Football kickoff: How will Northeast Florida's high school independents fare in 2023?
For Beachside, the start of year one was about fun.
The start of year two is about focus.
"When we first came in here, it was a very playful attitude," senior receiver Bryce Gee said. "But now that everybody knows Beachside, everybody knows the name, it's like, 'OK, we've got to start taking stuff serious.'"
The time to begin stepping up is now for St. Johns County's newest high school, as the second-year Barracudas swim into 2023 with high power in the passing game and high energy after a six-win debut season that ranks among Northeast Florida's best opening campaigns for the past quarter-century.
See the Barracudas' new districts: The FHSAA is reclassifying Tocoi Creek and Beachside for many sports. Where will they play in 2023-24?
Head coach Pete Duffy, who won nearly 200 games in California before swapping the Pacific for the Atlantic at the start of 2022, laid the foundation for the new team in lime green, all while adjusting the team's approach to best handle the conditions and the opposition of the Sunshine State.
"[In California] it didn't really get cold until December, and there were no thunderstorms, so we didn't miss any practices and we never got rained on, so the ability to throw the football year-round there is really an advantage in the passing game and defending the pass," he said. "Whereas here, it's a little more structured around running the football and stopping the run."
Beachside won't be playing Florida High School Athletic Association postseason football in 2023, remaining in the independent ranks for one more year ahead of what will likely be placement among the region's larger schools upon reclassification for 2024-25. The work starts now to make sure they're ready for the challenges to come.
"They've done all the weightlifting, they've done all the conditioning, all the speed work, all the 7-on-7 throughout the offseason," Duffy said. "Now they've put themselves in a position to be pretty well prepared."
THE GREAT BARRACUDA AIR SHOW
Just because many Florida teams prefer the ground game doesn't mean the Barracudas have to follow suit.
The Barracudas threw the ball on nearly 60 percent of their offensive snaps in 2022. That led to eye-catching debut numbers downfield, with Cohen Beebe (43 catches for 670 yards), Gee (30 catches for 632 yards) and Dudley (41 catches for 521 yards) all topping the 500-yard mark receivers.
At the heart of Beachside's offense is Gee, who became the school's first player to commit to a Division I football program when he chose Appalachian State at the start of July. After averaging 21 yards per catch last year, he's also targeting a 20-point-per-game season on the basketball court.
The emphasis on the air game likely won't change significantly through a preseason competition with multiple quarterbacks in the mix. Count Beebe among the fans of Beachside's open approach.
"Out here, we passed the ball quite often, so it's fun being able to make those highlight plays and being able to show what we can really do," Beebe said.
BUILDING THE BARRACUDA BARRIER
The Barracudas showed they could score all season long. Slowing down opponents was the challenge, and it led to some high numbers on the scoreboard: 36 points allowed to Tocoi Creek, 34 to Paxon, 41 to Crescent City and 38 to Providence.
To stem the tide, senior captain Dudley is moving over from tight end to the defensive side. It's a new position, but adjustments are nothing new for the versatile Dudley, who also lines up in midfield on the soccer team.
"We really have a culture now and we work as a team," he said. "We all kind of get each other and we just rally off of our energy."
The intensity has already begun to step up, and for Gee, the offense vs. defense battle is spurring the whole roster to improve.
"They go 100 every day," Gee said. "They talk smack to us, we talk smack to them, but they make us get better."
THE BARRACUDA BOOM
Even though he's only been in Florida for a year, Duffy already appreciates the enthusiasm surrounding his new school. The start of preseason practice on July 31 drew a massive turnout, far more than many schools with decades in the books.
"It's refreshing to be in a school and a community where everybody's really excited about football," Duffy said.
Expect that trend to continue for the northern St. Johns County school, located north of County Road 210 in the recently-built Beachwalk development. Because of its surging enrollment, the FHSAA has already bumped Beachside athletics up in classification under Policy 12.2.8.2, although the move is not relevant for football because of the Barracudas' independent status in the sport.
And while the mission in 2023 centers on the hard work of preparation for district play in 2024, the fun isn't going away.
"The culture is building and the energy's high," Dudley said. "So I think we're definitely going to have a good year here and have lots of fun."
Under the lights: In-depth fan guide to Northeast Florida high school football for 2023 season
INDEPENDENTS
BEACHSIDE
Head coach: Pete Duffy, second year (6-3); 23rd year overall.
Last year: 6-3.
