All-First Coast Football 2020: Meet the team – The Florida Times-Union

Clayton Freeman|Florida Times-Union

The year started with a loss.

But that's all the losing Trinity Christian did in 2020.

The Conquerors' eighth FHSAA championship stands out as the highlight in a year of memorable moments, as the Times-Union rolls out its annual All-First Coast team for high school football in Northeast Florida.

Trinity's lineup lit up the field with a multitude of future college prospects, even though many like University of Florida-signed wide receiver Marcus Burke missed stretches of the year with injuries.

After dropping their season opener to Bolles, the Conquerors stormed through the rest of the season with a defense that became the envy of Northeast Florida, even shutting out Plantation American Heritage on Broward County turf.

They closed out their season with a finish to rank among Jacksonville's most thrilling.

They rallied from 16-0 down to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, finally winning 25-22 on Burke's diving catch on a fourth-down pass from Ja'Cory Jordan with 48 seconds remaining in Tallahassee. The title was the eighth for head coach Verlon Dorminey.

Two more area programs made the trip to Doak Campbell Stadium but came up just short.

University Christian relied on the stamina and grit of two-way athletes like Joe Carter and Orel Gray all the way to the Class 2A final, losing to Hialeah Champagnat Catholic.

In Class 4A, Bolles with a steamrolling line, a clutch receiving threat in Davis Ellis and an ace linebacker corps as just some of their weapons reached the final for the second time in as many years under head coach Matt Toblin. But they fell behind early and a late rally came up short to Class 4A champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.

And St. Augustine returned to contention in Class 6A, behind an explosive and well-balanced offense with All-First Coast performers throwing (Sam Edwards), running (Ty Baxter) and catching (Dequan Stanley) the football. Only a triple-overtime heartbreaker at Lake Minneola kept the Yellow Jackets from a Tallahassee visit.

Statistical milestones also went down, hard.

Despite a midseason school shutdown due to COVID-19, Fletcher's Myles Montgomery topped the 4,000-yard mark for his career, while Bartram Trail's A.J. Jones III and Bradford's Erric Smith closed their high school careers as their schools' rushing kings.

But the year wasn't just about the already-proven stars and programs.

Among the season's breakthrough stories came at Sandalwood: As All-USA national recruit Branden Jennings continued his three-year reign as a Jacksonville tackling machine, newcomer Jadon Canady emerged as a scoring force on offense, defense and special teams.

Illinois signee Patrick Bryant helped carry Atlantic Coast to its first-ever postseason, ousting Fletcher and Tallahassee Lincoln along the way.

Clay and Ridgeview both turned around 1-9 seasons from 2019 to surge into the Class 5A postseason.

A couple of small-town teams tasted big-time success: Powered by an uncompromising defense, Baldwin rolled to its first unbeaten regular season for more than a half-century, and Hilliard put together a perfect campaign until the regionals in Class 1A.

The overall winners will be announced in June at the Greater Jacksonville Sports Awards, the third annual award show highlighting the top performances in high school athletics across Northeast Florida.

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QB Sam Edwards, Sr., St. Augustine

Steady passer spurred Jackets to brink of Class 6A final; threw for 2,233 yards, 21 TD with 62 percent completion, plus 551 rushing yards and 9 TDs.

RB Myles Montgomery, Sr., Fletcher

Cincinnati signee gained 4,118 rushing yards for his Senators career; finished with 1,401 yards, 16 TDs in interrupted season, despite opponents loading box.

RB Jaison Patterson, Sr., White

Gateway Conference rushing leader ran for 1,822 yards, 16 TDs, including a 398-yard outing against Bishop Kenny; signed with Bowling Green.

RB Al'Querious Ray, Jr., Clay

Bulldozing back gained 1,898 rushing yards, 24 TDs to lead Blue Devils' turnaround; only seven away from 4,000 mark.

WR Terrance Anthony, Sr., Oakleaf

Breakaway threat for Knights grabbed 56 passes for 898 yards, 11 TDs; finishes with 152 catches, 2,670 career yards.

WR Patrick Bryant, Sr., Atlantic Coast

Teams knew Illinois signee was AC's top threat and still couldn't contain him; caught 44 passes for 942 yards, 7 TDs to fuel Stingrays' playoff run.

WR Davis Ellis, Sr., Bolles

Topped 1,000-yard mark (1,004) receiving, with 41 catches and 10 TDs, as Bulldogs made Class 4A final; gained 2,761 receiving yards in three years.

TE Nick Elksnis, Sr., Episcopal

Future Gator led Episcopal into postseason with 21 catches, 425 yards, 5 TDs in seven games; added 5 1/2 sacks on defense.

OL Austin Barber, Sr., Trinity Christian

Uncompromising, mauling blocker was a constant on Conquerors' championship team; signed with Florida.

OL Mike Bartilucci, Sr., Fletcher

The Citadel commit paved way for outstanding Senators ground attack.

