Jackets Cling To Playoff Hopes, October 31, 2011

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 28, 2011)

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

October 31, 2011

LEESBURG - The Jackets completed their first year of FHSAA Class 7A football competition with 3-2 record against Class 7A teams. Class 7A is the highest classification that any Leesburg High School football team has ever competed in. Both of the Jackets losses came on the road against teams ranked in the Orlando Sentinel Super 16 High School Football Poll. Leesburg playoff hopes rest in the hands of a team they beat Friday Night in Groveland South Lake High School.

Here's the playoff scenario in the FHSAA Class 7A District 4 race. Orlando Maynard Evans clinched the district championship with a 20 to 10 victory over Leesburg earlier this season. Clermont East Ridge can clinch the district runner up spot and a trip to the playoffs with a win over Groveland South Lake Friday night. The Knights are 2-1 in District 4 play this season. If East Ridge wins it would eliminate Leesburg and South Lake from playoff consideration.

If South Lake beats East Ridge it would force a three way tie for the district runner-up spot. Leesburg, South Lake and East Ridge would all have identical 2-2 district records with a East Ridge loss Friday night in Groveland. They would than all meet at Leesburg Memorial Stadium at Hubert O. Dabney on November 7, 2011.

Leesburg would be the number one seed with only two losses overall and at worst they could do is finish with 3 losses. East Ridge and South Lake seeding will be determined at the end of schools regular season a week after Leesburg's regular season is complete. Seeding for a potential tiebreaker will be based on overall win-loss percentage. The three schools shall play one entire 12-minute quarter against their bracketed opponent(s) in each District Tiebreaker.

Leesburg second year head coach Randy Trivers knew going into the game against South Lake that his team still had a mathematical chance to get into the playoffs and relayed that mindset to his team before playing South Lake.

South Lake at Leesburg (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 28, 2011)

"We just need to come out and play the game," Trivers said moments before the South Lake game. "I mean for us to have the opportunity to be a playoff team we have to go out and win this football game step one."

South Lake had a chance to set up a winner take all game for the district runner-up spot with a win over the Jackets. 2012 University of Miami Commit D'Mauri Jones 4 touchdowns receptions help lead Leesburg over South Lake and put the district runner up spot up for grabs. The Jackets took care of business Friday night and now they just have to get ready for Lake Weir and wait for the East Ridge vs South Lake outcome.

"So we can't worry about anything else down the road, so next week or who might beat who we gotta go out and win a game," said Trivers before the game last Friday. "Really for our kids we talk about staying in the moment and how important it is to deal with today and the things that we can control now we call THE NOW".

South Lake at Leesburg (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 28, 2011)

"I mean our seniors football players are guaranteed no more than two football games this being one of them (Groveland South Lake)," said Trivers during his pregame show before the South Lake game. "So there is a sense of urgency."

Trivers had his team up for the South Lake game as they jumped out to a early 18-0 lead in the first half. After last weeks emotional loss to Evans, Trivers did arguably his best coaching job to this date by getting his team focused on South Lake. His team had just face two of the nations best teams on the road.

South Lake at Leesburg (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 28, 2011)

"The best thing is to get back out and see if we can get back on the winning track," said Trivers on the Evans loss.

The Jackets have their sights set on Class 6A Ocala Lake Weir 2-6 (1-3) and realize that they can finish the season 8-2, not bad for a team that loss 37 seniors from last season. It will be senior night this Friday night and the seniors would love to have one more shot at the playoffs but they know how important is for them to beat Lake Weir.

District Standings: Orlando Maynard Evans 7-1 (3-0), Clermont East Ridge 5-3 (2-1), Leesburg 7-2 (2-2), Groveland South Lake 4-4 (1-2), Lake Minneola 1-7 (0-3).

Leesburg District and District Runner-up Tiebreaker History

On November 22, 1988 the whole thing took less than six minutes.


In less than six minutes, the Leesburg Yellow Jackets saw their hopes of a District Championship turn into the bitter reality that their season had come to an end.


Leesburg lost to Sanford Seminole 6-3 in the first matchup of the Kansas Tiebreaker at John Courier Field at Oviedo High School, Oviedo, Florida. The tiebreaker was used to break a three-way Class 4A-District 7 tie between Leesburg, Sanford Seminole and Orlando Edgewater.


