Taking a look at an upcoming month of spring high school football

SARASOTA — Are you ready for a spring fling with high school football?

As one of the 18 states in the country that allows spring football, Florida for the month of May will have teams installing plays and formations in preparation for fall’s familiar Friday night lights.

Here’s a look back and gaze ahead as teams take the field over the next month as teams can start the first of 20 days on the field Monday, April 28.

Look back at last season’s rankings

Here’s a look back at how our 2024 preseason Top 10 fared.

1. Venice (14-1) won Class 7A state title

2. Manatee (10-2) lost in Class 6A state semifinals

3. Cardinal Mooney (12-1) lost in Class 2A state semifinals

4. Riverview (4-6) lost in Class 7A regional quarterfinals

5. Booker (10-4) lost in Class 3A state semifinals

6. Palmetto (10-2) lost in Class 6A regional quarterfinals

7. Parrish (9-2) lost in Class 6A regional quarterfinals

8. Lakewood Ranch (6-5)

9. Braden River (2-7)

10. Out-of-Door Academy (8-1) lost in SSAA Class 5A state semifinals

Key departures

Stephan Aristil, Palmetto

The Tigers left tackle protected the blindside of QB Jackson Roth while helping Palmetto rush for 2,000 yards and 24 TDs.

Jaylen Bryant, Manatee

As one of the three options at wide receiver for Hurricane quarterback Andrew Heidel, Bryant caught 28 passes for a team-high 675 yards and 11 TDs.

Marquis Brydson, Palmetto

In his first year running the football for the Tigers, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound linebacker on defense rushed for a team-high 951 yards and 16 TDs.

Gage Cameron, Parrish

The heart of the Bulls defense, the FACA All-District selection collected 120 tackles at middle linebacker, along with four sacks and 20 hurries, and was named team MVP.

Richard DePaula, Lakewood Ranch

The FACA All-District selection led the Mustangs with 145 tackles, 10 for losses. DePaula also had two QB sacks and three forced fumbles.

Ryan Downes, Booker

The future QB at Cornell averaged 255 passing yards a game in his only season in a Tornado uniform. Downes completed 105-of-146 passes with 26 touchdowns.

Jermaine Edwards, Parrish

In his final season in a Bull uniform, the FACA All-District selection rushed for 1,001 yards and a team-high 14 TDs.

Andrew Heidel, Manatee

A two-time All-Area selection, Heidel finished his senior season completing 153-of-218 passes for 2,432 yards, 31 TDs, and just four INTs.

Ean Johnson-Kelley, Manatee

The Hurricanes defensive force in the middle collected 46 tackles, 26 for losses. The two-time All-Area selection led the team in sacks (7) and had 21 QB hurries.

Eli Jones, Venice

The future South Florida Bull defensive end finished third on the Class 7A state champions with 126 tackles, and added three QB sacks and two fumbles recoveries.

John Keen, Parrish

A team captain and FACA All-District selection, the Bulls safety registered 65 tackles and defended six passes.

Landon Marsters, Venice

In his only season wearing the green and white, the future player at Air Force led Venice with 178 tackles, earning All-Area and FACA All-District selections.

Chris McCorkle, Cardinal Mooney

The Cougar glue in the secondary, the two-time All-Area selection, now at Kansas, had 43 tackles, three INTs, and 23 passes defensed.

Jayce Nixon, Venice

The transfer from Gaither, who will play collegiately at Northern Iowa, passed for 2,596 yards and 31 TDs in helping Venice to the Class 7A state title.

Marvin Palominos, Out-of-Door Academy

On the offensive line the Thunder’s two-way player helped ODA rush for more than 2,220 yards with numerous pancake blocks. At defensive tackle Palominos finished with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery for a score.

Keishawn Smith, Manatee

The complement to QB Andrew Heidel, the FACA All-District selection rushed for 1,068 yards and 20 TDs, and caught 18 passes for five scores.

Brunno Reus, Venice

In his one season in the green and white the future FSU Seminole finished 9-of-14 on field goals and 91-of-93 on PATs. His 118 total points set a single-season state record for kickers.

Ashton Springfield, Parrish

The FACA All-District selection racked up 94 tackles at defensive end, and led the Bulls with 12 sacks and 23 QB hurries.

Owen Tomlinson, Parrish

A two-time All-Area selection was the FACA All-District punter, averaging 41-yards per kick. Tomlinson also was 4-of-6 on field goals.

