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| Photo from the 2011 Spring Football Game Gainesville Eastside at Leesburg, May 21, 2011. (ASHLEY BEYER/Freelance Photographer) |
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
May 21, 2012
LEESBURG - The 2012 FHSAA Spring Football Season will be coming to a close in a few days. After a couple of weeks of enduring Florida spring time temperatures soaring in the 90's, teams will now have a chance to see how much progress they have made in game conditions. Leesburg second year head coach Randy Trivers will take his Yellow Jackets squad on the road Thursday night to face Gainesville Eastside to see how they match up with the Alachua County School. This will be the first trip to Citizens Field/Milton Lewis Stadium at James F. Niblack Athletic Complex, for the Jackets since the 2008 season.
"I think you are going to have some exciting football for people to see," Trivers said.
For the second spring in a row Trivers will have to replace one of his coordinators. In 2011 Offensive coordinator Greg Malling left LHS to take a head coaching job in Wisconsin at powerhouse Arrowhead High School. This Spring Defensive Coordinator Curt Bradley has taken a head coaching job with Braden High School in Bradenton Florida.
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| Eastside High School football coach Jeff Parker watches his team go
through drills at spring practice. (CLEVELAND TINKER/Special to the
Guardian) |
Trivers and his coaching staff have used this spring to focus on togetherness, being a smart team and staying disciplined. The Yellow Jackets were in playoff contention the past two seasons going to its final game. The Jackets finished the season 8-2 (2-2) barely missing the playoffs with their only losses coming to Orlando Maynard Evans (2011 FHSAA Class 7A Regional Semifinalist) and Clermont East Ridge (2011 FHSAA Class 7A Regional Finalist) Leesburg is seeking its eighth State Championship game appearance and first playoff game since 2007.
"All of our goals are still intact we want to be a playoff team," Trivers said in a interview with Frank Jolley on Friday Night Lights. "That's still very much a achievable goal for us so we are excited to be able to continue to improve, work together and go after that goal."
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| Jackets talk it over on the sideline during senior night. Ocala Lake Weir at Leesburg, November 4, 2011(By Ashley Beyer Freelance Photographer). |
Both teams faced each other in the 2011 Spring game at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium. The game was halted with six minutes left due to bad weather with the score tied at 7-7. Eastside leads the all-time series between the teams 5-3.
Eastside's second year head coach Jeff Parker is instilling a winning attitude in his team during his second spring practice as coach of the Rams.
"I don't like to lose," Parker said.
"We
are focusing on the kids competing hard and having a winning attitude
about everything they do, taking nothing for granted, and working to
fight as a unit," Parker said. "When they go out there on that field,
they have to know that they have each other's back. We are trying to
weed out any individual attitudes."
Junior Anthony Burch (DE, OLB) is one of the players who is leading the team with the new attitude.
"Most
of us have been through the pain and suffering of the last two and
three years, and we are seniors now and we already know what to expect
and to go through, so we should be all right," said Burch, adding that
he also takes being a leader seriously. "I am trying to be the best that
I can be, and when I see the younger guys slacking off like I did when I
was younger, I correct them because I have already been through that."
Eastside will work out of a new offense installed by former eight year NFL player Willie Jackson (Gainesville P.K. Yonge, University of Florida, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys). Jackson's son Sir Jackson is Eastside's quarterback and will be leading the new offense.
Sir Jackson said that the winning attitude has already set the tone for this spring and the upcoming season. According to the junior quarterback this team has some intestinal fortitude and has displayed it throughout the 2012 spring campaign. Jackson says this is one of the hardest working groups that he has ever played with.
"I think we have more hard
working people than people who just want to talk, and I think that is
going to make us better," said Jackson, adding that he takes being a
leader seriously. "I am a hard worker and I always push my guys and I
always encourage them to do better and dig deeper."
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| Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune archive New
Orleans Saints receiver Willie Jackson (Gainesville Eastside Offensive Coordinator) tied an NFL playoff record for
touchdown receptions in a game, shared with nine others. He caught a
10-yard slant pass from Aaron Brooks for his first; a 49-yarder over
Dexter McCleon' and his last on a slant pattern from 16 yards. |
Willie Jackson's offense will try to take advantage of the athletic ability of his players. It is a pro style offense that will use multiple sets to try and create mismatches in the Leesburg defense. Last year the Rams ran the spread, but will run a lot of formations with one or two backs and tight ends this year.
"We are definitely going to get the ball to our playmakers," Parker said.
Leesburg's offense will have some new faces this spring. The Jackets will enter the game a little nicked up from one of the most intense spring practices in the history of Leesburg High School Football. The Jackets eleven are one of the smallest teams in FHSAA Class 7A
football. For what this squad lacks in size they makeup for it with
physical conditioning, speed, athletic ability and technique.