"There ain't much I can say," said an irate Leesburg Coach Richard Kennedy. "I'm very disappointed. We got beat. I'm sorry." "We kicked a field goal, they got a touchdown. They got more points than us. That means they won," Kennedy said angrily.





In 1990 Leesburg coached by Ken Weir lost to Sanford Seminole 7-0 at Double E Stadium on the campus of Orlando Evans High School, Orlando Florida. Leesburg's dream of a fantastic finish to its football season never materialized in the Kansas tiebreaker playoff to determine the Class AAAA, District 7 championship.

''We were just outmanned,'' Leesburg coach Ken Weir said. ''Seminole had a good game plan and was able to follow it.''


''We certainly had as good of a chance as anyone here,'' Weir said. ''We just couldn't get to use the plays we wanted.''

''We were trying to set up the option by giving the ball to Bryant on first down,'' Weir said. ''Second down was supposed to be a pitch to (tailback) Oran (Singleton) but (quarterback) Steve (Gooden) just misread the play.''

In 1991 Orlando Edgewater's Gerod Davis scored both times he touched the ball against Leesburg lifting Edgewater to a 13-10, victory in the Kansas tiebreaker for its first district title since 1978. It was the second consecutive season that Edgewater, Leesburg and Seminole used a tiebreaker to decide the Class 4A District 7 Championship. The tiebreaker was played at Bryd Whigham Stadium, Sanford Seminole High School, in Sanford, Florida. The Jackets lost in the championship round of a three-way tiebreaker to determine the Class AAAA, District 7 champion.

"We couldn't stop them," Leesburg Coach Ken Weir said. "Hell if you can't stop them you can't win. They fired off the ball on offense, Seminole has a great defense, and (Edgewater) knocked them off the ball."

"(Edgewater) played first, and their legs were loose," said Marcus Niblack a senior safety." "We were cold. You can only loosen up so much. I wish we were playing right now."


"I know it's tough on the seniors," Oran Singleton said. "But now we know what we've got to do next year to come back and win it. We're 8-2--that's not bad. Hopefully next year we can go 10-0"


"They (the Eagles) were already ready to play football," Leesburg lineman Troy McNish said. "It was too short for me. It's like Coach says toss a coin and whoever gets lucky".

2011-12 FHSAA Football District Tiebreakers Rules

District Tiebreaker Schedule Monday November 7, 2011

The following is a listing of all district tiebreakers in the 2011 FHSAA Football Championships.
Rules of Competition are:

• Seeding is based on overall win-loss percentage. The higher-seeded team in each 12-minute quarter shall wear dark jerseys.  Teams must bring both light and dark jerseys.
• Participating schools shall play one entire 12-minute quarter against their bracketed opponent(s) in each District Tiebreaker.
• Each participating team is allotted two timeouts per quarter.
• If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the NFHS overtime procedure shall be used to determine a winner (the 10-yard line overtime tiebreaker plan).
• If three schools are participating in a District Tiebreaker, the No. 1 seed receives a first-round bye and will play the winner of the quarter between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. If the No. 1 seed defeats the winner of seeds No. 2 vs. No. 3, then the No. 1 seed will advance as the district champion and the school it defeated will advance as the district runner-up. If the No. 1 seed loses to the winner of seeds No. 2 and No. 3, then the school that defeated the No. 1 seed will advance as the district champion, and the No. 1 seed must then play the loser of seeds No. 2 vs. No. 3 to determine the district runner-up.
• If the District Tiebreaker is being played to determine a district runner-up, then the winner of the second 12-minute quarter advances as the district runner-up.
• The warm-up period between quarters should not exceed 20 minutes.
• Teams are allowed a maximum of 60 players in uniform.
• No marching bands are allowed.

All contests will take place on Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. local time. The No. 1 seed is the host school. 

Resources

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

Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. In the begining as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.

"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories."

Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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.

Jones 4 TDs Receptions lead Leesburg over South Lake, October 29, 2011

#15 D'Mauri Jones and #2 Juilliard Roberts look to sideline for the next play in Friday nights game against Groveland South Lake High School. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

Jackets Cling Onto Playoff Hopes With 30-27 Win Over Eagles

By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
October 29, 2011

LEESBURG - Randy Trivers and his Fightin' Yellow Jackets of Leesburg High School returned home to Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium Friday night after being on the road five times in the last six weeks. The Jackets needed a win over its Class 7A District 4 rival Groveland South Lake High School to remain alive mathematically for the 2011 FHSAA Class 7A Football Playoffs. The Jackets 7-2 (2-2) scored the go ahead touchdown with a 2:54 left in the game to defeat a strong and talented Eagles squad 30 to 27 last night in Leesburg.

