gibbons 24, Jones 20.

1993
CLASS 3A Semi-State First Round:
Jones (Orlando) 13, Eustis 7
Semi-State Second Round
Haines City 21, Jones 7

1995
CLASS 4A Regional First Round:
Jones (Orlando) 48, South Lake (Groveland) 8
Regional Quarterfinals: Santa Fe 37, Jones 28;

1996
CLASS 4A Regional First Round:
Eustis 40, Jones (Orlando) 12
Regional Quarterfinals:

1997
CLASS 4A Regional First Round:
Eastside (Gainesville) 23, Jones (Orlando) 20

2008
CLASS 2A Regional Semifinals: Bolles (Jacksonville) 70, Jones (Orlando) 6

2009
CLASS 2A Regional Semifinals: Cocoa 35, Jones (Orlando) 6

LEESBURG FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY

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 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;

Resources
Orlando Sentinel
Daily Commercial
Carver Heights Quarterback Club

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

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Countdown | Super60 update: No. 11 Noor Davis, LB, Leesburg, August 13, 2011

August 13, 2011|By By Chris Hays | Orlando Sentinel

Noor Davis has been a bit of a mystery to football fans in Florida, as well as across the nation, during this 2012 recruiting period.

Practically no one had him on the radar. Recruiting websites didn't know of him. Florida newspapers, with maybe the exception of the Villages Daily Sun, certainly were oblivious to him. At the Sentinel, Davis wasn't even on the Class of 2012 watch list for Central Florida players.

But when coaches like Will Muschamp, Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban give you personal phone calls, people start to figure out there might be something to this mystery man at the Villages Academy.

That was then.

Next thing you know, after everyone is finished getting acquainted with the new linebacker sensation, he's ranked as the No. 1 outside backer in the entire country, he's committing to play football for Stanford University and he's transferring to a larger school at Leesburg High to prepare himself for the next level.

What a whirlwind ride it's been for Davis since surfacing after all the smoke settled from February's 2011 National Signing Day. He became the next great thing. And most everyone anointing him with the top rankings and honors had never even seen him play live.

And just because he committed to Stanford, don't think the recruiting has ended.

"I still have a couple schools recruiting me very heavily like they did before (committing) and I respect that and I am very content with my decision," Davis said.

Davis and his family decided that he would transfer from the Villages to Leesburg so he could get a run at some large-school competition for his senior season. He would have likely played quarterback and linebacker for the Buffalo, but at Leesburg he'll just concentrate on the linebacker position, which he'll play in college.

"I knew a lot of the players," Davis said of the Leesburg teammates, "and it’s a system I can adapt to pretty quickly. It should be a very fun year playing against 7A teams."

While Davis knows he's coming in to solidify the linebacking corps at Leesburg, he also figures he'll help out where needed.

"If the coaches needed me to (play quarterback) I would," Davis said, "but right now we have two very good quarterbacks (senior Undra Mitchum and freshman Lee Bennett) and that puts me in a position where I can focus."

Davis said he plans to take all of his visits.

"My father encourages me to take some, but I'm not sure which ones yet," When I get that figured out I'll let coaches know … (Stanford coaches) encouraged it actually."

Chris Hays is the Sentinel's recruiting coverage coordinator and can be reached at chays@tribune.com.

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