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Showing posts with label leesburg football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leesburg football. Show all posts
Not a finalist, but Kentucky football's Danny Trevathan is one fine LB
Trevathan on tear after Butkus snub
LEXINGTON, KY. — University of Kentucky linebackers coach Chuck Smith got a text message about a month ago, when the list of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award were announced. It was from Wildcats senior Danny Trevathan, who led the Southeastern Conference in tackles last season and is again atop the league this fall.
“They didn’t put me on the Butkus watch,” Trevathan texted. “I’m gonna show everybody.”
That’s exactly what he has done since being snubbed for the award given annually to the top linebacker in the FBS. Trevathan has had 17 tackles in three of the four games following the announcement of semifinalists. In the month since his exclusion, he has 58 tackles, four and a half for loss, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
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Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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 - Leesburg High School second year head coach Randy Trivers has produced a resume in his distinguished coaching career. Despite losing 37 seniors from last season he is making a name for himself already in the history books of Leesburg High School Football. In his first seventeen games as head coach at Leesburg he has compiled a 12-5 regular season record. This is the best start for any Jacket head coach since the 1973 and 74 football seasons.
The late Max Wettstein whose jersey is retired at Leesburg, led the Yellow Jackets to a 7-3 record in 1973 and a 7-0 (combined 14-3) start in 1974. The Jackets were ranked #1 in the 1974 Class 3A (there were only 4 classes at that time 4A,3A,2A and 1A) State Poll for several weeks in that year and would lose only once to the eventual state champion Ocala Forest High School. There have been seven different coaches since Wettstein and Trivers is off to a faster start then the previous seven.
Trivers' Jackets have reached a #16 ranking in the Orlando Sentinel Super 16 High School poll, #1 ranking in the Daily Commercial 13 and received votes in the Associated Press Class 7A Top Ten High School Poll. Trivers record at Leesburg High School after 17 games is 12-5, his overall coaching record is 85-32.
What is remarkable about this feat is that Trivers took over the reins at Leesburg in the summer of 2010. Trivers didn't have the opportunity to be with the team during the spring and he only had a few weeks with the team before the season. Leesburg had been a option football team for about the last thirty years and within a few weeks before the season implemented a hurry up spread offense that emphasized the passing game.
The result was a 6-4, (5-2) record and the best passing season stats wise for the Jackets in 41 years. The Leesburg offense broke several regular season passing records in 2011. The Jackets were in FHSAA Playoff contention all the way down to the last six minutes of the of the 2010 season. Trivers' offense tied the state record for the most passing touchdowns in a game in 2010 against Mount Dora.
Five players received college football scholarships Dondelaro Crosby was the first to sign in the Trivers era with Missouri State University, R.J. Peppers (Towson University), James Asibey-Bonsu (Edward Waters College), Luther McDowell (Monmouth College), and Tim Erving (Monmouth College).
Trivers has his Fighting Yellow Jackets back in the FHSAA Playoff hunt with a 6-1 (1-1) record going into Friday Class 7A District 4 showdown with Orlando Maynard Evans High School Trojans 6-0 (2-0) who are ranked #10 in the Associated Press Class 7A High School Football Poll this week. The Jackets two best players have missed most of the season with injuries. The nations #17 ranked player overall according to the ESPN150 High School Poll (6-4, 225) OLB Noor Davis has missed three games and most of two others with a hyperextended knee. 2012 University of Miami Commit WR D'Mauri Jones (6-5, 190) has missed two games and parts of 3 other games nursing a high ankle sprain. Trivers likes the position that his Jackets are in right now and that excitement has spread all over the Lakefront City of Leesburg.
Coach Trivers talks with his team during a timeout in the game against Clermont East Ridge (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 23. 2011)
"All our goals are still intact we want to be a playoff team," said Trivers. "In order to do that we still have plenty of football ahead us. Hopefully we will be better prepared to compete and get some wins in those district ball games." "That's a goal that we have and that's still very much achievable for us. So we are excited to be able to improve, work together and go after that goal."
After a devastating lost to East Ridge at the "Dungeon" in Clermont, Trivers team has regained focus and have come away with some impressive wins in the last few weeks. Last weeks epic 13-6 win over 5th ranked Bushnell South Sumter High School will be talked about for years to come. It doesn't get any easier for the Jackets as they face their second ranked opponent in a row. The Yellow Jackets will be on the road for the fifth time in six weeks and are banged up, but Trivers is very optimistic about his team chances down the stretch.
