Florida Winter 2021-22 by ITG Next Magazine

Champagnat Catholic Kicks Through The Palm Trees to the State Championship Recruitment Tips from Coach Carl Nesmith A Look Into Florida 2022 Baseball Season

Getting Ready for Baseball Season with Jordan Taylor

Top10 Baseball Teams Top 5 Recruits Top 5 Pitchers Top 5 Hitters

WINTER 2021-22

St Johns Country Day

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Where Children Come First wolfsonchildrens.com 800 Prudential Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207

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While so much in our world has changed, kids haven’t. They still want to get outside and play hard. So they may need care for a broken bone — or an illness, like severe stomach pain. Wolfson Children’s Hospital is ready with expert emergency and specialty care, along with precautions to keep your child safe. Don’t put their health on hold. For wait times and a Wolfson Children’s ER near you, visit wolfsonchildrens.com/ER.

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Publisher Mark Dykes Copy Editors Phil Jones Tyrah Walker

Michael Thorn | West Nassau

Recruitment Tips from Coach Carl Nesmith

Stefan Ink | Ponte Vedra

Getting Ready for Baseball Season with Jordan Taylor

Shaniah Stockton | Englewood

Graphics Mandy Rodriguez

Sam Dec | Nease

Cover Photography Kaitlyne Piper

Leyton Nelson | Boone

Featured Photography Kaitlyne Piper Brandon Pham

Jaydan Taylor | Dr. Phillips

Jahiem Odom | Atlantic Coast

Asaad Waseem | West Orange

Callie Carter | First Coast

Player Profile Photography Brandon Pham Allen Allnoch Feature Writers Phil Jones Allen Allnoch Nick Anschultz Janay Brown Tyrah Walker Matt Melton Janah Brown Advertising/Marketing Andrew Pipkin andrew@itgnext.com Mark Dykes mark@itgnext.com Digital Manager Mandy Rodriguez ITG Next is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group LLC makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2021 Dykes Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

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Stories:

Player Profiles

Contributors

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St Johns Country Day

1O Times in a Row

Top 5 Hitters

Top10 Baseball Teams

A Great Team, A Great Coach

Best Cheer Team Ever? West Nassau

Top 5 Recruits

Kayleb Wagner Breaks Florida High School Rushing Record

Montverde Academy Retools for 2021 Season

Block This! Kendall Mignerey

Top 5 Facts About Baseball

Champagnat Catholic Kicks Through The Palm Trees to the State Championship

Heritage’s LJ Turner Named ITG Next Florida November Male Athlete of the Month

Cardinal Mooney’s Jordyn Byrd Named ITG Next Florida November Female Athlete of the Month

Top 5 Pitchers

St Johns Country Day

IMG Academy Stoneman Douglas Jesuit Mosley The First Academy Bolles St Johns Country Day Lakeland Christian Out-of-Door Academy Lake Brantley

Andrew Jackson

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College football recruiting is a game within a game – and a high-stakes one at that. With millions of dollars in scholarships dispensed every year, prospects have much to gain beyond the roaring crowds, message board stardom and Instagram likes. Those scholarship funds aren’t only for NCAA Division 1-caliber athletes, either; assistance is available for students who sign with Division 2 and certain NAIA and NJCAA institutions as well. (Division 3 schools do not award athletic scholarships, but they do grant other forms of financial aid that student-athletes may qualify for.) Carl Nesmith, head coach at Jacksonville’s Joshua Christian Academy and founder of North Florida Elite 7v7, knows all about the recruiting process. A graduate of Raines High School, he played collegiately at Butler Community College and the University of Kansas, then spent a year with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He created North Florida Elite to train local players and give them offseason football experience. More than 20 of his charges have gone on to play in college. We spoke with Carl to get some insight into how student-athletes and their parents can effectively navigate the football recruiting process.

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What’s the most important factor for a student-athlete in the recruiting process?

