Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football News: September 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Jackets Fall Short Of 4-0 Mark, September 29, 2011

Leesburg at Clermont East Ridge (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 23, 2011)

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 29, 2011

LEESBURG - The Jackets failed to go 4-0 for the third time in the last twelve years. The 1999 and 2001 teams were coached by Clermont East Ridge head coach Bud O'Hara and failed to reach the 4-0 mark. On September 18, 1999 O'Hars's Jackets faced his former team Belleview High School in a attempt to go 4-0. The Jackets were unsuccessful that night as the Rattlers beat the Jackets 42-7. In 2007 head coach Charles Nasser lead the Yellow Jackets to a 3-0 start. He lost his bid to go 4-0 against you guessed it O'Hara East Ridge squad 27-10.

The Jackets haven't went 4-0 since October 9, 1976, when they were led by Parade High School All-American Wayne Hamilton (three-time National Champion at the University of Alabama under the legendary Paul Bear Bryant. Hamiltion was later drafted by the San Diego Chargers of the NFL), and quarterback Clay Sampson (The only player in NCAA Division III history to pass for 3000 yards and rush for 3000 yards in a career at Dennison College OH).

The Jackets defeated Gainesville Eastside 57-7 to go 4-0. In that game Clay Sampson completed 8-for-16 passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Sampson 6 carries for 51 rushing yards. Sampson is the cousin of sophomore defensive Back Bryant Benton. The Jackets had 35 carries and 266 yards rushing in that game. Head Coach Max Wettstein's team had outscored its opponents 178 to 13 enroute to the 4-0 record.

Resources
Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
2001 Graduate of 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."

Article written 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 at St. Cloud Football Game Preview, 9-29-2011

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 29, 2011

LEESBURG - The Yellow Jackets travel to Osceola County to take on the Bulldogs of St. Cloud High School, St. Cloud, Florida tomorrow night. The Jackets will face St. Cloud for the first time since 1994, St. Cloud leads the series 5 games to 4. St. Cloud had won the last two games in the series.

The rivalry goes back as far as November 28, 1954 when they faced each other in the 1954 Elks Bowl, St. Cloud won that game 36-12. Four times this game has been the Jackets or the Bulldogs Homecoming Game. Both teams were once Orange Belt Conference and District opponents.

Two of the most memorable games of the rivalry was the 1981 and 1982 games. Bulldogs Running back/Kick Returner Brent Fullwood racked up almost 800 yards total offense in both games. In the 1981 game at Tom Gannarelli Field He had 3 touchdown runs of 72, 84 and 47 yards for 324 total rushing yards. The Bulldogs shutout Leesburg 33-0 in that contest.

Former St. Cloud #22 Brent Fullwood at Auburn University had big games in the St. Cloud vs. Leesburg series. A unanimous All-America and All-SEC selection in 1986, Brent Fullwood rushed for 1,391 yards on 167 carries and scored ten touchdowns as a senior. His senior-season total was first in the SEC and the second-best single season total in Auburn history. His 8.3 yards per carry average led the nation in 1986 and placed him sixth on the Heisman Trophy ballot. Also during his senior year, Fullwood received the Wally Butts Memorial Award given to the best offensive back in the Southeast. He ended his career with 2,789 yards, fourth on the Auburn all-time rushing list. He went on to a short NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns.

In the 1982 game at Leesburg Memorial Field, Fullwood scored five touchdowns. Three of those were off of kickoff returns, of 96, 89, 85 yards. He scored on a 71 yard run from scrimmage, had a 35 yard punt return, and kicked 3 P.A.T.S. Fullwood also had 16 carries for 131 yards rushing and one reception for 9 yards. Little did Jacket fans know that night that they were seeing greatness and a future NFL player. Fullwood went on to a great career at Auburn University and was drafted as the #4 pick in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft.

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), Henry Wright (North Alabama, University of Central Florida), to name a few.

#21 Brent Fullwood of the Green Packers shown here in game action against the Buffalo Bills. Fullwood played in the St. Cloud vs. Leesburg rivalry in the early 1980's he went on the become the #4 pick overall in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft.

There have been several notable St. Cloud players who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. St. Cloud players are Brian Hendren (Appalachian State), Greg Shepherd, Clarence Waiters to name a few.