2012 Under Armour All-American OLB Noor Davis (right) Head Coach Randy Trivers (middle) and 2012 University of Miami Commit WR D'Mauri Jones.
"We try not to let our guys look to far ahead than this one game," said Trivers. "It's a big picture and we let the guys know hey just because we lost one that doesn't mean that the season is over." "We got plenty of football to be played. All our goals that we have all the dreams we have are still sitting out there for us".
The road to ending Leesburg's 19 year playoff win drought goes through Orlando Maynard High School at Trojan Field formerly known as Double E Stadium.
Wins - Losses - Ties
Wilbur Lofton (43-23-1)
1966 6-5 Elks Bowl loss
1967 2-7-1
1968 7-4 Holiday Bowl win
1969 11-2 District Champs
1969 State Runner-Up
1970 9-2 Azalea Bowl win
1971 8-3 District Champs
Charles Nassar (41-42)
2002 2-8
2003 4-6
2004 3-7
2005 8-3 District Runner-Up
2006 7-4 Rotary Bowl win
2007 8-3 District Champs
2008 5-5
2009 4-6
Resources
Photos
Orlando Sentinel
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."
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.
(JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL/October 14, 2011) Leesburg D'Mauri Jones runs the ball for yardage during first quarter action of a high school football game against South Sumter in Bushnell, Fla. on Friday, October 14, 2011.
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
October 18, 2011
LEESBURG - Big Time Players Step Up In Big Time Games Trey Perry's 94 yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for the Jackets in the 2011 Football season. Perry saw his first extensive action on offense this season in last Friday nights game. He showed why he is no longer flying under the recruiting radar with his play on defense, offense and special teams. He is fun to watch and don't be surprised if second year head coach Randy Trivers doesn't find a way to get the football in his hands more often.
2012 Stanford commit Noor Davis return to the starting lineup has helped solidify the "Black Jackets" defense. In the three games that he sat out the Jackets gave up 88 points. In the two games since his return they have allowed only 6 points, a 11 yard drive off of a turnover to Bushnell South Sumter.
( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / October 14, 2011 )
Leesburg's Manny Nelson runs the ball for yardage during second quarter action of a high school football game against South Sumter in Bushnell, Fla. on Friday, October 14, 2011.
Leesburg is 5-1 in 2011 against Lake and Sumter county teams. Their only loss coming to Clermont East Ridge.
Junior OLB/TE Jordan Tucker transferred to Leesburg for the 2011 season he has made a very big impact on the Leesburg Football program. Tucker has three takeways on defense in the last three games for the Jackets. He had a fumble return for 64 yards in the East Ridge game and a 10 yard fumble return for a touchdown against St. Cloud. Tucker has a nose for the football, look for him to do even bigger things for the Jackets before the season ends.
The Leesburg football program has always been a unique fixture on the airways in Lake County. It is one of the few schools in Central Florida to have a live radio broadcast for its football games. Radio Play By Play Announcer Billy Matthews and Color Analyst Roger Croft do a wonderful job in the booth for WLBE790AM-www.my790am.com. The pair had big shoes to fill when replacing the late Jack Wilson and retired Jacket Mitchell who called Jacket games for over 40 years and they have performed well.
Leesburg Football has its on halftime and postgame show. The Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance Scoreboard Show is hosted by Sonny Bronson and Allison Crawford. You can call in after Yellow Jacket football games and talk about Jacket football or any team in Lake and Sumter Counties. Give them a call at 352-787-9523 and support your Leesburg High School Yellow Jackets.
( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / October 14, 2011 )
South Sumter's Javonte Everrett runs the ball for yardage during third quarter action of a high school football game against Leesburg in Bushnell, Fla. on Friday, October 14, 2011.
South Sumter's defense held Leesburg to just 13 points Friday night. It was the lowest point total for the Yellow Jackets since its 34-10 loss to Groveland South Lake on September 17, 2010. Leesburg came into the game averaging 31.2 points per game in 2011.
The "Black Jackets Defense has not allowed five of its seven opponents to score in the first half this season. Incidentally the two games that opponents scored in the first half 2012 Under Armour All-American Noor Davis was not in the lineup.