Winston Watkins Jr., Venice

The future Ole Miss Rebel filled a number of roles in his only season at Venice. Watkins ran for 110 yards and eight TDs, caught 94 passes for 1,151 yards and 17 TDs, returned 18 kickoffs for 412 yards, and returned 13 punts for 130 yards and a score.

Jamarice Wilder, Venice

“Gata” totaled 1,919 rushing yards, fifth-highest in the state, and ran for 28 TDs. He was a two-time All-Area selection, and was named FACA District MVP.

Key returners

Isaiah Belt, Riverview, Senior

Once again the Rams’ top ball carrier, Belt rushed 155 times for 766 yards and six TDs.

Macaiden Brown, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

Leading from the Cougar back end, the 6-foot, 195-pound cornerback finished last season with 78 tackles, 21 for losses, and two INTs. Brown also totaled eight QB sacks and 13 hurries.

Asharri Charles, Venice, Senior

A two-time All-Area selection, and last season a FACA All-District pick, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end totaled 107 tackles, 15.5 for losses, and Charles led the green and white with 13.5 QB sacks.

Allen Clark, Out-of-Door Academy, Senior

Finishing as the state’s 35th-highest total running back, Clark rushed for 1,524 yards to lead the 8-1 Thunder. The 6-foot, 210-pounder averaged 169.3 rushing yards per game and scored a team-high 22 TDs.

Ronin Dangler, Manatee, Senior

In his first season as a Hurricane middle linebacker, the two-time All-Area selection, and last season a FACA All-District pick, Dangler led the team with 85 tackles, 27 for losses. The 6-foot, 190-pounder added four QB sacks and 10 hurries.

Louisen Desinor, Southeast, Junior

In his first year playing QB, the 6-foot-1, 160-pound sophomore completed 54% of his passes for 1,872 yards, 16 TDs and seven INTs.

Laron Dues, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

Last season a FACA All-District selection, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound safety finished his first season in a Cougar uniform with 81 tackles, four INTs, and 25 passes defensed. Dues also returned four kickoffs for 164 yards, and five punts for 68 yards.

Elijah Golden, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

In his first season in a Cougar uniform, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound edge rusher recorded 61 tackles, 29 for losses, and Golden led the team with 10 QB sacks.

Kevontay Hugan, Booker, Senior

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end led the Tornadoes with 14 sacks while adding 81 tackles, 27 for losses.

Dorien Irving-Jones, Venice, Junior

Sharing the backfield last season with Jamarice Wilder, Irving-Jones gained 1,398 yards and scored 17 TDs.

Connail Jackson, Cardinal Mooney, Junior

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder took over for Carson Beach and finished with 1,604 yards rushing, 23rd highest in the state. Jackson scored 28 TDs, tying for the state high, and averaged 9.5 yards per attempt.

Ka’Marion Jones, Lakewood Ranch, Junior

An All-Area selection, the 5-foot-8, 140-pound Mustang cornerback led the area with six interceptions, one returned for a TD. Jones also defended five passes and recovered two fumbles.

Chauncey Kennon, Booker, Senior

The two-way Tornado, with 21 collegiate offers, caught eight passes at wide receiver for 221 yards and five TDs. At cornerback, Kennon registered 33 tackles and defended 11 passes.

Caiden Lee, Southeast, Senior

A FACA All-District selection, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman recorded a team-high 17 pancake blocks.

Jed MacArthur, Saint Stephen’s, Senior

An All-Area selection, the Falcon linebacker led the team with 76 tackles, 20 for losses. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder added three QB sacks, three hurries, forced two fumbles, and blocked a field goal.

Devin Mignery, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

The dual-threat Cougar QB, last season an All-Area selection, finished 83-of-149 passing for 1,637 yards and 22 TDs. Running the ball, the 6-foot, 205-pounder gained 1,199 yards rushing with nine TDs.

Ben Milliken, Sarasota Christian, Senior

The Blazer quarterback had another fine season, throwing for 2,344 yards on 207-of-345 passing and 32 TDs.

Da’Ron Parks, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

An All-Area selection in his first season in a Cougar uniform, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound left tackle protected the blind side of QB Devin Mignery while helping Mooney runners gain 4,000 yards and score 56 TDs.

Nazir Pitchford, Palmetto, Junior

Was one of three receiving options for QB Jackson Roth. The 6-foot, 165-pound All-Area selection led the Tigers with 43 catches for 752 yards and nine TDs.