Leesburg comes into to the game after last weeks disappointing 38-21 district lost to Clermont East Ridge in the Dungeon. The Jackets fell out of the Orlando Sentinel Super 16 Have poll this week but remain on the watchlist. St. Cloud is coming off of a big win against Osceola County rival Kissimmee Gateway 45-20 last week. This non-district matchup will take place at Tom Gannarelli Field on the campus of St. Cloud High School.

The Jackets hope to rebound from last weeks performance where they turned the football over 5 times and were called for 6 pass interference penalties. The Jackets went into the game 21-14 late in the fourth quarter before East Ridge scored the games final 24 points to pull out the win. This is the third week of a six week strecth where the Jackets play on the road five times.

St. Cloud's 2-2 record can be deceiving, they opened up on the road against Class 7A #2 ranked Lakeland Dreadnaughts at Lakeland’s 8,000-seat Bryant Stadium where nobody wins. They lost the opener 48-14 and lost several players to injury against a hard hitting Dreadnaughts team. Senior quarterback Phillip Steinmetz was hurt in that game causing him to sit out the Bulldogs next game against Rockledge. They were beaten by Rockledge 14-7 without Steinmetz (6'4" 200 pounds, St. Cloud, Fla./St. Cloud) and the rest of the team was banged up after the Lakeland game. Steinmetz the best major college quarterback prospect in Osceola County since Poinciana’s David Tabor a decade ago.

“We ran 62 plays, we threw 40 times, and he probably got hit at least 30 times,” First year St. Cloud Head Coach Mike Short said. “The thing about Phillip is that no matter how sore he is, even if he doesn’t throw one time all week in practice, he’ll be out there Friday night firing away because that’s Phillip, that’s how tough he is.

The Bulldogs have gotten Steinmetz back in the lineup and have won their last two games. They will have their spread offense test Leesburg often and early on defense. The Jackets are hoping to have OLB Noor Davis back for Friday's matchup. He has missed the last two games to injury, they will need him to help slow down Steinmetz and the Bulldogs spread offense. Brett Biller, Jordan Reus, Louis Page, Pat McCloskey and Cole Harvey all took turns making plays for Steinmetz at wide receiver. Reus might be the best one of the bunch. But don’t tell Harvey, Biller or Jandrew (Harmony transfer) that.

“Offensively we’ll stay with what we’ve done. This program’s stepped up by leaps and bounds with the spread formation,” Short said.

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

Phillip Steinmetz clowns around during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

As a junior Steinmetz had 1,877 yards passing and 16 touchdowns. He also added 777 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Steinmetz is No. 39 on the Sentinel’s Central Florida Super60 list. He can make most of the throws asked of him and Steinmetz has improved his accuracy since last year. He prefers running rather being a traditional drop back passer. The Jackets will try to get to him early and put some pads on him to rattle him.

“I hate dropping back,” Steinmetz said during the third annual Sentinel Varsity Football Media Day. “I love being able to roll out. I am able to avoid taking hits a lot better. I feel like it opens things up more. If nobody is open, I am capable of lowering my shoulder and picking up a few extra yards.”

Steinmetz, the 2010 Osceola News-Gazette Offensive Player of the Year said he’s been playing quarterback for only three years, since the eighth grade, when a spot opened up on his youth league team. His older brother, Richard, was a defensive lineman for the Bulldogs. His younger brother, Brian, is a freshman who threw his first varsity TD pass against Gateway in the season finale.

“I played everything, but when quarterback opened I seemed to do pretty well, so I stayed there,” he said.

On offense the Bulldogs have a solid running game with junior running back Eric Pfeifer. Pfeifer had 250 yards rushing and four touchdowns last week in a win against Agape Christian. Steinmetz completed 14 of 20 passes for 170 yards and two TDs in the win.

Mike Short and Randy Trivers share the same philosophy on scheduling tough opponents. The Bulldogs, 2-2, got a taste of playoff-caliber football the first week of the season at Lakeland where hardly anyone wins, they dropped a 48-14 decision to the No. 5-ranked Class 7A Dreadnaughts.

“We needed a chance to go and see what we can do against the big boys,” Short said.

Head Coach Mike Short

St. Cloud head coach Mike Short, 36, played four years of varsity football as a linebacker and running back at Muncie (Ind.) South High School, graduating in 1993 before moving on to Ball State University in Muncie, where he played as a walk-on for one year.

