35 seniors are enough to complete an entire graduating class in some schools. But for the Ribault Trojans, this is close to the number of seniors they lost last year just on the football team. Last year Ribault went to the playoffs and lost to Clay who eventually went deep into the tournament. It’s a bitter taste that senior WR/FS Jante Boston wants to get rid of. It’s hard having a talented team as a junior and losing so many talented players going into your senior year. But a new group of leaders must step up, and this is what Head Coach Anthony Flynn is emphasizing to his team.
No doubt Flynn will rely on his young talented play makers to return to the playoffs. The aforementioned Boston is one of those playmakers. Jante learned early at Scott Park playing youth football that play makers will win games for you. It’s why when asked what type of season he was looking forward to? Boston said 15 Tds and 1,000 yds receiving. He is not short on confidence. Something desperately needed with such a young team following him. Jante is most likely to follow his offensive line if he wants to achieve those goals. And the offensive linemen he’s most likely to follow is Junior Offensive Tackle John Mays.
Mays didnt start playing football until the 9th grade, but he’s made the most out of a short amount of time. Look for him to be a leader on the offensive line.
Two other play makers for the Trojans ar Juniors RB Davonte Lawrence and WR Brandon Thomas. Just like Mays, Lawrence is also looking forward to a great season, and feels like a state championship isn’t so far fetched of a notion for the Trojans. But what else would you expect from kids that played their youth football at Grand Park, the ” Home of the Champions”. Going into his 3rd year, Thomas early leadership will be valuable to this team.
Schedule:
JEAN RIBAULT HIGH SCHOOL
FHSAA: 5A VARSITY FOOTBALL: REGION 01 – DISTRICT 03
DATE TIME OPPONENT / EVENT VENUE R
08/29/2014 7:00 PM EDT First Coast High School Jean Ribault High School *
09/05/2014 7:00 PM EDT Andrew Jackson High School Jean Ribault High School
09/19/2014 7:00 PM EDT Baker County High School Jean Ribault High School *
09/26/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Stanton College Preparatory School Stanton *
10/03/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Bishop Kenny High School Bishop Kenny High School *
10/10/2014 7:00 PM EDT Yulee High School Jean Ribault High School *
10/17/2014 7:00 PM EDT West Side High School Jean Ribault High School *
10/23/2014 7:00 PM EDT at Paxon School for Advanced Studies Eagle’s Field *
10/30/2014 7:00 PM EDT Samuel W. Wolfson High School Jean Ribault High School
Ribault has a favorable schedule this fall. They’ll see tough test against First Coast in the beginning of the season. But if there ever was a time to score an upset over a team its early in the season.
Outlook: The loss of seniors is gut wrenching for any team’s coaching staff. But its also the young players that must overcome the shell shock of not having those seniors. But we expect the Trojans to improve mentally as this is a major focus during practice. With the right mindset, Ribault should finish their season in the thick of a playoff hunt.
-Special thanks to Jean Ribault Senior High, Coach Flynn, and the Mighty Trojan family for supporting Duval Sports.