Randy Trivers is coaching record at Leesburg is now at 12-5. He is off to the fastest start of any Leesburg High School coach since the 1973 and 1974 seasons when Jacket legend Max Wettstein started out 14-3 in his first 17 games as Leesburg head coach. There have been seven head coaches in that span of time at Leesburg High School.
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.
Sonny Bronson co-host of the Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance Scoreboard Show on www.my790am.com
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club October 12, 2011
LEESBURG - The producers at 790WLBE have created a very informative High School Football Radio Show called the Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance Scoreboard show. The show has become a hit among high school football fans in Lake and Sumter Counties. The show is aired during halftime and after the Leesburg High School Football games on Friday nights. Belton Bails Bonds and Insurance Scoreboard show is hosted by Sonny Bronson and Allison Crawford. You can learn some of the inner workings of the Yellow Jackets football program on this new show.
Allison Crawford (left) and Sonny Bronson (right) cohost the Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance Scoreboard Show on www.my790am.com.
You can call in and talk live with Sonny and Allison at 352-787-9523 about Leesburg High School Yellow Jackets Football or any other high school in Lake and Sumter County. The show is sponsored by Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance in Tavares, Florida. Sonny and Allison provide up to date scores on all Lake and Sumter County High School Football games. Tune in every Friday night during the broadcast of Leesburg High School football games to support your Leesburg High School Yellow Jackets.
Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance sponsor of the Belton Bail Bonds and Insurance Scoreboard Show.
Article written by: Gerald Lacey Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Show Class of 1988 Leesburg High School www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com October 12, 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.
Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Home of the Jackets, Leesburg Florida
By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 25, 1993
LEESBURG - Clint Hart said the motivation was simple.
"We've never sung on their field before," South Sumter's quarterback said as he stood on the turf of Leesburg's H.O. Daney Field. "We just wanted to say we sung on their field."
The Raiders had just finished a robust chorus of "Amazing Grace." the song they use as an exclamation mark after every victory. That they were singing in Leesburg was largely a tribute to the amazing grace of wide receiver Dovie Gibson.
Gibson, playing with what he suspected to be a cracked rib, soared above the end zone to snare Hart's 29 yard touchdown pass, with six seconds remaining Friday, giving the Raiders a 14-7 victory that left the Leesburg stands dumbstruck.
It was Class 3A South Sumter's first football win against Leesburg, and the Raiders' delirious celebration afterward reflected the milestone.
"We told the kids when we came over here," Let's make sure they know we have a football team," South Sumter Coach Inman Sherman said. "That's was our No.1 goal. We wanted to show people we could play football".
South Sumter (4-0) waited long enough before driving the point home. The Raiders trailed 7-0 when they took possession at the Leesburg 44-yard line with just 2:54 remaining. Hart then engineered a frantic drive highlighted by Gibson's sprawling, 26-yard reception.
Hart finished the drive by taking a sneak three yards into the end zone, and Richie Langford's kick tied the game with 1:21 remaining.
Leesburg, which has completed just one pass all season, didn't fall on the ball and wait for overtime. But on the Jackets second play, Brian Hepburn threw a pass over the middle and directly in the arms of Hart, who returned the interception to the Leesburg 44 with 42 seconds remaining .
Switching back to offense, Hart then turned a potential sack into a big play, dishing a shovel pass to Clifton Baker, who moved to the Leesburg 29 before getting out of bounds. After an incompletion, Leesburg Brent Mauriell couldn't hold on to what would have been his third interception and the Raiders line up again with 12 seconds remaining.
Hart dropped back, looked to the left and sailed a spiral toward the end zone, where Gibson was running deep post pattern. The junior, who finished with four catches for 80 yards, leaped high into the air to grab the ball just before three defenders collided with him.
"I said, I've got to make a good play," Gibson said, describing his thoughts before the catch. "We were confident. That's all we dwell on, confidence."
Gibson said he hurt his ribs on a previous reception and had to get permission from the South Sumter team doctor to reenter the game, Sherman was glad he did.
"Dovie's a competitor," Sherman said. "He went up there and took the ball away from two people. Clint Hart took a beating at quarterback, and he just kept getting up and making great plays."
"When the coach called the play. I knew it was open," said Hart, who lined up in the shotgun on the final two drives. "I just threw it up there and he went and got it. He's the receiver I look for the most."