After graduating from BSU in 2000 with an education degree, Short visited family and friends frequently in Florida and chose to stay.

He taught at Denn John Middle School before becoming a football assistant, head freshman coach and varsity wrestling coach at Gateway in 2001. After four years, he left Florida to become offensive coordinator at Southern Lee Williams High in Sanford, N.C. for three seasons.

He returned to St. Cloud coached under Mark Jackson in 2009 and Bud Buldini in 2010.

“This is what I’ve aspired to for 15 years." said Short on him being hired as head coach in 2011 at St. Cloud. "I’ve got a plan, and we’ve got a great program.”

Look for Leesburg to try to get back on track on defense this week. The Jackets had a problem stopping the run last week and look to change that this week. They will try to put pressure on Steinmetz early. St. Cloud's offensive line is inexperienced as a whole.

“They’re young, they’re hard-headed, they don’t like criticism or anything like that, but the more we talk to them, the more that they (understand) they are the key to this offense, they’re starting to loosen up, learn and take down what they need to do,” Steinmetz said on young offensive line. “I've just got to learn that they’re younger than I am. They’re more of the team than I am. I just have to put things behind me, if I screw up, I screw up.”

St. Cloud at Lakeland

Only Alex Southall returns from last year's group. Harmony transfer Hans Schroeder move into the starting lineup at center. He is tough and will play the majority of the snaps on both sides of the ball.

“He probably was on the field for 100 snaps at center and nose guard, and that’s not against some little team, that’s against Lakeland,” he said Short on Schroeder durability.

The Bulldogs other weakness is in their defensive line, Leesburg will try to established the run early against this line. Last week the Jackets rushed for under 40 yards after averaging over 250 yards per game in the first three contests of the 2011 season. Look for a large dose of senior running back Emmanuel Nelson and junior running back Anthony Miller this week in St. Cloud. The Jackets want to go to play action passing and will only be able to do that if Nelson and Miller get on track early.

The Bulldogs are very sound on special teams and have a big play return man in Pfeifer.

“We spend a lot of time on special teams, because I believe that is a solid third of the game,” Short said.

St. Cloud wide receiver Cole Harvery

The Jackets special teams is clicking on all cylinders with Austin Walker punting keeping opponents in bad field position. Sophomore PK James Eldridge has been playing well all season and has a strong leg.

2012 University of Miami (FL) commit D'Mauri Jones is back in the lineup and will give Trivers another option in the passing game. This will be the first time this season when Trivers will have a healthy Jones, Juilliard Roberts and Jalen Dozier at the same time on the field for a whole game. The Jackets will look for mismatches in the passing game to exploit. Trivers says he will take whatever the defense gives him coming into any game.

"If we have to throw it 30 times than that's what we will do," said Trivers on the Jackets weekly game plan. "If we have to throw it 3 times than thats what we will do."

School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida

Class-District: 7A-5

2011 Record: 3 -1, (0 -1)

Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 9-5
Overall Coaching Record: 82-32

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: 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

School: Saint Cloud

Class-District: 7A-6

2011 Record: 2-2

Head Coach: Michael Short (1st season)

Saint Cloud Coaching Record: 2-2

Overall Coaching Record: 2-2

NCAA FBS Prospects: Phillip Steinmetz - SR/QB (6-5, 205).

Other top players: Cole Harvey - Sr., WR (6-3, 185), Brett Biller - Sr., WR (5-8, 175), Austyn Jandrew - Sr., WR (5-11, 155), Jeff Spelman - SR/LB (6-0, 180), Patrick McCloskey - Sr., TE-OLB (6-2, 220), Anthony Ellis Sr., DB (5-10, 160), Hans Schroeder - Jr., OL (5-11, 190), Alex Southall - Jr., OL (6-2, 270), Jordan Reus - Jr., WR (6-0, 160), Austin Ocasio - Jr., OLB (6-2, 225), Eric Pfeifer - Jr., RB (5-8, 175), E.J. McKenzie JR/WR (6-2, 200)

( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / September 23, 2011 )

Leesburg's D'Mauri Jones and Braxton Bennet take a break while the defense plays during second quarter action of a high school football game against East Ridge in Clermont, Fla. on Friday, September 23, 2011.

