This fall, we’ll be providing more coverage of Jacksonville area teams thanks to our partnership with the NFHS Network. Click here for more information about our expanded coverage.
Tonight at 7 p.m. from Jacksonville, we’ll have video coverage of Sandalwood at Ribault. Join Corey Davis & Andre Ellis for this Duval County showdown. WATCH IT LIVE HERE.
Here is a preview of the game courtesy of DuvalSports.com:
Sandalwood Saints
Coach: Adam Geis
Record: 5-5
Key Players: Antonio Clary (Sr., DB), Jeff Sims (Jr., QB), Taylin Nalls (Sr., WR), Javonte Kinsey (Jr., WR), Walter McClinton (Sr., OL), Kobe Barnes (Jr., DL), Adam Burns (Sr., DB), Calvin Sinclair (Jr., DL), Kaloeb Parker (Jr., DL), Brandon Jennings (So., LB), Clarence Perrier (Sr., DL), Jered Geis (Sr., WR)
Newcomers: Jahlon Wilson (Sr., DB/WR), Kyjuan Herndon (Jr., RB), Kamari Stevens (Sr., OL/DL), Dylan Pate (Sr., ATH), Kingsley Equakun (Sr., OL), Nathan Brady (Sr., OL), Jahquez Robinson (Jr., DB), Matthew Rivera (Jr., WR), Jeremiah Huntley (Fr., ATH)
Outlook: If Geis wasn’t already excited about the upcoming season with 16 starters returning, the addition of eight transfers only solidifies an already potent lineup even more. Nine starters return on both sides of the ball including Sims, Nalls, Kinsey, Geis and Parker on offense and Burns, Perrier, Sinclair and Clary, a Virginia commit, on defense. The addition of Herndon (Trinity), Pate (Trinity), Equakun (Atlantic Coast), Brady (Atlantic Coast), Rivera (Parker) and Stevens will bolster an already loaded offense even more, as will Robinson (Trinity) and Wilson (Trinity) on defense. Newcomer Huntley will be a a huge playmaker and a good go to guy to give Herndon a breather. With such high expectations now how will the Saints handle the pressure, will they fold or will they prove people wrong and make a serious playoff run.
Ribault Trojans
Coach: Kelvin Smith
Record: 7-4
Key Players: Chris Johnson (So., TE/DE), Devin Norman (Sr., WR/DB), Josh Roberts (Sr., RB), Keonta Jenkins (Jr., DB), tony Jenkins (So., OL), Ernest Ricks (So., DB), Matranius Mack (So., RB), Santana Jackson (So., QB), Darnell Wilson (So., LB), Zabian Wilson (Sr., DB)
Newcomers: Bobby Brown (Sr., DB), Shaun Evans (So., DB), Chris Calhoun (Fr., QB)
Outlook: The good news is Ribault is coming off its second straight district title and playoff berth and has ton of momentum heading into the new season. The bad news is they lost 25 seniors from last year and only return three starters back on both sides of the ball and will look to a ton of young guys to fill their roles. Among the new guys expected to have bigger roles on offense are Johnson, Mack, Calhoun and Jackson joining upperclassmen Norman and Roberts in an offense that struggled a lot to find an identity last season. The loss of Jhamaal Marsh and wide outs Mike McCray, Kenneth Channelle and Devon Matthews will be huge tasks to fill but the coaches are confident in their young guys and their capabilities. The defense lost the entire secondary as well in Nick Gardner, Jabari Jaudon and Matthews, filling those holes appears to be Norman and young guys Ricks, Wilson and Evans. Three-peating isn’t out of the ream for the Trojans, if the young guys can limit their turnovers and continue to play solid defense.
Why should you watch: Trailing 14-7 with 20 seconds left, Sandalwood scored cutting the lead to 14-13, however the Saints decided against the tie and went for two only to be denied. You can expect the Saints haven’t forgot about that and will look for revenge.
