Clay Looking To Repeat 2020 Success

Back on November 27^th of last year – when Green Cove Springs Clay High’s football team squared off against Ocala Vanguard in a playoff, head coach <strong>Kyle Kennard</strong> and the Blue Devils were ready. After all, they had posted a 10-1 record heading into that contest, outscoring three playoff opponents 133-0. This was a program that was loaded – and despite a 41-14 setback to Oakleaf (Orange Park) a month earlier, the Blue Devils were certainly running on all cylinders. While Vanguard won the game easily, 38-7, it left a bad feeling on Clay’s sideline – and it was something that this team would carry with them throughout the off season. As we are now in the middle of spring, this team can still feel that playoff loss – and while a number of seniors are gone from last year, there is indeed a new group that has emerged and are ready to pickup where this team left off. Outscoring the opposition, 481-202, this program understands that the hard work they put into getting ready for 2020 – even with the pandemic – this year is more important. Using wins against 2A runner-up Jacksonville University Christian (33-12), Orange Park (47-13), Gainesville Eastside (41-14), Callahan West Nassau (50-22), St. Augustine Menendez (49-7), Middleburg (56-28) and Orange Park Ridgview (63-27), there are plenty of positives to look back on. Led by rising senior running back <strong>Alquerious Ray</strong> (5-10, 215 – 3.0 GPA) and 2023 defensive back <strong>Jarvis Lee</strong> (6-0, 175 – 3.5 GPA), this is a season in which big things are expected once again. Ray is a major talent who led all of 5A in rushing last season. College coaches are fully aware of what he brings to the table. Lee is already being heavily recruited – and brings so much to the table as a prospect, who is long, rangy, athletic and has long arms, which definitely helps. In addition to Ray, the Class of 2022 is indeed promising – with <strong>Brandon Combs</strong> (LB, 6-1, 195), <strong>Ethan Daniels</strong> (OL, 6-3, 265), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111471" first="D’Maurion" last="Frazier"]</strong> (CB/WR, 5-9, 150 – 3.1 GPA), <strong>Desironn Gantt</strong> (OL, 6-1, 225), <strong>Martez Martin</strong> (DT, 5-11, 260 – 2.9 GPA) and talented defensive back <strong>Jonathon Rouw </strong>(6-0, 182 – 3.5 GPA). <strong>SPRING UNCOVERS NEW TALENT</strong> As the coaching has spent plenty of time checking out some of the younger prospects who are expected to step in this coming season, there are others who have plenty of talent and are ready to step up. Keep an eye on Class of 2023 standouts <strong>Bryan Prince</strong> (DE, 6-3, 215), <strong>Blake Thompson</strong> (DE, 6-2, 227) and improving offensive lineman <strong>Bradley Warren</strong> (5-8, 240 – 3.5 GPA). Coach Kennard have been evaluating additional 2023 and 2024 prospects who he hopes will continue to mature after spring and into the summer. <strong>TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/</a> <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS CLAY FOOTBALL</strong> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>