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

SAINT CLOUD HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY

1974 CLASS 2A District Playoffs: Citrus (Inverness) 7, St. Cloud 6

1977 CLASS 2A District Playoffs: Fort Meade 35, St. Cloud 0

1978 CLASS 2A District Playoffs: Mulberry 30, St. Cloud 0

1980 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: St. Cloud 20, Tarpon Springs 8

1980 CLASS 3A Regional Playoffs: Gainesville 41, St. Cloud 7

1989 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: Avon Park 27, St. Cloud 22

1992 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: Pasco (Dade City) 33, St. Cloud 13

1994 CLASS 5A Semi-State First Round: Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 48, St. Cloud 6

1999 CLASS 5A Regional Quarterfinals:Mainland (Daytona Beach) 44, St. Cloud 17

2008 CLASS 3A Regional Quarterfinals: Gulf (New Port Richey) 49, St. Cloud 35

2009 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals:Lake Gibson (Lakeland) 42, St. Cloud 12

FHSAA Finals Record 0-0

FHSAA Tournament Record 1-10

Resources

Photos by:

Stephen Dowell
Joshua C. Cruey
Orlando Sentinel

Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
2001 Graduate of 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 2011

Article written by:

Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

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.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Leesburg suffers without All-America Davis In Lineup, September 28, 2011

Under Armour All-American OLB Noor Davis at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 28, 2011

LEESBURG - Noor Davis sat out his second consecutive game last Friday night against Clermont East Ridge the Jackets first loss of the season. The Under Armour All-American OLB Davis who also plays TE on offense in double Tight End sets is probable for Friday's non-district game St. Cloud.

The Yellow Jackets ground game suffered without his blocking from his TE position . On defense he is such a dominant force that the opposing teams normally devise double and triple team blocking schemes to keep away from the football. This frees up his other teammates and allow them to make big plays.

Despite being double and triple teamed in the two ballgames he played Davis has 19 tackles five for loss. What is impressive is that he's sat out most of the second half in the games he played because of large leads in the games by Leesburg. Without him in the lineup the Jackets defense had to put more players closer to the line of scrimmage against East Ridge, in order to get more pressure on QB Joeworn Martin. Martin is the first quarterback to pass for more than a 100 yards against the Jackets defense in 2011.

The defense gave out of gas in the second half with a number of players banged up. He is the most dominant defensive player for Leesburg since Parade High School All-Americans Greg Johnson and Wayne Hamilton. If Leesburg wants to secure a spot in the FHSAA playoffs they will have to have Davis on the field healthy.

Resources

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 28, 2011

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Jackets Offense Productive In The I Formation, September 28, 2011

( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / September 23, 2011 )

Leesburg's Manny Nelson runs the ball for yardage during second quarter action of a high school football game against East Ridge in Clermont, Fla. on Friday, September 23, 2011.

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 28, 2011

LEESBURG - Leesburg Head Coach Randy Trivers high octane offense was ran out of the Spread Formation last year. The offense averaged 34.8 points per game last year and produce the best the passing numbers in 41 years. This year Trivers has installed the I Formation into his offense. Despite Yellow Jackets going to the ground game more than last season the offense is averaging 29.2 points a game. Trivers believes his offense in being able to adapt to what the defense is showing him week to week. He has built his offense around the players that he has.

"I think you always want to be able to utilize the talent you have and the weaponry you have," said Trivers in a recent pregame interview. "I've always been a believer of having the ability to be multiple offensively."

"I think what we are doing with the people that we have is giving us a opportunity to utilize all our players in a effective way and in a effective manner."

A diagram of a basic I Formation that Leesburg Head Coach Randy Trivers has installed into the Jackets offense. After 4 games the Jackets are averaging 29.8 points a game.

What is the I formation? This is one of the most common formations used at all levels of football. Tom Nugent, the football coach at Virginia Military Institute, had a new idea. Instead of having halfbacks on each side of the fullback, he thought it made more sense to line up the halfbacks behind the fullback. With the offensive backfield in a straight line, they looked more like an 'I' than a 'T', and a new formation was named.

In the I formation, the tailback starts six to eight yards behind the scrimmage from an upright position, where he can survey the defense. The formation gives the tailback more opportunities for finding weak points in the defense to run into.

