Ed White Commanders:
On the west side of Jacksonville, it’s easy to spot Ed White from Interstate- 295. Most afternoons you’ll see the commander football team practicing on the field. This day it seemed like a typical afternoon at Ed White. The cross country team practiced briefly before the commanders took the field. And at the helm during warm ups was none other than the Head Football Coach Paul Pierson. Pierson is entering his 2nd season as Head Coach after the unexpected replacing of Coach Terry Gilliam. Coach Pierson has a different approach to the game and the team seems to follow his more laid back approach. It’s a formula that led them to the playoffs last year. But Coach Pierson isn’t satisfied with just playoff appearances.
” You can count it (last season) as a success , but I kinda look at it as a failure because we weren’t playing late in December ” – Coach Pierson
With twenty four seniors returning Pierson knows the potential for his team is great. One of the most talented Running Backs in the city is Sr. Taylor Thomas. He leads an offense that can methodically march down the field, or hit you with the big play. And don’t let Taylor’s size fool you, he may be small in stature but he plays big.
The commanders also have leaders Jay Davis (UNC commit) who plays both sides of the ball, and MLB Corey Glass ( soft verbal to Wisconsin) . Glass is a versatile player. What he lacks in size, he makes up with football knowledge. Virtually all the D-line and O-linemen are returning, giving White a wealth of experience in the trenches. This will be the teams strongest unit this season.
Schedule:
ED WHITE HIGH SCHOOL
FHSAA: 6A VARSITY FOOTBALL: REGION 01 – DISTRICT 03
DATE TIME OPPONENT / EVENT VENUE R
08/22/2014 7:00 PM EDT Baker County High School Commander Stadium
08/29/2014 7:00 PM EDT William M. Raines High School Commander Stadium
09/05/2014 7:00 PM EDT Westside High School Commander Stadium
09/12/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Mandarin High School Mandarin High Football Stadium
09/19/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Englewood High School Englewood High School *
09/26/2014 7:00 PM EDT Orange Park High School Commander Stadium *
10/10/2014 7:30 PM EDT at Columbia High School Columbia High School *
10/17/2014 7:00 PM EDT Robert E. Lee High School Commander Stadium *
10/24/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Middleburg High School Middleburg High School *
10/30/2014 7:00 PM EDT Terry Parker High School Commander Stadium *
11/06/2014 7:00 PM EST at First Coast High School BUCCANEER FIELD
* Ed White’s schedule features three contests that not only are the toughest in the city, but could also be three of the toughest in the state. Not only do they begin with Raines but they play Columbia at Columbia in the middle of the season. Then the regular season finale with First Coast should be one to remember.
Outlook:
Playing every play like its your last is something that the coaching staff has instilled in the players. It’s a thought process that will carry the Commanders far this season. Look for Ed White to return to the playoffs and travel into the deep rounds.
