Top 5 SWFL spring football storylines to watch include new coaches and returning talent
Who's ready for spring football?
With practices starting Monday, it's a good time to look ahead at the exciting narratives that will emerge after an exciting season last fall.
Remember, teams are allowed 20 days of practice, including playing in a spring football game or jamboree.
The coaching carousel did its thing, and teams are set to have new players joining their ranks — though transfers that don't fall under the "Good Cause Clause" won't get a chance to play in spring games.
More: FHSAA does not vote on proposal to allow transfers to play in spring football games
Here are some of the top storylines:
How will new head coaches fare?
Let's recap some of the coaching turnover.
Nick Bigica resigned at Golden Gate and was replaced by Immokalee coordinator Nick Citro. Gulf Coast parted ways with Todd Nichols and hired former Lehigh defensive coordinator Manny Evans to lead the Sharks going forward. Cullen O'Brien stepped down at Gateway, and Charles Powell is taking over. Bonita Springs is searching for a head coach to replace Rich Dombroski, who resigned in March. Assistant coach Isaac Harvin will ascend to head coach at Cape Coral with Larry Gary in a consulting role.
The spring will be a good opportunity to learn who is most poised for success in Year One.
Deep quarterback, running back talent coming back
Several Southwest Florida squads are well positioned for success with continuity with quality talent in the backfield.
Look at Bishop Verot — the duo of Michigan commit Carter Smith at quarterback and running back DeShon Jenkins, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season, automatically sets the Vikings up nicely.
Dunbar returns quarterback Austin Price and running back Chris Singleton, key players on the Tigers' run to the Final Four last year.
Golden Gate's historic season was anchored by running back Trayvon Jean and an improving young quarterback in Sam Powell.
You can't forget Naples' Shawn Simeon, who showed out for a historic 7-touchdown playoff performance against Port Charlotte last year. East Lee County's Laz Rogers and Riverdale's Cole Hayes made waves last year, and First Baptist returns Ethan Crossan for his senior year after leading the Lions to a state title in 2022.
Both Barron Collier quarterback Niko Boyce and Lehigh rising senior quarterback Dorian Mallary have made names for themselves since they were freshmen. CSN quarterback Cale Austin, Estero running back Malik Allen, Lely running back Nino Joseph, South Fort Myers running back Victor Jenkins, Island Coast's Gervaris Leaphart and Oasis running back Fred Harley Jr. are more names to remember.
To put it simply: Southwest Florida is loaded with experienced playmakers.
Intriguing matchups
The spring schedule is set and there are several matchups of intrigue you'll want to check out.
Dunbar will go on the road to face Mariner, a breakout team last year that should have a new look with several seniors leading their run to the postseason. Bishop Verot will host a jamboree with Sarasota Riverview and Christopher Columbus. Estero and North Fort Myers are two interesting teams heading into the fall, and the Red Knights will host this matchup. There will be plenty of talent on the field with Immokalee hosting a jamboree with East Lee County and Okeechobee. And lastly, Naples will put themselves to the test when they travel to Venice for their spring game.
'Next man up' at Dunbar
No team has reliably reloaded like the Tigers in recent years. Still, they graduated plenty of top talent, like wide receivers TJ Abrams and Eric Fletcher, linebacker Kye Garcia, defensive back Kelby Tyre and defensive end Vanier Baptiste.
There will be plenty of ascendant talent to look out for in Dunbar's spring game. At wide receiver, it's clear Da'mari Loggins, who averaged nearly 20 yards per reception, and chain-mover Camden Rivera will have opportunities. The defensive line will be in good hands with Mint Edwards and Henry Brown, who were both incredibly productive last season. In the secondary, look out for Garyan Burger and Ken'Dahrius Green, who both made big plays in the Tigers' postseason run.
Who is going to catch passes from Carter Smith?
The area's top quarterback will be in need of some weapons with more than 65 percent of the team's receiving yards coming from seniors Matthew Turner and Tookie Watts — plus tight end Timmy Lawson will be heading off to North Carolina.
Verot's spring clash with Sarasota Riverview and Christopher Columbus will be a chance to see who might be some of Smith's top targets ahead of the upcoming season.
Lee and Collier County 2024 Spring Game Schedule
Here's how to watch Lee and Collier County teams in action this spring. CSN, Marco Island, and First Baptist do not have spring games on their schedule.
Thursday, May 16
Canterbury at Glades Day, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 18
Lemon Bay at St. John Neumann, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21
Charlotte at Barron Collier, 6 p.m.
South Fort Myers at Palmetto Ridge, 7 p.m.
Naples at Venice, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22
Gulf Coast at Ransom Everglades, 6 p.m.
Lehigh at Golden Gate, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 23
Lake Wales at Fort Myers, 6 p.m.
Gateway Charter at Bell Creek Academy, 7 p.m.
Dunbar at Mariner, 7 p.m.
Riverdale at Lely, 7 p.m.
East Lee and Okeechobee at Immokalee, 7 p.m. (jamboree)
Oasis at Cape Coral, 7 p.m.
Estero at North Fort Myers, 7:30 p.m.
Cypress Lake at Bonita Springs, 7:30
LaBelle and Smarten at Cooper City, 7:30
Friday, May 24
Aubrey Rogers at ECS, 7
Island Coast at North Port, 7 p.m.
Sarasota Riverview, Columbus at Bishop Verot, 6:30 p.m. (jamboree)
Halifax Academy at SFCA, 7
Ida Baker at Gateway, 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: High school football: Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers area spring storylines to watch