After five years at VMI, Nugent brought the I to Florida State in 1954, and it began to spread, most notably to John McKay, who used the formation to win the national championship at USC in 1962. Before long, NFL teams took notice, and the I became the most common set in pro football.

( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / September 23, 2011 )

Leesburg's Jalen Dozier runs the ball for yardage during second quarter action of a high school football game against East Ridge in Clermont, Fla. on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Coaches who frequently run the I-formation often extol its virtues with statements like, "We just want to line up and come right at 'em." But there's nothing inherently tougher about the I than there is about any other formation. What set the I apart from the T and many of the other formations of the early days of football is that it lent itself to a versatile offensive attack. That versatility is still valuable in the modern game.

Trivers is known for his offensive innovation, going deep into his 1000 play playbook to set up mismatches in opposing defenses. He uses different packages within the I using 2, 3 and 4 wide receiver sets. Sometimes the Jackets will go with a jumbo package with double tight end sets using Under Armour All-American Noor Davis and Jordan Tucker as the tight ends. They will also use triple wide receivers on the left or right of the formation leaving one wide receiver split out wide on the opposite side of the 3 wide receivers.

"We also like to attack to be able to take advantage of what a defense gives us," Trivers said. "We are able to find weakness and some of that is through different ways in the passing game."

The running threat posed by the formation also lends itself to the play-action pass. The flexible nature of the formation also helps prevent defenses from focusing their attention on either the run or pass.

"There are just different things that with what we are doing offensively, that allow us a little more flexibility and versatility with our talent." So as long as we are moving the ball and scoring points that's the most important thing."

#27 Junior I Back Anthony Miller carries the ball against Clermont East Ridge. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 23, 2011)

Using the I formation has allowed Leesburg to establish the run early in the season. It has opened up the play action passing game. Last years offense threw the ball over 80% of the time. This year they have ran the football more, in the Mount Dora game the Jackets only attempted one pass in the second half. The I Formation has produced some great rushing numbers and a 3-1 record this season. Senior I Back Emmanuel Nelson went into the Clermont East Ridge game with 3 straight 100 yard games averaging 7.7 yards per carry.

Despite the emphasis on the running game, the I formation remains an effective base for a passing attack. The formation supports up to three wide receivers and many running backs serve as an additional receiving threat. Trivers opened up the offense on Friday night attempting 28 passes. The Jackets had only 25 pass attempts in the first three games of the 2011 season.

"If we have to throw it 30 times than that's what we will do," said Trivers on the Jackets weekly game plan. "If we have to throw it 3 times than thats what we will do."

Leesburg Head Coach Randy Trivers gives instructions to his team during the Leesburg at Mount Dora Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 16, 2011)

The fullback typically fills a blocking, rather than rushing or receiving, role in the modern game. With the fullback in the backfield as a blocker, runs can be made to either side of the line with his additional blocking support. While the fullback is rarely a pass receiver, he serves as a capable additional pass blocker protecting the quarterback before the pass.

Senior fullback Flint Hicks has done a outstanding job in the blocking department. His blocking skills have made the run game go, he has been slowed by injuries but his impact on the running game has not gone unnoticed. The fullback can also be used as a feint—since the defense can spot him more easily than the running back, they may be drawn in his direction while the running back takes the ball the opposite way.

Whether it is the ground game or the passing game the Jackets have been productive on offense during Trivers tenure. With D'Mauri Jones healthy look for the Yellow Jackets scoring average to increase. Jones gives Leesburg the big threat that they have missed all year long.

Give Trivers credit for bringing outside linebackers Noor Davis and Jordan Tucker to the offensive side of the football. Davis and Tucker are a part of the Jackets jumbo package in the I formation and single back sets. With Davis missing Friday night the offense didn't have the big tight end to get the ball down the middle of the field in passing situations.

The Jackets will continue to go to the run game as the season progresses. If Leesburg stays is healthy the run game will be vital to any hopes of postseason play in 2011.

"I think on any level regardless of the style of offense you have to be able to run the ball effectively to win consistently," said Trivers on the team success on the ground. "I'm a believer in that so we been able to do a little bit of that thus far."

