Football previews, 1M/1S/1R: Can Trinity Christian chase down 10th FHSAA championship?
Through 100 wins. Then 200. Then 300.
One state championship. Then five. Then nine.
When Verlon Dorminey stepped onto the sideline in 1991 for his first game as head coach of a then-downtrodden Trinity Christian football program, he wasn't envisioning a career that would carry him into Florida's football stratosphere.
"I didn't think I'd be doing it this long," Dorminey said. "I thought maybe I'd do it about 20 or 25 [years] and then be done."
He's not done yet, and with a galaxy of stars on offense, the nine-time Florida High School Athletic Association champion and his Conquerors team are setting their sights on a tenth as they enter the new Class 1M football season.
Milestones on the road to 300: Trinity Christian football coach Verlon Dorminey's top career wins
Trinity brings back a starting quarterback bound for LSU, a two-time 1,000-yard running back, a pair of starting receivers with commitments to Football Bowl Subdivision college programs and confidence in abundance. And after winning it all in 2002, 2003, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2021, Dorminey and his staff own a track record like no other among active Northeast Florida coaches.
But, for a change, the Conquerors aren't marching into August as reigning regional champions. That honor belongs to cross-town and cross-river rival University Christian, which downed Trinity in last year's Region 1-1M final for their first win in the series since 1992.
The score that day: University Christian 36, Trinity Christian 27. The sting, for Trinity, still lingers. The wait for title No. 10 stretched on.
"It's something that's been talked about a lot in the locker room, the weight room, since Thanksgiving last year," Dorminey said. "It's been a situation where it didn't sit well and we didn't leave the field with a good taste in our mouth."
LAST HURRAH FOR HURLEY, TEAMMATES
With 3,673 passing yards through his freshman and sophomore seasons, plus a sliver of eighth grade on varsity, Colin Hurley might be on pace to challenge the top of Northeast Florida's all-time stats list — if he had two years left.
But once the Super 11 quarterback announced last November that he would graduate early and reclassify to the 2024 class, the clock jumped one year closer to his final Jacksonville snap. The 2023 campaign will be the last one in Trinity blue and black for the LSU-committed Hurley, who was selected to the Elite 11 showcase this summer and fought through injury to pass for 1,444 yards in 2022.
Hurley is far from the only Conqueror starter on offense ready for one last hurrah at Trinity, and for the ball handlers on this senior class, there's no doubt about their credentials.
Running back Darnell Rogers, stepping into the full-time starting role after the graduation of Treyaun Webb, rumbled for a combined 2,379 yards in the past two seasons. And fellow seniors Miles Burris and Kyle Boylston combined for 14 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards receiving in 2022.
Through three years together and FHSAA titles from 2020 and 2021, they've built camaraderie, winning habits and an expectation for victory.
"It just makes you want to do your individual part even better, because if you know if you do your part, together, as a team, it will come together," Rogers said.
Under the lights: In-depth guide to Northeast Florida high school football for 2023 season
UNDERRATED DEFENSE?
In contrast to past years, when Trinity drew nationwide recruiters to watch elite prospects like Fred Davis, Kevin Toliver and Shaun Wade, this year's Conquerors are generating relatively little power-conference college buzz.
But don't count them out. Trinity Christian snatched 24 takeaways last season and added two more in the spring game against Fletcher.
For the Class of 2024, players like linebacker Bryce Kazmierczak have embraced the mindset of underappreciated overachievers.
"There's a lot of hidden gems on this team," the senior said. "Most of us aren't highly recruited like everybody else, but we're really good."
The linebacker unit, in particular, stands out for Trinity. Kazmierczak finished with four sacks from his post last year, and Cameron Anderson comes back as one of Jacksonville's top tacklers from 2022 with 142 stops (22 for loss) along with six sacks and two interceptions.
JOINING FORCES
Newcomers could help tip the balance Trinity's way in Class 1M.
Among the notable additions this season will be former Middleburg lineman Jaylen Booker, a 290-pound blocker who committed to Bethune-Cookman in June, and wide receiver Nico Weiss, arriving from Bartram Trail.
The offense also adds a transfer at a traditional favorite position for quarterbacks: tight end. That's Lenox Hires, who racked up impressive numbers (54 catches, 544 yards, eight touchdowns) during his sophomore year at Christ's Church, including nine receptions for 136 yards against the Conquerors last October.
