Vanguard (Ocala) Knights (Class 6A-District 5)
2013 Record: 5-6
Head Coach: Edwin Farmer (1st year)
Key Players: Quantez Speed (DB/WR, Sr.), Donte Lecorn (DB, Sr.), Eddie Jackson (DB/WR, Sr.), Cameron Burton (LB, Sr.), Alex Jones (OT/DT, Sr.), Jared Coney (DT/OT, Sr.), Alonzo Taylor (RB, Jr.), Chris Bruce (K/TE, Sr.)
Outlook: Vanguard lost 23 players to graduation and its head coach, Alex Castaneda, who retired last season after leading the Knights to the postseason in four of his five seasons. Farmer, who was a defensive coordinator under Castaneda and a Vanguard alum, isn’t feeling any pressure heading into his first season as head coach for the red, white and blue.
“It’s still football, and I love what I’m doing,” Farmer told the Ocala Star Banner. “I’m preparing and getting the players ready just as I did as a defensive coordinator. If you’re prepared, you won’t have any pressure.”
Despite the loss of the their best offensive player, Wisconsin signee Natrell Jamerson, and QB Adam Robles, who is walking on at USF, the Knights do return some experience. N’Kosi Perry got some valuable time at QB when Robles was hurt at the end of last season, and the rising sophomore threw for 377 yards and four TDs in only two games. Taylor, a transfer from Lake Weir, ran for 714 yards as a sophomore.
Burton, who had 75 tackles and 11 TFL, will be one of the leaders on defense for Farmer, who will continue to call the defensive plays.
2014 Football Schedule
Friday, August 22 – at Forest (Ocala), 7 p.m. (Preseason)
Friday, August 29 – vs. Palatka, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 5 – at North Marion (Citra), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 12 – vs. West Port (Ocala), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 19 – vs. Lake Minneola, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 26 – vs. Bolles (Jacksonville), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 3 – at Citrus (Inverness), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 17 – at Gainesville, 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 24 – at Lake Weir (Ocala)), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 31 – vs. Forest (Ocala), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, November 7 – at Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 7:30 p.m.
*District game
“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 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)