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

"I think it's good healthy competition,  you have some guys running some good programs and doing a good job," said Randy Trivers just before kickoff. "Coach (Walter) Banks is one of them, it's just good to be able to compete against well prepared football teams." 

"I think that's a part of the spirit of competition. Its nice to be year in and year out to be able to play against people that your kids and your coaches are going to be challenged by," said Trivers. "Both athletically, mentally and emotionally all of those things that's what life in football is all about. So its nice to be able to compete against guys like coach Banks and some of the other guys that are around the county and around the surrounding area."

Jackets enter Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium Friday night for a Class 7A District 4 game against Groveland South Lake. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

Leesburg alumni and fans will now have to become cheerleaders for South Lake this week when they face their biggest rival Clermont East Ridge. If South Lake beats East Ridge that will force a three way tie for the district runner-up spot. The tiebreaker would be played on Monday November 7, 2011 at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium with the winner advancing to the FHSAA Class 7A Football Playoffs. Orlando Maynard Evans clinched the district championship last week against Leesburg.

The Jackets were coming off of a emotional and controversial 20 to 10 loss to Evans last week. Leesburg got a big time performance out of 2012 University of Miami Commit (FL) (Sr., 6-5, 190) D'Mauri Jones in this crucial district contest. Jones hauled in 10 passes for 162 yards and 4 touchdowns in his biggest game of the season for him. South Lake had no answer for him all night as he used his superior speed and size to lead the Jackets offensive output. Leesburg had 468 yards of total offense in the close win over the Eagles.

#2 senior WR Juilliard Roberts looks for a block being set up by #15 senior WR D'Mauri Jones against South Lake High School (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 28, 2011)

"I feel great now I felt like I went to battle last night," said D'Mauri Jones after the game. "I know I have high expectations for myself and the rest of the receiver unit out there that we can't be stopped and if the ball hit our hands we have to snatch it and go."

South Lake failed to move the football after receiving the opening kickoff and Leesburg took over on its own 25 yard line. Senior running back Emmanuel Nelson started things off with a eight yard carry on first and 10. Three plays later junior quarterback Undra Mitchem, Jr. (Jr., 6-1, 200) hit Jones with a 15 yard pass down to the South Lake 42 yard line. On the next play senior FB Flint Hicks bulled his way up the middle for a nine yard carry down to the Eagles 33 yard line. On the next play senior RB/WR/KR Jalen Dozier (Sr., 5-5, 150) caught a screen pass and sprinted down to the Eagles 10 yard line but a holding penalty nullified the gain. On first and 25 Mitchem hit Jones with a 18 yard pass down to the South Lake 30 yard line. On first and 10 from the 30 yard line senior RB/S Trey Perry (Sr., 6-0, 190) took a handoff andwent off right tackle 30 yards for the first score of the game. The P.A.T. was no good and Leesburg led 6 to 0 with 5:08 left in the first quarter.

After receiving the kickoff from the Jackets, South Lake started from their 35 yard line. On first and ten 2012 Stanford Commit OLB Noor Davis put a jarring hit on RB/WR Chris Floyd (5-10, 185) junior DB/P Austin Walker recovered the football for the Jackets. The Jackets took over with great field position at the South Lake thirty yard line.

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

Three plays later on third and 10 Mitchem

The Eagles tried to get going on offense but five plays later the "Black Jackets" defense came up big again. Junior DB Jermaine Gasden (Jr., 5-11, 170) hit Floyd hard and forced a fumble, the fumble was recovered by senior MLB Chase O'Donell (Sr., 5-8, 185) Leesburg's leading tackler. The Jackets took over at its own 40 yard line.

Int the second quarter the Leesburg offense got moving again on second and 9 from the Yellow Jackets 36 yard line Mitchem found D'Mauri Jones on a short pass and Jones did the rest for a 64 yard touchdown reception. Perry was stopped on the two point conversion attempt short of the goal line to leave the score at 18-0 Leesburg with 7:08 left in the first half. The Eagles defense could not stop Jones the #15th ranked player in the Orlando Sentinel's 2012 Central Florida Super60. Trivers would call on Jones number several more times during the game with much success.