Leesburg (2-2) dominated the line of scrimmage for three quarters, especially on it first possession of the second half. Making use of a size advantage in the line, the Jackets moved 62 yards in 12 plays before Hepburn scored on a 1 yard keeper.
The Jackets outrushed the Raiders 195-80 despite playing without injured tailback Calvin Walker. Leesburg's Aaron Blake had 103 yards on 22 carries before going out with an apparent dislocated elbow in the fourth quarter.
Leesburg also played without preseason All-American defensive tackle Henry Wright. Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said Wright is out at least two weeks for disciplinary reasons. But Hoffman used no excuses.
"I thought that kid (Gibson) made a hell of a catch in the end zone, and I don't think we could have covered him any better." Hoffman said. "That's the type of team they are, a long-gain team on one of two plays.
"Our defense played a hell of a game. We have nothing to be ashamed of."
Sherman agreed.
"We know we were fortunate," he said. "I'm very, very impressed with their defense."
But thanks to Gibson, the lasting impression of the game was the sound of the Raiders singing on Leesburg's turf.
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.
Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Home of the Jackets, Leesburg Florida
By Pete Barth
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 24, 1993
District standings won't be an issue tonight when South Sumter visits Leesburg for a 7:30 P.M. high school football game. County bragging rights aren't even at stake. In fact, the teams aren't even in the same classification; Leesburg is 4A and South Sumter is 3A.
But its a big game nonetheless. Neither coach will say it, and there's no way to prove it, but the winner of tonight's contest can likely assume it is the area's top team.
"We're looking forward to it," said South Sumter's Inman Sherman. "We're from a small town and needless to say, we don't feel like we always get a lot of respect. Maybe if we win this game, we can show people that we've got a football team."
One thing is for sure: South Sumter has shown everybody it's played so far that it has what can be an overpowering team. The Raiders have crushed Wildwood, Eustis and Hernando 31-0, 45-0 and 33-6.
"We've kind of jumped on people and stunned them," Sherman said.
Its unlikely the Raiders will ring up that type of score against Leesburg, which has played quality football itself, save for last week's 35-7 loss to a talented Ocala Vanguard team, Until that game, Leesburg hadn't given up a point in beating Eustis and South Lake.
"Our offense didn't play well (against Vanguard)," said Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman, "Our defense played well, but it realizes it must play better."
Leesburg will start T.J. Gooden at quarterback. He and Brian Hepburn have been competing for the starting spot all season.
S. SUMTER AT LEESBURG
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
RECORDS: South Sumter, 3-0; Leesburg, 2-1
LAST WEEK: South Sumter defeated Hernando 33-6, Leesburg lost to Vanguard, 35-7
COACHES: South Sumter, Inman Sherman (10th year); Leesburg Ed Hoffman (2nd Year)
OVERVIEW: South Sumter has outscored its opponents 109-6 this season. The Raiders offense leads the area with a average of 311.7 yards per game. Running back Clifton Baker has 18 carries and 197 yards and five touchdowns in three games. Leesburg's leading rusher, Calvin Walker, has 33 carries for 150 yards and one touchdown this season. Leesburg averages 194 yards on offense and holds opponents to 186 yards.
KEY STATS: South Sumter's Hall had two touchdowns last week.
KEY INJURIES: South Sumter; none reported; Leesburg: OT/DT Rob Harrison (ankle) is out; OT/DT Henry Wright (ankle) is probable; QB/DE Brian Hepburn (thumb) is probable.
SPEAKING: "They're going to come at us. Bang, bang, bang." Leesburg's Hoffman
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 game action. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011)
Lake Minneola at Leesburg Game Preview October 6, 2011 Listen to the Randy Trivers Show and game live at www.my790am.com.
Randy Trivers Show starts at 6:30 P.M.
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
October 6, 2011
LEESBURG - Its Homecoming week for the Jackets and their is a buzz of excitement in the air in the city of Leesburg. Second year head coach Randy Trivers brings his 4-1 (0-1) Yellow Jackets back home to Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium for the first time in three weeks. They will face Corey Brinson's Lake Minneola High School Hawks of Minneola, Florida in the first meeting ever between the Jackets and the first year school from South Lake County.