Tavares Powell, Southeast, Junior

An All-Area selection, as well as a FACA All-District pick, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver hauled in 42 catches from Seminole QB Louisen Desinor. Powell averaged 19 yards per reception while scoring 12 TDs.

Blake Rouland, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound defensive end/middle linebacker finished the season with 52 tackles, 30 for losses. Rouland tied teammate Elijah Golden with 10 QB sacks while adding 14 hurries.

Tyren Worthham, Booker, Senior

The go-to receiver for Tornado QB Ryan Downes, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder, who has nine collegiate offers, caught a team-high 53 passes for 1,040 yards and 14 TDs.

Kymistrii Young, Cardinal Mooney, Senior

An All-Area pick in his first season with the Cougars, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver caught 25 passes for 626 yards, an average of 25 yards per catch, and 10 TDs.

New head coaches

Mark Cristiani, Riverview

The team’s strength and conditioning coach takes over for Josh Smithers, the Rams’ head coach for eight seasons. Cristiani, a graduate of Venice High, is Riverview’s fourth head coach since the late John Sprague took over the program in 1981. Last season the Rams finished 4-6, losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Devon Gales, North Port

The former Bobcat takes over for Garon Belser, who stepped down after going 13-24 from 2021-2024. This will be Gales’ first head coaching job. The former Bobcat JV head coach had been at Pinellas Park serving as offensive coordinator since 2022. Last season North Port finished 5-5.

???, Booker

The unexpected resignation of Scottie Littles as Tornado head coach and athletic director has left assistant coach Carlos Woods as the interim replacement in both positions. Booker is now accepting applications for a permanent head coach.

New digs at Venice

The Venice High football team now has a facility to match its success. At a cost of more than $10 million, Powell-Davis Stadium has been upgraded with a new Jumbotron, new home and visiting team bathrooms, new home and visitor concession stands, a new apparel store, new field turf, track, press box, scoreboard, and field lightning, while additional seating has been added to the home side of the field.

Field house in progress at Booker

Adjacent to the field at Tornado Alley, construction is underway on a new field house. It will include new lockers, storage, a nutrition bar, video area, and players’ lounge. The field house is scheduled to be completed for the start of next season, but it’s unclear right now whether the resignation of head coach Scottie Littles will affect that timetable.

Must Venice simply reload, or rebuild?

The cost of winning the Class 7A state title for head coach John Peacock was losing many of the players who won it for him. Gone is the multi-purpose Winston Watkins Jr., quarterback Jayce Nixon, running back Jamarice Wilder, wide receiver Ryan Matulevich, defensive lineman Eli Jones, linebacker Landon Marsters, defensive back Kyni Brantley, and kicker/punter Brunno Reus. Peacock has several returners, among them running back Dorien Irving-Jones and defensive end Asharri Charles, but a question mark remains at quarterback. Venice most certainly will receive a transfer, but also in the hunt for the starting job will be returner and home-grown product Alex Schafer.

What must Booker, Cardinal Mooney, and Manatee do to advance past state semis?

As is the case with most winning programs, once a goal is reached, anything less that follows is considered a letdown. The Cougars, state champs in 2023, lost last season in the state semifinal round. The Tornadoes reached the state semis in ’23, and lost last season in the same round. Only Manatee took a step further than the year before, advancing to the state semis. All three teams are in varying states with regard to returning players. While Mooney returns QB Devin Mignery and RB Connail Jackson, the Tornadoes lose QB Ryan Downes, and RBs DJ Johnson and Rashawn Peterson. Meanwhile, Manatee must find replacements for QB Andrew Heidel, RB Keishawn Smith, and DL Ean Johnson-Kelley. All three teams must avoid injuries, mistakes, possible transfers, and deal with the inevitable weird bounces of an oblong hung of leather.

What can he do for an encore?

Last season as a freshman, Booker’s Tyree Mannings proved a threat every time he touched the ball. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder rushed for 280 yards, had 838 yards in receptions, and 358 yards in kickoff returns. Mannings’ 11 TDs were fourth on the Tornadoes.

Which second-year HC might see the most improvement?

Last season rookie head coaches Jason Grain (Braden River, 2-7 record), Ace Sanders (Bayshore, 1-9), Eric Sanders (Palmetto, 10-2), Amp Campbell (Sarasota, 3-7), Chris Valcarcel (Saint Stephen’s, 3-6), and Curt Bradley (Southeast, 5-5) all experienced varying levels of success. But heading into this season, Bradley returns his starting QB, his top three RBs, five of his top WRs, eight of his top 10 tacklers, and his top CB.