Resources

Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
2001 Graduate of Leesburg High School

Article written by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Former Jacket Jonathan Cannon relieved as Eustis Coach, September 28, 2011

Former Eustis High School football coach Jonathan Cannon questions a referee's call during the Eustis-Lake Minneola football game on Friday, Sept. 1, 2011, at Eustis High.

Jonathan Cannon relieved as Panthers coach

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

FRANK JOLLEY | Staff Writer

frankjolley@dailycommercial.com

When the Eustis High School football team hosts South Lake on Friday night, it will do so with an interim head coach.

Jonathan Cannon, who led the Panthers to a 1-3 mark this season, and Eustis Principal Al Larry agreed to part ways after Friday's 39-8 home loss against Orlando Lake Nona.

The change was effective immediately, and Eustis' boys basketball coach and former Belleview football coach Mike Bowe will act as the team's interim coach for the remainder of the season.

"I spoke with school administration after Friday's game and we decided it would be best if the Eustis football program goes in a different direction," Cannon said. "I didn't quit on the football team or the program. It was a mutual decision and we felt it was to do it right now, rather than wait until the end of the season.

"Basically, I wasn't able to get it done."

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Gerald Lacey One On One With Juilliard Roberts, Jr. September 27, 2011

#2 Senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. leaps high to bring down a catch against Clermont East Ridge. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 23, 2011)

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

September 27, 2011

LEESBURG - Senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. is one of Leesburg High School's two sport athletes. As a junior he help lead the Yellow Jackets to their first state basketball title in 34 years. He is one of the hand full of players on the football team that has a state championship ring.

Roberts is a pure athlete who has excelled in football and basketball. He has stepped up his game in the absence of University of Miami commit wide receiver D'Mauri Jones, also his teammate on the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship team. Roberts has big play ability in Randy Trivers explosive offense. He has 10 catches for 179 yards this season. He is averaging 17.9 yards per catch and has the ability to out leap defenders to catch the football. Roberts has rushed for 45 yards on 3 carries in 2011 averaging 15 yards per carry. When Roberts gets the football in his hands good things happen for the Jackets. He has great field vision and follows his blocks with precision.

Juilliard Roberts, Jr. after winning the 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship.

He is cool under pressure as evidenced in the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Semifinal game against Tampa Blake. With Final Four MVP Joe Toolie feeling under the weather and the rest of the Jacket squad rattled early. Roberts entered the game with lots of energy and poise, he ignited the rest of the team. Leesburg ended up beating the state #1 ranked class 4A team by 16 points. His vertical leap allows him to go up high for the football and he has made some spectacular catches this season. He is one of the reasons why Leesburg is favored to repeat as state champions in basketball this season. He is no longer under the football recruiting radar. With D'Mauri Jones back in the Jacket lineup Roberts will no longer see as much double coverage as he had in the first three games of the season.

Roberts comes from a family of champions, from both his mother and father side of the family. His father Juilliard Roberts, Sr. help lead the Jackets to their last playoff win in 1992. He played along side Leesburg legend Oran Singleton and was a part of the 1992 Regional Championship team. Roberts grandfather is a retired employee of the Lake County School System George Nilblack. His Grandfather George is the first cousin of Leesburg all time leading wide receiver Greg Williams. Championships are in his DNA below is a short list of some of his family who have won championships or went to college on athletic scholarship at Leesburg High School.

Here is a short list of Roberts family members who have won championships at Leesburg:

Juilliard Roberts, Sr. 1992 Class 4A Football Regional Champion

Mecee Roberts 1991 Class 4A Softball State Semifinalist.

Gilbert Nilblack 2007 Class 5A Football District Champion.

Greg Williams 1969 Class A Football State Runnerup. Leesburg High School all time leading wide receiver. 1969 All State Football and Basketball. Southern University

Haywood "Ironman" Richardson 1971 Class A Football District Champion

Khalil Tucker Football South Carolina State University

Wayne Taylor 2000 Class 5A Boys Basketball District Champion, Regional Semifinalist

Dominic Taylor 2002 Class 5A Boys Basketball State Semifinalist

Alonte Richardson Bethune Cookman University Track

Keturah Roberts Lady Jackets Basketball District Champion Too name a few.

Juillard Roberts, Jr. takes a moment to reflect during the 2011Class 4A Boys Basketball State Final against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.

