To say 2016 was a banner year for high school football, is an understatement. A record four area teams made it to Orlando and two brought home state titles.
Trinity Christian won its fourth state title in a row and University Christian won its second in a row (9th overall), while Bolles finished as state runner-up again.
But it was blue collar lunch pail team from Ponte Vedra that shocked many by winning 14 in a row before stumbling in the Class 5A state title game.
Lee brought alumni back and had the whole city supporting its run to the state semi-finals and sent a message to everyone too, “WERE BACK”.
These are just some of the stories of the past football season along with the stories comes great players too.
Here is the inaugural Duval Sports All-Area football team.
Third team
LB – Max Pearl (Sr., Bolles)
Stats: 65 tackles, 5 sacks
LB – Forrest Andrews (Sr., Bolles)
Stats: 69 tackles, 5 sacks
LB – Kelvin Perry (Sr., UC)
Stats: 25 tackles, 4 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 2 INT, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive touchdowns
LB – Devin Runnels (Sr., Baldwin)
Stats: 76 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception
LB – Levi Mumford (Jr., West Nassau)
Stats: 76 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 INT
DL – James Sasser (Sr., UC)
Stats: 34 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 1 safety, 1 INT
DL – Zac Appelo (Sr., Christs Church)
Stats: 30 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT, 2 fumble recoveries
DL – Lowell Reed (So., Fort White)
Stats: 51 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries
DB – Xavien Jenkins (Sr., Bradford)
Stats: 3 INT, 62 tackles
DB – Bryson Kirkey (So., Bolles)
Stats: 3 INT
DB – CJ Grimes (So., Bolles)
Stats: 3 INT
DB -Dyrell Stubbs (Jr., UC)
Stats: 3 INT, including 2 in Class 2A state championship game
ATH – Elliot Miller (Sr., Fernandina Beach)
Stats: 4 INT, 38 of 92 for 665 yards, 4 TD/4 INT
ATH -Walker Bean (Jr., Fernandina Beach)
6 sacks, 50 tackles, 9 catches for 324 yards, 36.0 ypc, 2 TD
ATH- Jacob Reeves (So., Christ’s Church)
Stats: 43 tackles, 4.8 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 block punt
P -Tyler Schelege (Sr., Episcopal)
Stats: 22 punts, 39.0 average, 50 long, 6 of 7 FG