The main thing is grades. You have to prepare yourself to be taken seriously and understand the importance of education – having the right grades and making sure you get yourself ready for the SAT or the ACT. College coaches don’t spend much time if it’s not worth it – they just kind of eliminate the kids who aren’t real about it. If you have a one-point-five GPA, I don’t care how your Hudl links look or how your stats look; you’re really not going to be taken seriously in terms of being recruited.

What else is important?

Having a clean social media – not showing gang signs and different things people do on those pages and being careful what you say. Just the way you [present] yourself goes a long way. It’s the small things that coaches look for – sometimes that makes the difference in whether they delete you or decide you’re someone that they’re serious about and they really want to recruit and bring to the head coach.

When should students (and their parents) start thinking about recruiting if they aspire to play college football?

Recruiting starts, for the most part, when they get to the ninth grade. Instead of waiting until you get recruited [as an upperclassman], you can go ahead now and start preparing yourself. Make it a habit to get up and work out, learn how to eat better, learn how to take care of your body, make sure you’re on point in taking the right classes and not taking a lot of electives. Just putting yourself on course to being a real student-athlete is very important.

You mentioned Hudl, which has become a popular online platform for players to showcase their skills. How can athletes use that to their advantage and stand out in a crowded field?

If you have a Hudl and you’re in your season, keep it updated and make sure there’s a clear view of your plays. Some players do all these different angles, but I think it’s important to get straight to the best plays. Most coaches aren’t going to sit and watch a whole five-minute highlight film, so I think you need to have eye-catching videos on your Hudl. Your first 15 or 20 seconds need to be the best plays that you have. Make sure the view and the angle are good, that it’s clear, so the recruiter can see it.

RECRUITMENT TIPS FROM What advice do you have for lower-profile athletes, the ones who aren’t necessarily elite-level but for whom there are still scholarships available? I think the number one thing is to be honest with yourself. Everybody is not a D1 kid. Some kids are not realistic about where they can land. You have to be realistic and put yourself in the right lane. If I know I’m not a D1 prospect, I’m not sending my stuff out to Florida State or Nebraska. If I know I’m a D2 kid, I need to stay in that lane and be OK with it. Because if you get that degree, it’s all the same.

On the other side of that coin, what do you say to elite athletes to help them stay grounded when there’s so much hype and attention on them?

I say just stay humble, have a plan, and have people in your corner who are going to help keep you on the straight and narrow. And just understand it’s a blessing to be put in that position. If anything, try to help other kids who may need help. Other kids may need that extra push to get noticed, and you might be able to use your platform to help them.

How have you seen recruiting change over the years?

Having been recruited myself coming out of high school and going to a junior college, I’ve seen it change a lot. Everything is a lot faster and more direct now. Social media gives coaches quick access and helps them put eyes on a player and see what’s going on right away. There are other ways kids are getting seen too, from 7-on-7 to coaches being able to see more game film now. A coach can get on Twitter and say, ‘Everybody who plays defensive end, send me your game film,’ and next thing you know, 300 kids have sent their Hudl link to their Twitter. Back then, it was VHS tapes and coaches had to drive to get them. It’s a different ballgame now. It’s exciting and it really helps the kids.

Coach Carl Nesmith Written by: Allen Allnoch

Learn More: A helpful resource on college football scholarships is available

at ncsasports.org/football/scholarships. For more information on Carl Nesmith’s North Florida Elite program, visit northfloridaelite7v7.com.

Ideal Social Media Profile for High School Athletes Profile Pic of You in Your Uniform

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Use Your Real Name

John Smith

@_John_Smith Highland Park '22 | WR | 6'1" 200 lbs 4.55 40 | 4.02 GPA Link Your Hudl Follow Coaches and Teams Important When you "LIKE" something, you're telling the world you endorse that, which colleges and coaches can see. Be careful what you Like, Share, and Post.

