GAINESVILLE (December 13) — The finalists for the 2017 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football and Football Coach of the Year have been announced following balloting by a statewide panel of high school football coaches and prep media representatives.
Every finalist was the leading vote-getter in his classification, making each one the Player of the Year or Coach of the Year in his class. The two overall winners will be announced following a final round of balloting by coaches and media. Area winners in bold.
2017 Mr. Football Finalists:
Lorenzo Lingard, Senior, Running Back, Orange City University, Class 8A Player of the Year
Lingard rushed for 1,701 yards on 207 carries (8.2 avg.) with 26 touchdowns in only nine games. He has committed to the University of Miami.
Bryce Carpenter, Senior, Quarterback, Venice, Class 7A Player of the Year
Carpenter led his team to the state title completing 191-of-315 passes for 3,053 yards with 42 TD passes and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,274 yards on 273 carries with 22 TDs. He has committed to Coastal Carolina University.
Brian Snead, Senior, Running back, Armwood, Class 6A Player of the Year
Snead led his team to the state championship game by rushing for 1,329 yards on 198 carries (6.7 avg.) with 16 TDs. He also caught 24 passes for 211 yards and three TDs. He has committed to Ohio State University.
Quadry Jones, Senior, Quarterback, Orlando Jones, Class 5A Player of the Year
Completed 137-of-199 passes (68.4%) for 2,620 yards with 33 TD passes and two interceptions. Also rushed for 320 yards on 40 carries with four TDs.
Ivory Durham IV, Senior, Quarterback, Jacksonville Raines, Class 4A Player of the Year
Led his squad to the state championship, completing 166-of-243 passes for 3,002 yards with 35 TDs and seven interceptions while also rushing for 365 yards on 53 carries (6.9 avg.) with nine TDs.
Jordan Travis, Senior, Quarterback, The Benjamin School, Class 3A Player of the Year
Completed 130-of-213 passes for 2,190 yards with 24 TDs and seven interceptions. Rushed for 905 yards on 70 carries (11.8 avg.) and 16 TDs. Has committed to the University of Louisville.
Jaylin Jackson, Senior, Quarterback, Cambridge Christian, Class 2A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state Final Four by completing 150-of-263 passes for 2,883 yards with 34 TDs and 11 interceptions. Also rushed for 702 yards and 11 TDs and on defense had four interceptions.
Derrick Staten Jr., Senior, Running Back, Madison County, Class 1A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state title by rushing for 1,342 yards on 119 carries (11.3 avg.) with 17 TDs. Also caught 33 passes for 640 yards (19.4 avg.) and six TDs. Had 663 yards in punt and kickoff return yardage with six returns for touchdowns.
Noah Mumme, Senior, Quarterback, Satellite, Independent Player of the Year
Completed 166-of-215 passes (74%) for 2,322 yards with 27 TDs and 10 interceptions. Also rushed for 726 yards on 102 carries (7.2 avg.) and 12 TDs.
2017 Football Coach of the Year Finalists:
Rodney Wells, Dr. Phillips, Class 8A Coach of the Year
Led his squad to a 13-2 record and the state championship. In seven years as head coach has compiled an 81-14 record with a state runnerup finish in 2016.
John Peacock, Venice, Class 7A Coach of the Year
Led his squad to a 14-1 record and the state championship. In 11 years at Venice he has posted a 108-25 record with a state semifinal appearance in 2016.
Max Edwards, Northwestern, Class 6A Coach of the Year
Led his squad to a 13-2 record and the state championship. In three years at Northwestern, Edwards has posted a 29-9 record.
Jamie Rodgers, Glen St. Mary Baker County, Class 5A Coach of the Year
In his second year at Baker County, Rodgers led his squad to a 13-2 record and a state runner-up finish, losing to nationally-ranked American Heritage in the title game. His two-year record is 22-4.
Deran Wiley, Jacksonville Raines, Class 4A Coach of the Year
Led his squad to a 13-1 record and the state title. In nine years at Raines has posted an 80-30 record with a state runner-up finish in 2015 when he was named state coach-of-the-year.
Dameon Jones, Chaminade-Madonna, Class 3A Coach of the Year
In his second year at Chaminade, Jones led his squad to an 11-2 record and a state championship. He has posted a 21-6 record at the school with an overall record of 92-24 (nine years at Hallandale High School).
Dennis Marroquin, Champagnat Catholic, Class 2A Coach of the Year
In his third year at Champagnat, he led his squad to a 9-2 record and a state championship. In three years at Champagnat he has posted records of 3-7, 11-2 and 9-2, including a state runnerup finish in 2016.
Mike Coe, Madison County, Class 1A Coach of the Year
Coe led his squad to a 14-0 record and the state championship. In eight years at the school he has an 84-19 record with state runner-up finishes in both 2011 and 2012.
Tod Creneti, St. Stephen’s, Independent Coach of the Year
Led his squad to a 10-0 record and the Sunshine State Athletic Conference championship. In seven years he has posted an 80-30 record, going from an 0-10 mark in his first season to this year’s unbeaten finish.
