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.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
LB – Evan Martin (Sr., Clay)
Stats: 118 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
LB – Dequan Jackson (Jr., Lee)
Stats: 74 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries
LB – Thomas Frazer (Sr., Paxon)
Stats: 98 tackles, 7 sacks
LB – Bradley Jennings (Sr., Sandalwood)
Stats: 103 tackles, 5 sacks
DL – Cameron Potter (Sr., Suwannee)
Stats: 102 tackles, 7 tackles for loss
DL – Brandon Mackney (Sr., Fleming Island)
Stats: 57 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss
DL – Jaalen Ford (Sr., Ribault)
Stats: 75 tackles, 3 sacks
DL – Jaylen Joyner (Jr., Ribault)
Stats: 60 tackles, 4 sacks
DB – Travis Hupp (Sr., Middleburg)
Stats: 6 INT, 51 tackles
DB – Marquez Delafield (Sr., Clay)
Stats: 4 INT, 51 tackles
DB – Andrew O’Dare (Sr., Ponte Vedra)
Stats: 4 INT, 85 tackles, 2 QB hurries, 5 passed deflected
DB – Vincent Davis Jr. (Jr., Lee)
Stats: 4 INT, 45 tackles
ATH – Kenny Logan (So., Menendez)
Stats: 5 INT, 65 carries for 445 yards and 3 TD, 13 catches for 293 yards, 22.5 ypc, 3 TD
P – Josh Briones (Sr., Sandalwood)
Stats: 17 punts for 44.1 average, 55 long
