There are a number of ways that head coach <strong>Brian Braddock</strong> and his St. Augustine football team can look at 2020.
For one, the Yellow Jackets were 11-3 – and the losses came to a pair of state finalists in Jacksonville Bolles (4A) and Lake Minneola (6A), and 8A power Bartram Trail. If you were searching for moral victories, you had them, but this program is searching for a lot more.
By looking back at those losses, it serves as motivation for the 2021 season. By also checking back at the wins against Middleburg, Flagler Palm Coast, Palm Coast Matanzas, Nease, Ponte Vedra, Palatka, and Lynn Haven Mosley, defending 6A state runner up Pensacola Escambia, Pace and Lake City Columbia in the playoffs, it gave this team plenty of confidence. Even that thrilling 49-48 3 OT thriller to Lake Minneola showed the Yellow Jackets that they can play with anyone.
With a large senior class, this will be another season where this program will be right in the mix.
Led by quarterback <strong>Riley Stevens</strong> (6-2, 230), this team can score points in a hurry – like they showed last season, during the pandemic, when they put up over 500 points.
In addition to Stevens, St. Augustine also features <strong>Marcello Bernardi</strong> (DE, 6-2, 230), <strong>Tyshawn Campbell</strong> (FS, 5-9, 182), <strong>Keyonta Cooks</strong> (WR, 5-10, 160), <strong>Trevon Dirden</strong> (QB, 6-2, 165), <strong>Jay Doughty</strong> (WR, 5-8, 185), <strong>Zavion Ferguson</strong> (DT, 5-10, 255) and kicking specialist <strong>Noah Forbes</strong>.
The Class of 2022 will also have <strong>Jamar Hamilton Jr.</strong> (WR, 5-7, 160), <strong>Jovien Hamilton</strong> (CB, 5-8, 155), <strong>Mark Harvey </strong>(LB, 5-10, 170), <strong>Jason Jackson</strong> (OT, 6-4, 250), <strong>Grant Johnson</strong> (DE, 6-0, 200), <strong>Sheridan Jones</strong> (CB, 6-0, 175), <strong>Robert Koliner</strong> (DT, 5-10, 215) and impressive defensive tackle <strong>Raidon Olores-Maeda</strong> (6-0, 220).
Also, keep an eye on <strong>Trenton McCary</strong> (OC, 6-2, 270), <strong>Hunter Skinner</strong> (RB, 5-10, 160), and defensive backs <strong>Patrick Stevens</strong> (CB, 6-0, 165), <strong>Noah Vargas</strong> (S, 5-11, 175) and <strong>Trent Vargas</strong> (CB, 5-11, 160).
<strong>KEEP AN EYE ON THE FUTURE</strong>
There is no getting around the fact that this program will also have some younger players – expected to step up and make a difference.
Standouts like Class of 2023 performers <strong>Andrew Baggs (</strong>OL, 5-9, 290), <strong>Travis Banta</strong> (DT, 6-1, 250), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128304" first="Ivyn" last="Collins"]</strong> (QB, 6-0, 185), <strong>Marsaun Harris Jr.</strong> (WR, 5-8, 155), <strong>Michael Koliner</strong> (DE, 6-1, 220), <strong>JaKwame Moore</strong> (LB, 5-5, 170), <strong>Pablo Rivera</strong> (OLB, 5-10, 165) and receiver <strong>Veyon Wilcox</strong> (5-8, 150).
The Class of 2024 will be special as well – with <strong>Dylan Cook</strong> (QB, 5-7, 165), <strong>Marquice King</strong> (CB, 5-9, 145), <strong>Drake Lusk</strong> (TE, 6-1, 180), <strong>Darius Rogers</strong> (LB, 5-9, 150) and receiver <strong>Brayden Smith</strong> (5-10, 155). Keep an eye on freshmen <strong>Matteo Bernardi</strong> (OLB, 6-0, 175) and <strong>Locklan Hewlett</strong> (QB, 6-0, 175).
<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 NEWS4-JAX</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>