The challenge now for Trinity's newcomers to adapt quickly if they're going to make the difference in what could well become a two-part series — one regular season, one postseason — against University Christian.
Last year's playoff exit was only the fifth time in the last 14 years — 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019 were the others — in which the Conquerors missed out on the final four. This year's Conquerors feel the motivation to avoid a repeat, and to keep the ball rolling toward Dorminey's title No. 10.
"It pushes us," Rogers said. "Every time we complain about being tired or having to work so hard, we think about the time that we came up short last year, how we felt that year. And we don't want to have that feeling again."
DISTRICT 1-1M
NORTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL
Head coach: Jamaal Fudge, first year.
Last year: 4-5.
Key returners: Tre'von Burris (DB, So., 5-8, 170); Devon Gordon (RB, Sr., 5-9, 205); Zion Polite (DB, Jr., 5-8, 180); Exavior Sherrod (WR, Jr., 6-2, 215); Tyreese Williams (DE, Sr., 6-4, 235).
Key newcomers: Cruz James (QB, 8th, 6-1, 160); Jabari McMillan (DB, Fr., 5-8, 170).
Outlook: Former Jaguars defensive back Fudge takes the helm of an Eagles program in search of stability after a revolving door of coaches for the past seven years. NFEI can lean on Gordon and several other seasoned returners as building blocks in an unforgiving district that includes two recent state champions.
PROVIDENCE
Head coach: Maurice Williams, second year (5-5).
Last year: 5-5.
Key returners: Sam Hayward (ATH, Jr., 6-3, 210); Jett Hood (RB/CB, Sr., 5-10, 175); John King (LB, Sr., 6-2, 215); Samuel Peters III (OL, Sr., 6-2, 290); Anthony Prevalon (OL/DL, Jr., 6-4, 255); Tiago Tauler (RB/S, Sr., 5-11, 185); Ben Turner (G, Sr., 6-4, 307).
Key newcomers: Mason Williams (QB, Jr., 6-1, 218).
Outlook: Appropriately enough for a team coached by former Jaguars offensive tackle Williams, the line is the strength of a Stallions squad that returns 14 seniors. Keeping pace with Trinity and University Christian is naturally a challenge, but Providence can count on one of the area's most complete junior athletes in two-way end Hayward, who's getting recruiting looks from schools like Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
TRINITY CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Verlon Dorminey, 33rd year (317-82).
Last year: 11-1; lost 36-27 to University Christian in Region 1-1M final.
Key returners: Cameron Anderson (LB, Sr., 5-11, 192); Kyle Boylston (ATH, Sr., 6-1, 180); Miles Burris (WR, Sr., 6-2, 187); Tyler Cline (OL, Sr., 6-3, 275); Colin Hurley (QB, Sr., 6-2, 215); Jaykob Jones (DB, Sr., 6-0, 170); Bryce Kazmierczak (LB, Sr., 6-1, 230); Darnell Rogers (RB, Sr., 5-9, 184)
Key newcomers: Jaylen Booker (OL, Sr., 6-4, 290); Lenox Hires (TE, Jr., 6-3, 228).
Outlook: The march is on for a possible 10th title for Trinity. As always, they've got a chance, and it's likely that not one but two meetings with University Christian will be required to settle this region. LSU-bound Hurley has the arm to make all the throws, Rogers is a proven ground gainer stepping up into the leading role and Burris and Boylston combine in an outstanding receiving corps. If Trinity holds up in the trenches, this year could be special.
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN
Head coach: David Penland III, 13th year (114-38).
Last year: 11-2; lost 34-29 to Clearwater Central Catholic in Class 1M state semifinal.
Key returners: Jenoa Alford (WR, Jr., 5-10, 165); Dahkari Gilley (ATH, Sr., 6-2, 190); Ryan Oakley (S, Sr., 5-10, 165); Kamari Perkins (OL, Sr., 6-1, 295); Dwayne Stuckey (QB, Jr., 5-11, 185); Luke Thomas (LB, Sr., 6-0, 200); Alan Woods (RB, Sr., 5-9, 190).
Outlook: UC did more than just testing Trinity's district dominance in 2022, knocking them out of postseason to lift this private-school rivalry to a new level. Gilley and Thomas are battle-tested seniors on a powerful defense. Woods, who previously waited behind All-First Coast player of the year Orel Gray, possesses similar explosiveness and could be poised for a breakout year of his own.
DISTRICT 3-1S
ST. JOSEPH
Head coach: Cash Forbrich, first year.