( TOM BENITEZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL )
Coach Corey Brinson leads Lake Minneola's first football practice on Monday, August 8, 2011. Lake Minneola is the new high school in Lake County.
Leesburg is coming off a thrilling down to the wire 38-36 win over Class 7A St. Cloud in the Bulldogs Homecoming game last week. Trivers is being extra careful this week not to let his Jackets take the one win Lake Minneola Hawks lightly. This a Class 7A District 4 matchup which will go a long ways in determining who will represent the district in the FHSAA playoffs in a few weeks. The Jackets have not won a FHSAA playoff game since 1992 when they were led by Leesburg legends Oran Singleton, Steve Gooden, Ty Lawrence, Juilliard Roberts Sr., D.J. Keith and Herbert "Tank" Ellis.
"Me and my team do understand that we can end a 19 year drought and we practice like it everyday," said senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. "We work hard on being the best conditioned team and the best at executing plays"
"We do believe that if we continue to improve each week and remain healthy, we can win the District Championship," said 2012 High School Butkus Award Nominee OLB Noor Davis.
"I don’t focus on individual statistics." "My goals are really focused on helping LHS win as many games as we can, reaching the state playoffs, and in advancing to the 7A state championship game…and winning it!"
Lake Minneola is Lake County's newest high school located in the city of Minneola in South Lake County. This is a first year school and the football team is made up almost entirely of players from nearby high schools Clermont East Ridge High School and Groveland South Lake High School. Lake Minneola is a young team that has no senior Class yet, making it a team of all underclassmen. They come into the game with a 1-3 (0-0) record in their inaugural season. The Hawks have numbers and raw talent they have continually played better as season progresses.
Lake Minneola High School's Andrew Jones (12) and Matt Segal (44) whoop it up after Segal stops Celebration High's Carlos Martinez Quentin Lewis in the second quarter of their game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. The game was the school's inaugural home game.
The Hawks have some of the best athletic facilities in the state. Lake County School Board spent 3.9 million dollars on its athletic facilities. The money covered construction costs and equipment for an eight-lane rubberized track and field, baseball/softball complex and a football/soccer complex.
Don't be deceived by Lake Minneola 2011 win-loss record, following a pair of close losses to open the season, Lake Minneola leaped into the win column in a big way on Sept. 16, blasting Celebration 49-0 in the first home game in school history. A capacity crowd was on hand at Hawks Field to witness the historic event. In two of the losses they had the football in last few minutes with a chance to win it.
"We hung in there and had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter," Lake Minneola coach Corey Brinson said. "That's all I could've asked for from these guys. Many of them were playing in their first varsity game and I'm very proud of the way they responded in pressure situations. We made our share of mistakes -- lining up in the wrong formation and committing silly penalties that are typical for a first game."
"All in all, I was very proud of our kids, and I think Lake Minneola High School can feel very proud about our first game."
Keep your eyes on Walteze Collier (RB/DB) and Omar Mills (DE). They have stepped up as leaders, on the field and off. “Walteze Collier is definitely a stand out," says Brinson. "He has shown me that he has more polish than flair. He is a very talented kid!”
This game starts a new season for the Hawks, this is their first district game of the year. Corey Brinson squad are still in the district race that what makes them such a dangerous opponent for the Jackets. Leesburg has already suffered one district loss and are still mathematically in the playoff hunt. They must first win the rest of its district games to claim the district runnerup spot. They will need for one of the other district teams to knock off East Ridge to have a chance for a tie for the district lead forcing a district tiebreaker.
"We try not to let our guys look to far ahead than this one game its a big picture." said Trivers.
(PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011)
"We want our kids to believe they have a chance to win every time they step on the field," said Corey Brinson Lake Minneola's first year head coach. "We know we're going to have our struggles this year, but I'm not going to allow anyone to use the fact we're a first-year program as an excuse to be satisfied with losing."
On offense the Jackets will try to establish the run early against the Hawks young defense. Leesburg's leading rusher Emmanuel Nelson left last weeks game against St. Cloud with a injury and is listed as probable for this game. Nelson the Jackets workhorse gained 162 yards on 30 carries last week and has had four 100 yard games in 2011. Nelson totals for 2011 are 86 carries for 509 yards and 5 touchdowns. Both teams like to grind it out on the ground look for much of the same tomorrow night. Both teams have no problem putting points on the scoreboard as Lake Minneola comes into the game averaging 27.5 points per game while Leesburg is averaging 30.2 a game.