Here is an exclusive interview with

2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Champion and Varsity Football Wide Receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr.

Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:

Gerald Lacey One On One With Juilliard Roberts:

Gerald Lacey:

You play like a champion every time you step on the football field or the basketball court. What motivates you to perform at such a high level?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr.

The things that motivate me to perform at such a high level is I just love the game. I want to go places and I know I have the talent, I just don't want to be that person 10 years from now in Leesburg watching kids play talking bout what I did I want to show them NOW what I can do.

Gerald Lacey:
How does it feel to be called state champion?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr.

It feels very good to be called a state champion that just lets me know that my name is imprinted in Leesburg basketball history.

#2 Senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. talks with his teammates on the sideline during the Mount Dora Game. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 16, 2011.)

Gerald Lacey:

You seemed to play your best in pressure situations. At the 2011 Class 4A Basketball State Semifinal game against Tampa Blake, you played with a lot of poise. Your team was down 6-0 early in the first quarter against a Blake team that had been ranked #! in the state all season long. You guys were the underdogs and starting PG Joe Toolie was ill, you entered the game at that point and led a Leesburg comeback. Were you nervous when you came into the contest?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
In the semi-final basketball game I was very nervous. I just wanted to win because in my mind losing isn't an option.

Gerald Lacey:

With your athletic ability you head coach Randy Trivers another lethal offensive weapon. You have showed that you have the ability to score and make big plays from all over the field. What were your goals coming into the 2011 season?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

My goals coming into the 2011 football season is to play the best football I have ever played. This is my senior year and that means I don't have anymore chances to show what me and the other seniors can do. So my plans was to bring my "A" game every game and to conclude my senior year with an STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Juilliard Roberts, Jr. dribbles the ball in the open court against Tampa Blake in the 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Semifinal game.

Gerald Lacey:

Who are some of the schools who have been contacting you about playing for them next year?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr.

I'm not really allowed to talk about what schools are looking at me right now.

Gerald Lacey:

Leesburg has not won a football playoff game since 1992 against Land O' Lakes. Your Dad Juilliard Roberts, Sr. played on that regional championship team. You helped end a 34 year state championship drought in basketball. Do you and your teammates understand that you have a chance to place your name in Leesburg sports history by ending a 19 year playoff win drought?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

Me and my team do understand that we can end a 19 year drought and we practice like it everyday. We work hard on being the best conditioned team and the best at executing plays.

Gerald Lacey:

You started out the year 3-0 does your fast start surprise you and your teammates?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

Beginning the season 3-0 hasn't surprised me and my teammates at all because this is what we've been preparing all summer for but we gotta stay humble and keep getting better.

Gerald Lacey:

With so many big time recruits around you and the media attention it brings. Do you have any problems with staying focus in this type of environment?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

I don't have any problems staying focused with all the media attention I really don't worry about it I just try to get better everyday and try to help my team and coaches win the best way I can.

Gerald Lacey:

You play for coach Randy Trivers a champion himself. How has his system had a impact on you and your game mentally and physically?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

Coach Trivers system has had a big impact on me mentally and physically. I haven't learned this much about football ever. He has really expand my knowledge about football on all types of different angles. He also has made me and my team one of the best conditioned teams in the state hands down.

Gerald Lacey:
On the upcoming basketball season you guys return 4 starters from a team that won it all last year. What will you guys have to do different this year in order for you to repeat as champions?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

In the upcoming basketball season we will have to stay humble and put in a lot of work to repeat what we did last year. If we all keep our head right and stay together no doubt Leesburg will be state champions again.

Gerald Lacey:

Which sport will you play in college?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

In college I would like to play football.

Gerald Lacey:

You play basketball for coach Marcel Thomas a young energetic coach who will continue to do great things. How has it been playing for him?

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

Playing for coach Thomas has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. He is a great coach. Coach Thomas is the type of guy that will be there for you through whatever and treats all of his players the same no matter what. I'm very appreciative to have him as a coach.

Gerald Lacey:

Well thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me. I look forward to seeing you do more big things at Leesburg High School and in college I pray that you prosper in every thing you do Juilliard. Always remember do it the Yellow Jacket way "GO HARD"

Juilliard Roberts, Jr:

Thank You Mr. Lacey, I will.

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com