Bio Should Have • High School (Spell It Out) • GPA (ACT/SAT Scores Are Also Good) • Your Position • Other Sports and Organizations • Height and Weight • Limit Use of Emjis • Rankings from 24/7, Rivals, EPSN, Etc. ITG Next | 13

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Getting Ready for Baseball Season with Jordan Taylor Written by: Tyrah Walker Photography by: Kaitlyne Piper

When it comes to baseball, Jordan Taylor knows what it takes to be a well rounded player. He prides himself in working hard and setting a great example for his teammates. The St. John’s Country Day (SJCD) senior is beyond ready to start the season off with a bang and hopefully end it with a state championship title. Taylor originally grew up learning to play basketball, in which he was introduced to the sport by watching his father, former professional basketball player, Dwayne Taylor. His father played for the Hornets briefly then played overseas. Naturally, it would make sense for his son to follow in his footsteps, but baseball ended up being the sport best fit for Taylor. He was good at basketball, but the older he got, baseball made more sense.

“When I first started [baseball], I was doing pretty good... I started getting better and had to work on more of my hitting,” said Taylor. “That was one of my weak spots. Didn’t happen overnight for me to be one of the ‘good players’”. And a good player he is. Taylor made the decision to commit to Florida State University (FSU) to continue his baseball career on the collegiate level. This decision was easy for him to make. FSU competes in NCAA Division 1 and the Atlantic Division and Atlantic Coast Conference. Notable major league players that graduated from FSU include DJ Stewart (Baltimore Orioles), Buster Posey (San Francisco Giants) and Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners). Safe to say that Taylor will be in good hands working with the coaches and being a Seminole.

“They saw me fall in my ninth grade year,” said Taylor. “ I went to a camp for a visit and it just felt like home. It’s a great school so it was a no brainer. I couldn’t see why not to go there.” ITG Next | 19

Former SJCD teammate Connor Moore is currently playing for FSU. The two will be reunited soon. Taylor truly enjoys being a Spartan. For him, it’s all about the high energy in which not only the team has, but the entire school as well. Practices and games are all fun for him. One of the many things SJCD is known for is it’s athletic program, baseball being one of them. The baseball program has 14 district titles and in the previous season, made it to have a regional title. The goal this year is for the team to make it to state and bring back home the state championship. What makes Taylor different from other baseball players? Taylor says it's his mindset.

“As I step on the field I'm just trying to go at people,” he said. “Also with my basketball background, I’m really athletic, so that helps me with making great plays.”

Baseball can be hard and Taylor tries to help and inspire the younger guys coming behind him. The advice he gives to others is to stay level headed or else the game will beat you up mentally. He also encourages players not to be too hard on yourself but remember that there’s always room for improvement. “Try to have a good mindset going into every game,” he said. “Know that you will have some bad days but just keep going forward to the next game. Keep moving and you’ll be satisfied at where you’re at” Although Taylor gives advice on how to handle bad days, he has had some pretty good days himself. According to Perfect Game (PG), Taylor nationally ranked 70 out of the top 100 and has also ranked several times for the National Showcase in both 2020 and 2021. He also received an honorable mention for the Preseason Underclass All American in 2019 and made the Florida Dodgers Scout Team. Safe to say he has built himself an impressive reputation and resume. In his PG report, it read that Taylor is “big power coming and an excellent student.” PG is not the only ones that have great things to say about this athlete, but so does Prospect. They mention Taylor as someone who is coachable, a leader, a good teammate and a hard worker with a high baseball IQ. This baseball season will be one for the books. As many recall, early 200, all spring sports had to immediately come to a halt due to COVID-19. Only a sophomore then, Taylor recalled how bad he felt that his teammates didn’t get the chance to finish off the season. Many didn’t have the chance to show recruits their talent. So this year, Taylor is hopeful that the team will have a good run, despite case numbers continuing on the rise. The team has a lot of new players this year, so he’s 20 | itgnext.com

looking forward to seeing how well the team mesh together.