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

Leesburg seemed to be in control at this point in the ball game but South Lake was not going away so soon. With a win Coach Walter Banks Eagles had a chance to go into next weeks game with a chance to secure the district runner-up spot outright. The Eagles started their next drive with a sense of urgency from their twenty seven yard line. Four plays later 2012 Kent State University commit quarterback James Brooks, hit 2012 Iowa State University Commit WR P.J. Harris (Sr., 6-1, 170) with a pass at the Leesburg 15 yard line with 6:20 left in the half. Two straight carries by Chris Floyd moved the football down to the one yard line and Brooks went in the end zone from one yard out. The P.A.T. by 2012 Florida State Commit PK/P Robert Aguayo (Sr., 6-1, 200) was no good and the Jacket lead was now 18-6 with 4:28 left in the half. Both teams had problems with extra point conversions all game long, Leesburg failed on all of its attempts.



South Lake wasn't finished yet Brooks found Harris once again in the end zone and Roberto Aguayo P.A.T. was good. The score now was 18 to 13 Leesburg with 33.9 left in the half. On the next possession South Lake's Defense caused Perry to fumble the football and South Lake recovered the ball deep in Jacket territory. Penalties and turnovers help the Eagles stay in the ball game all night. 2012 Butkus High School Award Semifinalist Noor Davis sacked Brooks on the next play taking South Lake out of a short field goal attempt. The Eagles had to settle for a 52 yard field goal attempt by Aguayo who had made a couple of 50 yard field goals earlier in the year. Aguayo the #48 ranked player in the 2012 Super60 Football Poll kick was short and the Jackets had dodged a bullet and went into halftime with a 18 to 13 lead. Davis who is the nations #1 rated OLB by ESPNU150 and the #17 ranked player overall had been hampered by a hyperextended knee all season long played his biggest game as a Jacket last night.

"At halftime coach Trivers just told us men its all on you guys shoulders," said senior WR Juilliard Roberts, Jr. on Trivers halftime speech to the team. "If you don't want to play lets pack up and go home now or lets get big and go show them where they are and who running stuff"

The Scoreboard at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium after Friday night's win over Groveland South Lake 30 to 27 (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

"I feel good about the effort from the kids week in and week out we practice well," said Trivers. "We practice hard and they are committed to winning."

Leesburg opened the second half with the football and drove down the field in nine plays off of three pass receptions by senior WR Juilliard Roberts, Jr.  (6-1, 175) and senior KR/PR/RB/WR Jalen Dozier (Sr., 5-5, 150). The Yellow Jackets found themselves with a fourth and 5 from the Eagles 18 yard line. The Jackets who had problems with the P.A.T.s all game long elected to go for it on fourth down. Mitchem's pass was incomplete and South Lake took over on downs. 

On the next play Brooks kept the ball himself and scampered 83 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles in front for the first time in the game.  Brooks finished the game with 119 yards rushing on 17 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Aguayo P.A.T. was good and now the Eagles led the Jackets 20 to 18 with 7:46 left in the third stanza. 

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

"Coach Banks has a very loose football team as you mentioned last year," said Trivers on the Daily Commercial Friday Night Lights Pregame show with Frank Jolley. "They beat us a year ago (34-10 in Groveland) and they're every bit as good or better this year than they were a year ago. When you look at their skill position players they're are as good as anybody at the skill positions" "The guys that are carrying the ball, the guys that are throwing it they are pretty good. We are going to have our hands full tonight against South Lake that's for sure"

The momentum had shifted to South Lake's favor and the pressure seemed to be mounting against the Jackets. Trivers has taken his team into some hostile game environments and has taken notice of his teams maturity and composure in tight football games.