Key returners: Brick Balcita (QB, Jr., 6-0, 170); Cohen Beebe (WR, Sr., 5-7, 160); Eddie Craig (LB, Sr., 5-11, 195); Ben Davenport (LB, Sr., 5-10, 205); Will Dudley (TE/LB, Sr., 6-2, 215); Bryce Gee (WR, Sr., 6-2, 185); Ari Graham (OL, Sr., 6-5, 310).
Key newcomers: Aydan Rivera (DE, Jr., 6-0, 225); Drew Watson (WR, So., 5-9, 170).
Outlook: The Barracuda boom is still continuing after last year's six-win campaign, highlighted by fireworks in the air. Those fireworks should continue this fall, with Beebe and Appalachian State commit Gee among St. Johns County's most prolific receiver combinations. The defense is still taking shape, but the parts are in place for another high-scoring year as Beachside steps toward district play in 2024.
BISHOP SNYDER
Head coach: Travis Markoski, ninth year (29-49).
Last year: 5-4.
Key returners: Jordan Bett (WR/DB, Sr., 5-6, 160); John Bishop (QB, Jr., 5-10, 165); Dylan Carter (RB/LB, Jr., 5-9, 175); Joel Lowe (WR/DB, Jr., 6-0, 160); Joseph Morales (RB/DB, Jr., 5-7, 155); Jordan Williams (WR/DB, So., 5-9, 155).
Key newcomers: Kaden Hanifen (DE, So., 6-0, 170); Brandon Navitski (WR, Jr., 5-6, 150).
Outlook: Bishop steps in at quarterback for a junior-heavy team ready to continue building on last year's first-round playoff trip in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference (now Association). The running back tandem of Carter and Morales combined for more than 700 yards as sophomores in 2022.
CEDAR CREEK CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Jamie Gamel, 12th year (44-65).
Last year: 4-4.
Key returners: No information available.
Outlook: A stable system remains in place for the Saints, who climbed to .500 last year. The big question: Will this year's team look more like the first half of 2022, when they began 4-1, or the finish, when they dropped their last three games with 44 or more points allowed in each?
CHRIST'S CHURCH
Head coach: Justin Sirmon, first year.
Last year: 2-8.
Key returners: Ty Cobb (OL, Jr., 6-3, 270); Jackson Hadden (QB, Sr., 6-2, 165); Connor Murray (ATH, Jr., 5-10, 175); Cornel Russell (WR/S, Sr., 5-10, 165); Patrick Setzer (RB/LB, Sr., 5-11, 185).
Key newcomers: Cam Martin (LB, Jr., 5-9, 170); Austin Walker (DE, Sr., 6-0, 200); Kyree Wilson (RB/S, Fr., 5-10, 165).
Outlook: A move to the independent ranks doesn't change the commitment level for the Eagles. The line, anchored by Cobb, stands out as an improved area from the offseason to clear the path for workhorse running back Setzer (564 yards rushing last season). Stepping into the quarterback role this year is the multi-talented Hadden, who's also an outfielder on the baseball diamond and a forward on the basketball court.
DUVAL CHARTER
Head coach: Ralph Graham (first year at 11-man)
Last year: Did not play 11-man football.
Key returners: No information available.
Outlook: It's a return to the 11-man ranks for the Panthers, who previously played 11-on-11 from 2012 to 2017 and qualified for the FHSAA regionals in 2014.
EAGLE'S VIEW
Head coach: Frank Andrea, ninth year (35-43); 11th year overall (42-56).
Last year: 2-6.
Key returners: Cam Brunelle (QB, Jr., 5-10, 150); Logan Disney (TE, Sr., 6-2, 175); Leonard Holton (RB/CB, So., 5-5, 155); Lynden Hurston (C, Sr., 6-0, 220); Austin Marsh (OT, Jr., 6-3, 275); Owen Sheetz (RB/LB, Sr., 6-0, 195); Zach Thompson (LB, Sr., 6-1, 195).
Key newcomers: Patrick Walsh (LB, Jr., 6-0, 180).
Outlook: The Warriors dipped below .500 last year for the first time since 2018 but should rise in the win column this year, particularly with a ground game that includes two returning regulars in Sheetz and Holton.
HARVEST COMMUNITY
Head coach: Nathaniel Whitehead, third year (6-12).
Last year: 3-6.
Key returners: Dereck Colon (RB/LB, Jr., 5-5, 180); Jeremiah Gonzalez (TE/DE, Jr., 6-0, 210); Jaxon Harshman (RB/CB, So., 5-8, 155); Slade Howell (LB, Jr., 5-10, 175); Jaden Senchuk (WR/DB, Jr., 5-8, 170).
