Demario Douglas
If you had to pick only one athlete in Northeast Florida to be selected as a picture in the dictionary of the term football player that picture would be of Demario Douglas from Mandarin. Douglas mixed a combination of speed, agility, and pure heart in his 5 foot-8 inch, 175 pound frame to become a larger than life figure on both sides of the ball.
Still in Shock we won STATES! Time to get a ring at Liberty University now!!🙏🏽Shout out to @LoveGoinD1 for the video🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/zzVzWVCWFf
— DeMario Douglas3️⃣ (@popshotta3) December 29, 2018
On offense, Douglas starred at wide receiver amassing 72 catches for 1,382 yards as he created matchup nightmares for defensive backs this season as he torched them for 16 touchdowns on the year. His ability to separate from defenders and be in the right place at the right time allowed his quarterbacks Carson Beck and Tre Lawrence to target him night in and night out without hesitation.
Not to be outdone on offense, Demario also excelled on special teams. With 1,752 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns, Douglas was one of the top performers in our area in those categories. His 77-yard kickoff return versus Sandalwood in the regular season showcased his ability to answer opposing teams big plays with his own.
Demario Douglas answers the Herndon TD with a 77yd kickoff return for a Mandarin TOUCHDOWN! Wow! What speed the mustangs have with Oxendine and Douglas! @DuvalSports
— Andre' Ellis🗯 (@andreellis55) October 12, 2018
Douglas also was a standout at defensive back for the Mustangs. He made an incredible 70 tackles and secured 6 interceptions on the season, creating opportunities for his team to score on defense. His pick 6 in the state playoffs versus heavy favorite Wekiva was the deciding play to send Mandarin to the Final 4 for the first time in school history.
Douglas would save his finest performance for the grandest stage in high school football, the FHSAA state championship game. Against Columbus, Douglas galvanized his teammates and captivated the crowd with play after play. He set a new state championship record with four receiving touchdowns in the game along with 141 receiving yards and also secured an interception in the game.
This guy needs his statue in front of the school by the start of spring. @Mandarin_hs_fb @dreamchaser031 https://t.co/HXr1qGuQzT
— Mike (@reelshotmike) December 9, 2018
Demario is committed to Liberty University and will continue his playing career at the next level in Lynchburg, Virginia. Although he is moving on to college, what he has done on the field in Northeast Florida will stay in the coaches who coached him, the players that lined up beside him and his opponents who respect him.
Gods Plan🔥🙏🏽 @Mandarin_hs_fb @NicaraMack @CoachHughFreeze @Kyle_DeArmon @CoachWimboLU @LibertyFootball pic.twitter.com/ilfkl3XdQl
— DeMario Douglas3️⃣ (@popshotta3) December 16, 2018
Congratulations to Demario Douglas, our 2018 Duval Sports High School Football Player of the Year!