2012 University of Miami (FL) Commit D'Mauri Jones being chased by South Lake defenders during one of his 4 Touchdown catches on the night. Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

"I think we've improved in just about every area when you look at the way we been able to do things in all phases of the field," said Trivers. "I think we are just a better football team, plus if you really look at one area in particular intangibly this team is much more in intestinal fortitude"

With a little under four minutes left in the third stanza punter Austin Walker was stopped short on a apparent fake punt attempt and South Lake took over at the Leesburg 38 yard line. Junior RB/QB Kris White (Jr., 6-2, 220) took a Brooks handoff around the right side of the line and sprinted down to the Jackets 6 yard line setting up first and goal for the Eagles. On second and goal Devonte Williams came up with a big sack on Brooks setting up a fourth and goal 2 plays later. Banks decided to go for a touchdown rather than a field goal a decision that came back to haunt the Eagles later in the game. Brooks pass was incomplete and the Jackets took over on their own four yard line with 1:26 left in the third quarter.



The Jackets then went on a 96 yard scoring drive its longest scoring drive of the 2011 season. After a couple of short pass completions to Jones and Dozier the Jackets moved up to their own 17 yard line. Emmanuel Nelson then had a 17 yard run. Six plays later Mitchem found Jones again for a 7 yard touchdown reception putting the Jackets back in the lead 24 to 20 early in the fourth quarter.

The next drive South Lake started from its own 25 yard line. Coach Banks put the ball back into to Kris White's hand again he responded with a couple of long runs to up to the Eagles 47 yard line. On the next play Brooks hit Harris with a short strike who caught the ball in stride and raced to the end zone for a 53 yard touchdown. The P.A.T. by Aguayo was good and the Eagles had taken the lead again 27 to 24 with seven minutes and twenty seconds left in the game.

For the night Brooks completed 7-of-18 passes for 142 yards and two touchdown passes both to Harris, who finished with six catches for 129 yards. Harris is the #36 ranked player in the 2012 Super60 Football Poll. The Eagles had several players playing both ways and seem to wear down in the end.

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

Trivers squad seem to get stronger as the game wore on and he compared them to last years team.

"They are a more together group some of things that you need to draw from to pull from in tight ballgames and big ballgames," said Trivers. " They just have a little more of that fiber where there is not that sense of panic. They are a stronger group mentally and we have seen that in some our games they year."

The Jackets took over the football and after four plays had moved down to the Eagles 30 yard line. On the next possession Mitchem fumbled the football and South Lake Recovered  six minutes left in the contest. The Eagles moved down the Jackets 30 yard line and on fourth and 1 Max Green forced a fumble and Junior DB Jeremy Jones recovered the football giving the Jackets new life. 

Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

"Some of the keys to last nights victory was our offense," said Roberts. "We didn't fold or break we kept coming at them powering the football. We cant forget about our defense they always come to play."

The Jackets went on a 80 yard drive capped off by a 13 yard touchdown pass from Mitchem to D'Mauri Jones his fourth on the night. The P.A.T. attempt was no good and the score was now 30 to 27 with one minute and forty seconds left in the game. Nelson carried the ball five times for 22 yards on the drive. Nelson led the Leesburg's running attack with 90 yards on 22 carries. Perry had 31 yards including a 30 yard scoring run, but did not play in the second half after suffering an injury.


Max Green came up with another big play when he sacked Brooks taking off precious time off the clock. Brooks moved the Eagles offense up to the South Lake 43 yard line and spike the football with 15.3 seconds left in the game. The Eagles were still out of Aguayo kicking range. Brooks attempted another pass but it was broken up by Jeremy Jones with 9:7 seconds left in the game. On the next play Brooks scrambled down to the Jackets 42 yard line. As he was going down Banks attempted to call a timeout to set up a 59 yard field goal by Aguayo but the officials ruled that time run out in the game. After the officials consulted with each other and ruled that the game was over. Banks was furious and the Jacket Nation breathed a sigh of relief. 

#10 senior DR/PR/RB/WR Jalen Dozier breaks free during Friday nights game against Groveland South Lake.Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, CLASS OF 2011 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL/October 28, 2011)

"I don't feel that South Lake started wearing down in the last few minutes of the game," said Roberts. We just stood tall on defense and stopped their athletic quarterback from making big plays."


The Jackets now lead the alltime series between the two schools 9 to 8. Leesburg will close out it's regular season this Friday at home against Ocala Lake Weir. The Jackets still remains alive for a playoff berth as the district runnerup.

Resources


Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
Class 2001 Leesburg High School

Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. In the begining as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.

"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories." 