Last year: 2-7.
Key returners: Patrick Fields (QB, Sr., 6-5, 180); Jack Fox (TE, Jr., 6-1, 190); Ryan Guernick (LB, Jr., 6-1, 175); Jeremiah Kes (WR, Jr., 5-11, 165); Clayton Kennedy (OL/DL, Sr., 6-1, 235); Caden Wentzlaff (OL, Sr., 6-1, 220).
Key newcomers: Asher Glisson (WR/LB, Fr., 5-9, 165).
Outlook: Former St. Augustine lineman Forbrich steps up as head coach as the Flashes try to halt a skid of four sub-.500 seasons in District 3-1S, which also includes P.K. Yonge and Ocala Trinity Catholic. Despite low roster numbers, the line returns nearly intact, a plus with St. Joseph incorporating more of the passing game with quarterback Fields.
DISTRICT 3-1R
FORT WHITE
Head coach: Demetric Jackson, 15th year and first of current stint (90-61); 17th year overall (105-70).
Last year: 6-5; lost 36-0 to Madison County in Region 3-1R quarterfinal.
Key returners: Hayden Adams (ILB, Sr., 5-10, 190); Garett Brady (WR/DB, Sr., 6-2, 180); Gavin Heaton (DB, Sr., 5-9, 175); Tristian Johnson (OL, Sr., 5-11, 225); Robert McIntyre (OL/DL, Sr., 6-3, 300); Tafari Moe (WR/DB, Jr., 6-1, 185); Dakota Philpott (OL, Sr., 6-0, 235); Najeeb Smith (WR/DB, Sr., 5-9, 160).
Key newcomers: Lecosta Byrd (LB, Jr., 5-11, 225); DaKota Fisher (RB, Sr., 5-10, 180); Jayden Jackson (QB, So., 6-0, 170); Jaden McCray (DE, Fr., 6-0, 255); Chris Smith (NG, Jr., 5-10, 280).
Outlook: He's back: Demetric Jackson, the most successful coach in Fort White history, returns to the program after two seasons at Columbia. The program also picks up two notable Tiger transfers in Jayden Jackson, the head coach's son, and linebacker Byrd. Size in the trenches will be a Fort White strength, along with the explosiveness of all-around athlete Smith, who picked up 1,411 all-purpose yards in 2022.
HILLIARD
Head coach: Daniel Thomas, first year.
Last year: 7-3; lost 31-13 to Mayo Lafayette in Region 3-1R semifinal.
Key returners: Camauri Bolden (DB, So., 6-0, 175); Jake Franklin (DB, Sr., 5-10, 180); Ryland Hall (OL, Sr., 6-5, 260); Damon Kibler (LB, Sr., 6-0, 190); Tucker Pickett (DE, Sr., 6-2, 230); Blake Ray (OL, Jr., 6-5, 310); Nate Vroman (WR/S, Sr., 5-6, 155).
Key newcomers: Trey Matthews (LB, 6-0, 190); Earl Moore (WR/DB, Sr., 5-11, 175); Jaiden Rollo (QB, 5-9, 170); Kevin Thomas (WR, Sr., 6-4, 180).
Outlook: Former Flashes star Thomas comes home to lead a Hilliard team that's grown into a perennial playoff contender in the FHSAA's rural class. Although Hilliard must replace a four-year starting quarterback in Lyle Bennett, the Red Flashes bring back power in the trenches and a pass rusher in Pickett who recorded 14 sacks in the past two seasons.
UNION COUNTY
Head coach: Andrew Thomas, fourth year (28-8); 13th year overall (114-30).
Last year: 8-3; lost 21-11 to Bratt Northview in Class 1R state semifinal.
Key returners: Tucker Baynard (OL, Sr., 6-1, 285); James Cox (TE/LB, Sr., 6-0, 208); Dayquan Diston (ATH, Sr., 5-10, 165); Gavin Jenkins (WR, Jr., 6-2, 168); Jacob Jenkins (DT, Sr., 6-3, 325); Thomas Williams (RB/LB, Sr., 5-11, 190).
Outlook: Graduation losses on offense are extensive but need not thwart the Fightin' Tigers' postseason hopes. Williams, who rushed for 11 touchdowns in 2021 and tallied 13 1/2 tackles for loss in 2022, brings strength to both sides of the ball and Jenkins is a budding deep threat with more than 20 yards per catch last year.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school football 2023: Trinity, University Christian previews
