Gainesville Hurricanes (Class 6A-District 5)
2013 Record: 9-3
Head Coach: Mark Latsko
Key Players: Calvin Brown (OLB, Sr.), Henry Montgomery (SS, Sr.), Krys Young (CB, Sr.), Ahmad Ivey (CB, Sr.), Reed Armagost (TE, Sr.), Jordan Giberti (DE, Jr.), Caelan Christian (QB, Jr.), Andrew Markham (OG, Jr.), Conrell Peterson (MLB, Jr.), Kyle McGriff (WR, Jr.)
Outlook: Each year it seems the Hurricanes reload. In his first season, Latsko led the defending Class 6A state runners-up to another district and city title. But with only two returning starters on offense and four on defense, they will be challenged to replace the next wave of players from that 2012 team that inked Division-I scholarships this past February in running back Tony James (Oregon), wide receiver Kenric Young (Utah), linebacker/safety Juan Jenkins (Purdue) and linebacker Matt Solt and offensive lineman Byers Hickman (Florida Atlantic).
The 2014 offense will have to find production from its younger players, especially in the backfield. However, Christian, who threw for 924 yards and 13 TDs as a sophomore, returns at quarterback. The ‘Canes are excited about returning three out of four defensive backs, while Giberti (85 tackles, 17 TFL, 13.5 sacks) will anchor the defensive line.
GHS always plays a tough non-district schedule to make sure they are battle tested going into district and postseason play. Postseason hopefuls Crawfordville Wakulla, Lake City Columbia, Tallahassee Lincoln and Madison County, along with Gainesville rivals Eastside and Buchholz, highlight the non-district schedule.
2014 Football Schedule
Friday, August 22 – vs. Heritage (Palm Bay), 7 p.m. (Preseason)
Thursday, August 28 – vs. Columbia (Lake City), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 5 – vs. Eastside (Gainesville), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 12 – at Madison County, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 19 – vs. Lake Weir (Ocala), 7:30 p.m.* (at Hawthorne)
Friday, October 3 – vs. Forest (Ocala), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 10 – at Buchholz (Gainesville), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 17 – vs. Vanguard (Ocala), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 24 – at Citrus (Inverness), 7:30 p.m.*
Thursday, October 30 – vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 7 – at Wakulla (Crawfordville), 7:30 p.m.
*District game
Gainesville High School football news
Gainesville High School website
“The Prep Zone” will count down to kick-off with a daily preview of high school football teams in the North Central Florida area. Here are the future release dates:
CLASS 6A-DISTRICT 5
July 25 – Lake Weir (Ocala)
July 26 – Vanguard (Ocala)
July 27 – Forest (Ocala)
CLASS 6A-DISTRICT 6
July 28 – Springstead (Spring Hill)
CLASS 7A-DISTRICT 3
July 29 – Buchholz (Gainesville)
CLASS 8A-DISTRICT 1
July 30 – West Port (Ocala)