"Fundamentally we try to teach our kids to utilize what they have the
best way they can, in terms of leverage and fundamental techniques",
said Trivers." "We try to be smart with scheme and certainly things such
as strength and stamina that come into play."
The biggest hole to fill on offense will be at Wide Receiver this spring. 2012 University of Miami (FL) signee D'Mauri Jones, Juillard Roberts and Jalen Dozier all have been lost to graduation, placing the wide receiver position up for grabs. Brian Jefferson, Adrian Falconer and Lee Bennett have had a great spring and will be counted on heavily in the fall. Bennett is very versatile and will be moved around so he may get the football in his hands more often this season.
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| Leesburg at Orlando Maynard Evans October 21, 2011 (By Ashley Beyer Freelance Photographer) |
"If we have to throw it 30 times than that's what we will do," said
Trivers on the Jackets weekly game plan on offense. "If we have to throw it 3 times
than that's what we will do."
Another receiver to keep you eye on is Afernee Scott the brother of Jalen Dozier (D'Mauri Jones first cousin). He has great speed and is very dangerous in the open field giving the Jackets a game changer at that position.
Anthony Miller comes back at running back after a solid junior year, despite missing a couple of games due to injury. Miller averaged about six yards per carry last season and will be looked upon to be the workhorse of the backfield. Brad Scott and Travon Johnson will also get some carries in the game.
On the defensive side of the ball for the Rams they are led by Burch, sophomore Barry Johnson and junior Micheal Linton (6'1", 255 pounds). Expect to see some some solid play Eastside linebacking corps and secondary. The defense is the backbone of the Eastside team especially the defensive line.
Leesburg's defense will deal with the loss of 2012 High School Butkus Award winner Noor Davis. Davis is headed to California to play for the Stanford Cardinal. Without Davis in the lineup commanding double and triple team blocking schemes the Jackets will have to have some other players step up.
The Jackets also with will have to deal with the loss of last year's leading tackler Chase O'Donell (Thiel College). Leesburg has some studs on the defensive line in Tyler Reed, Devonte Williams and Adriel Handsborough and look to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.
The linebacking core is led by Jordan Tucker who is being coveted by the University
of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Miami (FL),
University of South Florida, Florida State University, and University of
South Florida too name a few. Tucker is listed on the Orlando Sentinel Super 60 watchlist and is rated #50 in the Miami Herald High School Blog Class of 2013. With a strong spring game performance he will watch his list of college offers soar.
Austin Walker the teams second leading tackler last year returns and will add his senior leadership to the linebacking corp. Walker has a nose for the football and should have a big spring game performance. Devonte Williams, Jerrel Sims all have had great springs and will see plenty of playing time in Thursday's game.
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| Tavares at Leesburg, September 5, 2011. (ASHLEY BEYER/Freelance Photographer) |
The secondary will have to deal with the loss of Trey Perry (Carson-Newman College) and Zach Mahan. Jermaine Gasden, Bryant "Mr. No" Benton and Demetric Blue help lead a solid secondary with plenty of experience under game conditions.
Eastside's kicking game will be led by returning starter Nick Fethire. Fethire will probably handle all the kicking duties, except for punting according to Parker.
Special teams is one of the Jackets strengths with Walker returning as punter. James Elridge who won the placekicking job as a sophomore last year returns and will handle the placekicking duties.
"I think one of the biggest differences this spring is that we are a more together football team and a more mentally tougher football team in a lot of ways," Trivers said.
Overall Parker is pleased with how things have taken shape this spring with his Rams squad. He believes that the program is taking the right steps towards becoming a state powerhouse again.
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| This will be the first trip to Citizens Field/Milton Lewis Stadium at James F. Niblack Athletic Complex, for the Jackets since the 2008 season. |
"You
don't build anything overnight, it takes time to lay a foundation,"
Parker said. "We are seeing the fruits of what we did with these guys
last year, and we are excited about the progress they have made."
This should be an exciting spring affair and both teams seem to be headed in the right direction.
School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida
Class-District: 7A-4
2011 Record: 8 -2, (2 -2)
Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season)
Leesburg Coaching Record: 14-6
Key Losses: D'Mauri Jones (2012 University of Miami, FL signee), Noor Davis (2011 Butkus Award winner, 2012 Stanford University signee), Juilliard Roberts, Emanuel Nelson, Trey Perry (Carson Newman College), Diontre Cornish (2012 Thiel College signee), Chase O'Donnell (2012 Thiel College signee), Jalen Dozier, Zac Mahan, Max Green, Brandon Foor, Flint Hicks, Anthony Harris, Garrett Nelson, Austin Thomas, Braxton Bennett and Jeremiah Miller.