 

 

 

Article written by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

1986 Varsity Football Lettermen

Class of 1988 Leesburg High School

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

October 29, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

2011 Groveland South Lake at Leesburg Football Game Preview, October 27, 2011

Leesburg Head Coach Randy Trivers giving out instructions during last Friday's game at Orlando Maynard Evans High School Trojan Field (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 27, 2011)

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

October 27, 2011

LEESBURG - The Fightin' Yellow Jackets of Leesburg High School (6-2, 1-2) will return home to Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium tommorow night for a Class 7A District 4 football game against the Groveland South Lake High School Eagles (4-3, 1-1). The Jackets and Eagles are both still Matematically alive for the FHSAA Class 7A Football Playoffs. Orlando Maynard Evans clinched the District Championship with a 20 to 10 win over the Jackets last Friday night at newly renovated Trojans Field. 

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

South Lake High players and coach during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

Leesburg needs to win against South Lake and hope that Clermont East Ridge loses one of its last two district games to either South Lake or Lake Minneola. South Lake can earn a postseason berth by beating Leesburg and East Ridge next week to become the Class 7A District 4 Runner-Up.

Second year Leesburg head coach Randy Trivers Yellow Jackets will be playing a home game for only the second time in the last 7 weeks. The Jackets may be in line for a Bowl game if they find themselves on the outside looking in on a playoff birth. The Jackets are trying the win at least 8 games in a season for the first time since 2007 when they were District Champions.

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

Marcell Harris, left, and Dmauri Jones during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

Groveland South Lake High School located in South Lake County was founded in 1993 by consolidating Clermont High School and Groveland High School. As of 2011, enrollment consists of a 2,063 student body. It has approximately 40 certified teachers and 5 administrators. It is a public school. Its colors are blue and silver. The athletic teams, called the Eagles, are represented by a bald eagle.

Former South Lake running back Jeff Demps now with the University of Florida has played in the Groveland South Lake vs. Leesburg football rivalry.

The Jackets and Eagles have been playing football games against each other since 1993 with Leesburg winning the initial contest of the rivalry 24 to 0. The schools have played each other every year since then with the exception of the 2007 and 2008 football seasons. This will be the two schools 17th meeting and the series is tied at 8 games a piece. 

As for South Lake County's two root schools, Leesburg never played Clermont in a regular season game in all the years the Highlanders had a school, and Groveland only once in 1931. South Lake won last years game 34-10 in Groveland and the Jackets look to cling onto its slim playoff hopes and revenge last years lopsided loss. 

Leesburg at Orlando Maynard Evans (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/October 21, 2011)

One of the biggest perfomances in this rivalry was by South Lake's Wes Reynolds on Novermber 9, 2002. Reynolds rushed for 265 yards and scored seven times in a 67 to 42 South Lake win. Reynolds also caught 4 passes for 212 yards and had touchdown receptions for 34 and 75 yards.  In that game quarterback Shan Fairbanks passed 8 for 9 and 301 yards. Leesburg fullback Mike Jenkins just a freshman at the time had six runs of ten yards or more. Jenkins finished with 151 yards and 2 TDs in the game.

In 2006 running back Jeff Demps (Florida Gators) rushed 25 times for 218 yards and 3 TDs. In the same game Leesburg quarterback Marquez Porter rushed 27 times for 174 yards.

Four players in this game are in the Orlando Sentinel's 2012 Central Florida Super60. Leesburg's D'Mauri Jones is #15 (2012 University of Miami (FL) Commit) and Noor Davis is #22 (2012 Stanford Commit). South Lake's P.J. Harris is #36 (2012 Iowa State University Commit) and Robert Aguayo is # 48 (2012 Florida State University Commit) in the poll. The Eagles James Brooks has verbally committed to Kent State University bringing the total of verbal commitments for the two schools at five. 

( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 ) Leesburg's Noor Davis (12) and Cameron Jackson (43) team up to sack Evans quarterback Levar Robinson (1) during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10.

( Reinhold Matay, Special to the Orlando Sentinel / October 21, 2011 )

Leesburg's Noor Davis (12) and Cameron Jackson (43) team up to sack Evans quarterback Levar Robinson (1) during a high school football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. Evans beat Leesburg 20-10.