OL Ray Bolden, Sr., Westside

Two-time All-First Coast pick a two-way standout for Wolverines; delivered several sacks on defense.

OL Cam Neal, Sr., Bolles

A constant on a line that carried on the Bulldogs' blocking tradition, all the way to the 4A final.

OL Damontae Gibson, Sr., Baker County

Standout blocker to clear holes for the Wildcats' four-pronged ground assault.

ATH Cam Miller, Jr., Fernandina Beach

Led Pirates to first-ever playoff win with 1,039 yards rushing (16 TDs), 957 passing; 3 INTs on defense.

ATH Jaquez Moore, Sr., Suwannee

All-around athlete carried Bulldogs with 1,259 passing yards, 1,270 rushing yards, 35 combined TDs; Duke signee added two picks, two forced fumbles on defense.

ATH Eric Weatherly, Jr., Bartram Trail

Top returner in Northeast Florida with three scores off kicks and punts; racked up 1,441 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs.

K David Kemp, Sr., Bartram Trail

Strong-legged kicker bound for Memphis with 12 made field goals, including a 54-yard game-winner.

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DE Micah Pollard, Jr., Bartram Trail

Often cited as area's top edge threat; made 11 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, with a pair of forced fumbles and an interception as Bears reached final eight.

DT Jai Robinson, Sr., Lee

Big-time disruptive force in the middle with 16 tackles for loss, 8 sacks; also solid as Generals' punter.

DT Luther McCoy, Sr., Creekside

Minnesota signee commanded double-teams but still inflicted damage; 44 tackles (six for loss), 6 sacks on improved Knights D.

DE Nic Mitchell, Sr., Mandarin

Threat off the edge with 89 tackles, 14 for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 7 1/2 sacks; signed with Mississippi State.

LB Shyheim Brown, Sr., Columbia

FSU signee recorded 64 tackles (7 for loss), 4 sacks, one forced fumble; a menace on special teams with 533 return yards and 4 blocked punts.

LB Branden Jennings, Sr., Sandalwood

All-USA recruit bound for Maryland tackled everything in his path with 127 tackles, 12 sacks.

LB Lucius Lattimore, Sr., Trinity Christian

Hard-hitting, wide-ranging linebacker delivered 90 tackles (11.5 for loss), 4 sacks, three forced fumbles in championship season.

DB Darius Harris, Sr., Fleming Island

Elon-bound corner locked down secondary on a very good Golden Eagles unit; 15 pass breakups and a pick.

DB Jaheim Singletary, Jr., Lee

Five-star prospect shut down his section of the field with 3 INTs, 6 pass breakups when opponents did challenge him.

DB Corey Coley, Sr., Trinity Christian

Teams usually steered clear of Maryland signee in outstanding secondary; picked off three passes and forced a fumble, with 34 tackles.

DB Dequan Stanley, Sr., St. Augustine

Two-way USF signee picked off four passes, forced a fumble as Jackets reached state semi; caught 47 passes for 674 yards, 7 TDs on offense.

ATH Jadon Canady, Sr., Sandalwood

Big-time breakthrough: state-leading 10 interceptions, 8 receiving TDs, two return scores while being nearly unbeatable in coverage.

ATH Caden Fordham, Sr., Bolles

All-around star led Bulldogs into state final; 121 tackles (25 for loss), 4 sacks, two blocked punts, four rushing TDs and capable punting as well.

P Christian Schultz, Sr., Sandalwood

Strong-legged kicker averaged 47 yards per punt; also nailed game-winning field goal at Ocala Trinity Catholic.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB Santino Marucci, Sr., Bartram Trail

New addition boosted Bears with 1,165 passing yards, 338 on ground, 20 combined TDs; signed with Wake Forest.

RB Kade Frew, Jr., Bolles

Gritty runner powered Bulldogs to state final with 1,496 yards, 17 TDs despite missing time midseason; on pace to shatter all-time Bolles record.

RB Erric Smith, Sr., Bradford

Rushed for 1,326 yards, 11 TDs to cap career as Tornadoes' all-time ground leader (3,160 yards).

RB Preston Strope, Jr., Creekside

Touchdown machine for the Knights with 20 TDs, 1,216 yards; handled phenomenal workload (nearly 29 carries per game) as chief offensive threat.

WR Marcus Burke, Sr., Trinity Christian

Fought through injuries to achieve more in a half-season than most players in a career; 29 catches, 510 yards, including game-winner in 3A title game.

WR Rashaud Clark, Jr., Englewood

Starred as receiver, returner amid Rams' struggles: caught 42 passes for 651 yards and 7 TDs, plus 535 yards and two scores on returns.

WR Antwon McCrae, So., Westside

Among Gateway Conference's most explosive talents; broke loose for 1,418 all-purpose yards, 4 picks on D, scoring touchdowns six different ways.

TE Christopher Johnson, Sr., Westside

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All-First Coast Football 2020: Meet the team - The Florida Times-Union