NCAA FBS Prospects: OLB/TE Jordan Tucker (6-3,
200)
Other top players: LB/PK Austin Walker (Sr.), RB Anthony Miller (Jr.,
5-7, 185), DB Jermaine Gadsden
(Jr., 5-11, 170),
Key Returnees: Jermaine Gasden, Jeremy Jones, Austin Walker, Lee Bennett, Anthony Miller, Bryant Benton, Demitric Blue, James Eldridge, Jordan Tucker, Chris Smith, Adriel Handsborough, Devonte Williams, Undra Mitchem Jr, Estader Maurepas, Cameron Jackson and Tyler Reed.
Top Newcomers: Brian Jefferson, Adrian Falconer, Brad Scott, Travon Johnson, Afernee Scott, Jerrel Sims
School: Gainesville Eastside High School, Gainesville, Florida
Class-District: 5A-5
2011 Record: 4-7, (2 -3)
Head Coach: Jeff Parker (2nd season)
Gainesville Eastside Coaching Record: 3-7
Overall Coaching Record: 22-13
Key Losses: Otis Mazon (Bellhaven University), Derek O’Neal (Bellhaven University)
Key Returnees: Anthony Burch
(DE, OLB, JR), James Henderson (5'8", 240, OL), Sir Jackson (QB 5'11", 185, JR), Richard Johnson (C, 6'4", 280, SR),
Jamari Walker (6'1", 190, RB, LB), Tracey Williams (FB, LB) and sophomore Barry
Johnson (6'2", 240, DE, TE, JR). Seth Brown (6'5," 230 pounds TE), Michael Linton (6'1," 255 pounds DL, JR), Jesse Houston (5'11", 185, OL,SS,SR), Sean Scott (5'9", 185 LB), Kevin Jenkins (6'1", 320, LG, JR), Quintarvis King (5'11", 200, JR, MLB,OLB), James Scott (5'11", 210, DL,OL, JR)
Leesburg vs. Gainesville Eastside Series Records
1974 Leesburg 20, Gainesville Eastside 14
1975 Gainesville Eastside, 21 Leesburg 7
1976 Leesburg 57, Gainesville Eastside 7
1999 Gainesville Eastside, 12 Leesburg 7
2000 Gainesville Eastside, W Leesburg L
2005 Gainesville Eastside, 21 Leesburg 9
2006 Gainesville Eastside, 13 Leesburg 7
2007 Leesburg 14 Gainesville Eastside 7
2008 Gainesville Eastside 20 Leesburg 0
LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY
7 Playoff Appearances 3-7 All-Time Record
State Championships 1927, 1929, 1934
State Runnerup 1928, 1969
District Championships 1969, 1971, 1992, 2007
1969 CLASS 2A District Playoffs: Leesburg 12, Auburndale 0
1969 CLASS 2A Semifinals: Leesburg 36, Belle Glade 23
1969 CLASS 2A Championship: Blake (Tampa) 27, Leesburg 6
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 Tournament Record 3-7
GAINESVILLE EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY
12 Playoff Appearances, 10-12 All-Time Record
1978 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: St. Augustine 14, Eastside (Gainesville) 7
1979 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: Eastside (Gainesville) 35, North Marion (Citra) 21
1979 CLASS 3A Regional Playoffs: Oviedo 19, Eastside 7 (Gainesville)
1992 CLASS 3A District Playoffs: South Sumter (Bushnell) 12, Eastside (Gainesville) 0
1995 CLASS 4A Regional First Round: Eastside (Gainesville) 33, Hernando (Brooksville) 7
1995 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Eustis 22, Eastside (Gainesville) 12
1997 CLASS 4A Regional First Round:Eastside (Gainesville) 23, Jones (Orlando) 20
1997 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Eastside (Gainesville) 24, Zephyrhills 0
1997 CLASS 4A Regional Semifinals: Raines 20, Eastside (Gainesville) 17
1998 CLASS 4A Regional First Round: Eastside (Gainesville) 65, Mount Dora 6
1998 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Eastside (Gainesville) 20, Crystal River 7
1998 CLASS 4A Regional Semifinals: Raines 26, Eastside (Gainesville) 19
1999 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Eastside (Gainesville) 33, Countryside (Clearwater) 0
1999 CLASS 4A Regional Semifinals: New Smyrna Beach 17, (Gainesville) Eastside 0
2004 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Leon (Tallahassee) 28, Eastside (Gainesville) 26
2005 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Eastside (Gainesville) 14, Ridgeview (Orange Park) 7
2005 CLASS 4A Regional Semifinals: Eastside (Gainesville) 35, Rockledge 7
2005 CLASS 4A Regional Finals: Nease 57, Eastside (Gainesville) 21
2006 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Eastside (Gainesville) 18, Columbia (Lake City) 15
2006 CLASS 4A Regional Semifinals: Seabreeze 28, Eastside (Gainesville) 6
2007 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach) 29, Eastside (Gainesville) 7
2008 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach) 43, Eastside (Gainesville) 13
Resources
FHSAA
100 East Main Street
Leesburg, Florida 34748
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
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