School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida

Class-District: 7A-4

2011 Record: 6 -2, (1 -2)

Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 12-6
Overall Coaching Record: 85-33

NCAA FBS Prospects: WR D'Mauri Jones (Sr., 6-4, 190), OLB/DE Noor Davis (Sr., 6-4, 230), DB Trey Perry (Sr., 6-0, 190), OLB/TE Jordan Tucker (6-3, 200), WR Julliard Roberts, Jr. (6-1, 175)

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

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

(STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL/August 21, 2011) Roberto Aguayo, South Lake High, during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

School: Groveland South Lake

Class-District: 7A-4

2011 Record: 4-3, 1-1

Head Coach: Walter Banks (5th season)

South Lake Coaching Record: 22-24

Overall Coaching Record: 22-24

NCAA FBS Prospects: WR P.J. Harris (Sr., 6-1, 170), QB Kris White (Jr., 6-2, 220), SS Marcell Harris (Sr., 6-2, 193), P/K Roberto Aguayo (Sr., 6-1, 200)

Players to Watch:WR Chris Floyd (5-10, 185), C Rhett Thomas (Sr., 5-11, 205), WR P.J. Harris (Sr., 6-1, 170), QB Kris White (Jr., 6-2, 220), SS Marcell Harris (Sr., 6-2, 193), P/K Roberto Aguayo (Sr., 6-1, 200), QB/RB James Brooks (Sr.)

Big Time Performers: Chris Floyd, WR P.J. Harris (Sr., 6-1, 170), QB Kris White (Jr., 6-2, 220), SS Marcell Harris (Sr., 6-2, 193), P/K Roberto Aguayo (Sr., 6-1, 200), QB/RB James Brooks (Sr.)

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

James Brooks, South Lake, during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

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

P.J. Harris, South Lake, during the Orlando Sentinel Football Media Day on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

Groveland South Lake Vs. Leesburg Alltime Series Record

1993 Leesburg 24, South Lake 0

1994 Groveland South Lake 38, Leesburg 20

1995 Leesburg 31, Groveland South Lake 6

1996 Groveland South Lake 46, Leesburg 16

1997 Leesburg 49, South Lake 46

1998 Leesburg 52, South Lake 13

1999 Groveland South Lake 21, Leesburg 18

2000 Groveland South Lake 27, Leesburg 8

2001 Groveland South Lake 21, Leesburg 20

2002 Groveland South Lake 67, Leesburg 42

2003 Groveland South Lake 14, Leesburg 12

2004 Leesburg 29, South Lake 15

2005 Leesburg 39, South Lake 22

2006 Leesburg 32, South Lake 22

2009 Leesburg 21, South Lake 7

2010 Groveland South Lake 34, Leesburg 10

Famous Groveland South Lake Football Alumni

Carlton Medder at the University of Florida

Nick Waisome at Florida State University.

#13 Shan Fairbanks at Averitt University

Jeff Maxwell at Belhaven University

Livingstone College's Devonta Harmon (10 intercepts a pass for Leamon Cozart (80) during game with Fayetteville State. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Jonathan Harrison at the University of Florida

There have been several notable Groveland South Lake High School players who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. Jeff Demps (University of Florida), Carlton Medder (University of Florida, Arizona Cardinals, New York Sentinels, British Columbia Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers), Jordan Montgomery (University of South Carolina), Wilton Irvin (Morris Brown College), Andre Lewis (Morris Brown College), Rod Roberson (Charleston Southern University), David Taylor (Troy University), Paul Prince (Eastern Kentucky University), Corey Bryant (Southeast Missouri State University), Ryan Carter (University of Florida), Travis Marchant (Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn.) Dustin Sparks (Charleston Southern University), Matt Boyack (Southeast Missouri State University), Mark Marshall (Ferrum (Va.) College), Dee Woolfolk (West Virginia Tech in Montgomery) Brent Whitfield (University of South Florida), Eric Fiduciao (University of South Florida), Shan Fairbanks (Averitt College), Mike Booker (Bethel College), Jeff Maxwell (Belhaven College, Jackson Mississippi) too name a few.

FAMOUS LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ALUMNI

Danny Trevathan at the University of Kentucky

Tory Harrison at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Greg Johnson at Florida State University

Matthew Shepherd at Monmouth College.

Dayne Williams at Florida State University.