Trivers will try to get the ball in the hands of his big play receivers senior Juilliard Roberts (11 catches 192 yards, 2 TDs) 17.5 yards per catch, 2012 University of Miami (FL) commit D'Mauri Jones (10 catches for 135 2 TDs) 13.5 yards per catch and Jalen Dozier (8 catches for 107 yards, 2 TDs) 13.4 yards per catch.
Leesburg at St. Cloud game action. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011)
The Jackets hope to have 2012 High School Butkus Award nominee OLB Noor Davis back in the lineup Friday night. He has missed the last three games with a hyper extended knee. Davis is listed as probable for the game. The defense has seen some younger players step up in the last few weeks. Look for big games out of sophomores Demitric Blue, James Eldridge and Bryant Benton, these sophomores have made a big impact in recent games.
Senior MLB Chase O'Donell and senior Brandon Foor have played well for the Jackets defense. They have proven themselves to be the leaders of the "Black Jackets" defense. Juniors Austin Walker, Jermaine Gasden and Jordan Tucker have made big play after big play look for that to continue tomorrow night.
The Jackets will depend on special teams play by Austin Walker and PK James Eldridge who had three field goals including the game winner against St. Cloud. Eldridge converted all of his P.A.T.s and put four kickoffs into the end zone.
(PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011)
Brinson realize that trying to get a district win on the road in such a tough district will be a challenge for his young team. The Hawks lack depth on both sides of the football. Leesburg will exploit this as it has superior talent and depth. Brinson's squad won't back down from anyone and looks to be competitive in this game and the rest of the district schedule.
"We might take our lumps this year, like all first-year programs do, but we'll all be able to look back and realize these kids and this coaching laid the groundwork for all future successes Lake Min-neola will have on the football field," said Brinson on his teams youth and inexperience.
Brinson understands the importance of playing hard and well every Friday night in order to build a winning program and tradition. He looks at this game as a potential upset and a program builder if his squad can go into Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney and pull out a win.
"I tell our kids that they are a first," Brinson said. "There's never been a football team at Lake Minneola High School -- heck, there's never been a Lake Minneola High School before this year. In 30 years, these kids will be able to sit back and tell their wives, children and grandchildren about being part of the first football team here. Nobody else will ever be able to say that.
"That's something we can build on."
Leesburg at St. Cloud game action. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 30, 2011)
Brinson, 37, also has been a high school head coach once before, running the program at Valrico Bloomingdale from 2003-07. During that time, he had a 15-35 record for Bloomingdale, a school that opened in the 1980s and never had a winning record or had reached the playoffs through Brinson’s tenure. He then worked as the special teams and wide receiver coach at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. He also served as the secondary coach at Port Orange Spruce Creek in 1999-2000.
Brinson spent last season serving as the defensive coordinator at Evans High School. Brinson also played safety and cornerback at Bethune-Cookman University from 1993-97 was an All-MEAC honorable mention at strong safety in 1996.
Leesburg High School second year head coach Randy Trivers
“I always wanted to have the opportunity to start a program,” Brinson said after he was hired for the Lake Minneola job. “I am very excited and very thankful to have this opportunity.”
Leesburg controls its own playoff destiny and a Homecoming win Friday night can help bring them closer to reaching that goal. The Jackets have not been in the playoffs since the 2007 season when they were led by University of Kentucky All-American LB Danny Trevathan.
"All of our goals are still intact we want to be a playoff team," said Trivers. "We still have plenty of football ahead of us and some games that we will hopefully be prepared to compete in and get some wins in those district ball games that's a goal."
Leesburg has not won a playoff game since 1992 when they were Regional Champions. The road to playoffs continues tomorrow night at Hubert O. Dabney stadium start time is 7:00. You can listen to the live radio broadcast at 790am or online at: www.my790am.com
School: Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida
Class-District: 7A-5
2011 Record: 4 -1, (0 -1)
Head Coach: Randy Trivers (2nd season) Leesburg Coaching Record:10-5 Overall Coaching Record: 83-32
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, James Eldridge, Chase O'Donell, Demitric Blue.
School: Lake Minneola High School, Minneola, Florida
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
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 Class of 2001 Leesburg High School
Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
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.