Outlook: Among the challenges for the Warriors: replacing the speed of the graduated Zaire Davis, their explosive ground gainer from 2022. Harvest will be fielding a young squad this year with newcomers stepping into expanded roles at multiple positions.
IMPACT CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Bobby Ramsay, second year (1-8); 16th year overall (92-70).
Last year: 1-8.
Key returners: Jaquel Buckman (ATH, Jr., 5-8, 150); El'Jyah Caldwell (ATH, So., 6-0, 200); Noah Christie (OL/DL, Jr., 6-0, 290); Tristen Kelly (DE, Jr., 6-2, 225); Glenn McNeal (OL/DL, So., 6-1, 260); Hans Price (QB, Fr., 6-0, 150); Jordan Williams (OL/DL, Jr., 6-2, 216).
Key newcomers: Jayden Portis (LB, Fr., 5-10, 170); Brian Stamper (DB, So., 6-0, 200).
Outlook: Year one included some growing pains but also reason for encouragement for the Lions and former state champion coach Ramsay. Price threw for 1,303 yards as an eighth-grader and the offensive line will be considerably larger.
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Warren Smith, first year.
Last year: 0-1 (partial schedule).
Key returners: No information available.
Outlook: The Eagles, who will be playing home games at North Jax Sports Association, are moving to a full-length schedule this season as an independent. The schedule consists mostly of fellow independents but will include Class 2S Keystone Heights in October.
PAXON
Head coach: Steve Brown, 11th year (30-69).
Last year: 3-7.
Key returners: Santino Escobar (G, Sr., 5-10, 230); Kenyon Gardner (ATH, Jr., 5-10, 170); Blake Leonard (LB, Sr., 6-1, 210); Vincent Moultrie (OL, Sr., 6-1, 240); Ken Okor (DB, Sr., 5-11, 160); Ke'shawn Pinkney-Rogers (DB, Jr., 5-10, 160); Leonard Whitcomb II (FB/LB, Sr., 5-11, 215).
Key newcomers: Javier Dixon (QB, Fr., 6-0, 200); James Futch (DL, So., 6-0, 220).
Outlook: The excitement comes from the defensive and offensive backfields, where Gardner — called "Jet" at Paxon — averaged more than 7 yards per carry and also contributed as a pass-catcher. Cutting down the turnovers is a key for the Golden Eagles, who roll out a host of new players on offense.
STANTON
Head coach: Mike Healey, ninth year (16-60); 23rd year overall (102-129).
Last year: 1-8.
Key returners: Jackson Cooke (G, Sr., 6-2, 230); Christian Jurj (DE, Sr., 6-4, 240); Owen Peters (QB, Jr., 6-1, 200); Jack Shea (RB, Sr., 6-0, 200); Deshaun Speights (LB, Jr., 5-11, 220).
Key newcomers: Michael Pitre (WR, So., 6-0, 160); Kamron Sharpe (WR, Jr., 6-1, 162).
Outlook: Competing against larger opponents is usually a challenge for the Blue Devils, but veteran coach Healey believes this could be the year the passing game sparks a revival in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. They've got experience behind center with Peters returning for his second season.
TDH ACADEMY
Head coach: Nathan Smith (third year, 5-12).
Last year: 3-6.
Key returners: No information available.
Outlook: The Eagles don't shy away from challenges. Last year it was Oakleaf and Bishop Kenny, while this year's opponents include Union County, Beachside and Pace on the schedule.
YOUNG KIDS IN MOTION
Head coach: Paul Maple (fourth year, 11-14).
Last year: 4-6.
Key returners: Jaiden Baker (RB, Sr., 5-10, 222); Robert Gibbs (FS, Sr., 5-8, 132); Richard Hamilton (G, So., 6-0, 210); Tristen Moore (DE, So., 5-9, 240).
Outlook: Watch for defensive backs in motion. Four returning Ravens each picked off two or more passes in the secondary, and the offensive line also returns four starters from 2022.
ZAREPHATH ACADEMY
Head coach: Ivory Durham, fourth year (9-21).
Last year: 5-7.
Key returners: Terrell Brant (ATH, Jr., 5-11, 180); Jordan Durham (QB, Jr., 6-2, 220); Joshua Jones (WR, So., 6-1, 205); Allan Massaline (RB, So., 5-11, 178); Ocean Swanson (RB, So., 5-11, 225).
Outlook: A schedule including the likes of Hawthorne and Yulee will await the Eagles this fall. They'll bring back one of Northeast Florida's most experienced quarterbacks in Durham, now a fourth-year starter coming off a very productive 2022 (2,607 yards passing, 332 yards rushing).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school football preview 2023: Northeast Florida independents