There have been several notable Leesburg players who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. Leesburg players are Danny Trevathan (University of Kentucky All-American), Tory Harrison (University of Southern Mississippi, Hartford Colonels of the UFL), Matt Shepherd (Monmouth College, All-American plays professionally in Finland), Dondelaro Crosby (Missouri State) Luther McDowell (Monmouth College), Tim Erving (Monmouth College), R.J. Peppers (Towson University), Jeremiah Thompson (Florida State),  Dontra Matthews (Victor Valley College, Virginia University of Lynchburg), Rod Cosgrove (Susquehanna University), Demetrius Singleton (Averitt University), Danny Hardaway (Monmouth College), Marques Austin (Victor Valley College) James Asibey-Bonsu (Edward Waters College), Ken Rooney (Carson Newman College), Paul Nesbitt (Sue Bennett College, London Kentucky), Grover Gaddy (Sue Bennett College, London Kentucky), Ashley Hunt (University of Cinncinati), David Faile (University of Central Florida), Luke Freeze (Lenoir Rhyne College), Kahlill Tucker (South Carolina State University), Shon Gunn (Ranger College), Mark Smith (Ranger College), Anthony Saincilaire (Ranger College, Bacone College), Evan Hayden (Methodist University), Nathan Cornell (Chowan University), Joe Perry (Ranger College), Mike Lewis (Thiel College), Trevor Hawersaat (Southern Virginia University), Randall Sullivan (Florida A&M University), Marquez Porter (East Los Angeles College), Salthaniel Hall (Brevard College), Jason Cook (Bethany College, Bethany West Virginia), Brian Clamon (Joliet Junior College), Fred Self (Edward Waters College) to name a few.

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

GROVELAND SOUTH LAKE HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY

1995 Class 4A Regional First Round: Orlando L.C. Jones 48, Groveland South Lake 8

1996 Class 4A Regional First Round: Orlando Port Orange Atlantic 10, Groveland South Lake 7

1999 Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals: New Smyrna Beach 56, Groveland South Lake 13

2000 Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Groveland South Lake 48, Land O'Lakes 14

2000 Class 4A Regional Semifinals: New Smyrna Beach 39, Groveland South Lake 20

2003 Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Ocala Forest 17, Groveland South Lake 6

FHSAA Finals Record  0-0

FHSAA Tournament Record 1-5

2011 Leesburg High School Varsity Football Roster

#           Name        Grade
2 Juilliard Roberts 12

4 Jerel Sims 11

5 Jermaine Gasden 11

6 Jeremy Jones 11

7 Undra Mitchem 11

8 Trevone Perry 12

9 Austin Walker 11

10 Jalen Dozier 12

11 Anthony Harris 12

12 Noor Davis 12

13 Devonte Williams 11

15 D'Mauri Jones 12

16 Lee Bennett 10

17 Darius Connelly 12

18 Bradley Scott 11

19 Zack Mahan 12

20 Manny Nelson 12

23 Bryant Benton 10

25 Brandon Foor 12

26 Demitric Blue 10

29 James Winnings 11

30 James Eldridge 10

31 Jordan Tucker 11

32 Chandler Strong 11

33 Tre'von Johnson 11

34 Jaleel Brown 12

35 Damonte Mosely 11

40 Flint Hicks 12

41 Austin Nappi 11

42 Yashane Pinnock 11

43 Cameron Jackson 11

44 Chase O'Donell 12

49 Trevon Bell 10

50 Ben Peppers 11

51 John Peters 12
52 Garrett Nelson 12
53 Devonte Jacobs 11

54 Chris Smith 11
56 Adriel Handsborough 11
57 Max Green 12
58 Austin Thomas 12
61 Tanner Stewart 11
62 Estader Maurepas 11
70 Jeremiah Miller 12
71 Blake McKeeby 11
77 Andre Alexander 11
78 Zackery Pharmer 11
81 Jason Vogt 11
82 Braxton Bennett 12
95 Diontre Cornish 12
99 Tyler Reed 11
  
Resources

Photos by:
STEPHEN M. DOWELL

ORLANDO SENTINEL 

www.orlandosentinel.com

August 21, 2011 

Reinhold Matay

Special to the Orlando Sentinel  

Orlando Sentinel

October 21, 2011

Ashley Beyer

Freelance Photographer

Class of 2001 Leesburg High School

Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. In the begining as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.

"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories." 

Article written by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

1986 Varsity Jackets Football #82

Class of 1988 Leesburg High School

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.