“We’re just trying to get in the groove,” said Taylor. “Last year we went to the state final four and ended up coming in second. Hopefully with this group we can make it back and win it this year.” As a senior, Taylor is seizing it all in. He knows that this year will go by fast and to take every opportunity to enjoy the senior moments, no matter how big or small. He started attending SJCD his eighth grade year. He credits the school for helping shape who he is as a student and athlete. The school has taught him tremendously about hard work, dedication and time management. Not only are the Spartans great at athletics, they value education as well.

“It’s definitely sad that it's my last year playing here,” he said. “I just want to enjoy every moment. I know after high school there’s still baseball there for me, so that gives me hope too.”

Head coach, Tom Lucas, has played a role in helping Taylor be a better player. He credits him in not just being a coach but someone who, “tells you what to do and expects you to do it”. Described as a “laid back coach,” Taylor says he goes above and beyond to make sure the team is prepared for every game. And one of his best qualities is knowing how to pick the team back up when they’re feeling down. His parents are also to thank when it comes to his character and his drive to be a better athlete. They have been there every step of the way. As far as players, Taylor admires professional baseball player, Ronald Acuna Jr, who plays for the Atlanta Braves. What’s next for this star player? Although it may seem a bit early, Taylor is thinking about majoring in finance while at FSU. He would also like to play baseball professionally, which can be achievable. Will the Spartans get a championship title this year? The chances seem to look that way. The team will have to keep their focus and grit. With Taylor as their outfielder and right-hand pitcher, they could be well on their way. ITG Next is looking forward to seeing what all Taylor accomplishes.

“Try to have a good mindset going into every game. Know that you will have some bad days but just keep going forward to the next game. Keep moving and you’ll be satisfied at where you’re at.” — Jordan Taylor

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1O Times in a Row ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY

Written by: Allen Allnoch | Photography by:John Cabrera and Gianna Lentini

It’s hard to believe today, but the St. Johns Country Day School Girls Soccer program was once a joking matter at the school. Head Coach Mike Pickett – whose team is coming off its 10 consecutive state championship and 13th overall – remembers an early meeting he had with players and parents when he took over in 1998. “I told them, ‘You guys will not win a state championship. But we will win a state championship in this program,’” Pickett recalled. “And I don’t kid you when I say this: The parents and the kids were hysterically laugh-

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ing at me. I said, ‘We’ll get the culture right. You’re not going to see it in your time, but you’re going to be the foundation and you’ll be remembered as the first group that started the change.’” Pickett, a St. Johns Country Day alum, returned to his alma mater after starting a program at Broome High in Spartanburg, South Carolina. At St. Johns Country Day, he found a culture in which girls soccer took a back seat to other sports. Not everyone bought in to the new standards – nine players quit by the second practice, and only 15 stuck around during his first two years.

“It was definitely a rocky time,” said Pickett. “The headmaster pulled me in and said, ‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ and I said, ‘I hope I do, too.’ Because if didn’t, I was going to get fired. But I told them, ‘If you want a program, we’re going to have to go backwards before we go forward.’ It took us probably six years to get the culture right and to get kids who wanted to buy in to it.”

Indeed, by 2004 St. Johns Country Day was the state runner-up in its class. The Spartans won their first state championship the following year. They won state titles again in 2007 and 2009, then began their extraordinary 10-year run – an FHSAA record – in 2012. Forty-four graduates have gone on to play at the college level, 12 have earned state player-of-the-year honors, and two, Carson Pickett and Abbey Newton, were named “Miss Soccer” as overall state players of the year. Pickett’s 2020-21 team was utterly dominant, go-

ing 18-0, routing Fort Myers Canterbury 6-0 in the FHSAA Class 2A championship game, and finishing the year on a 39-game winning streak that dates to 2019. The Spartans were named the No. 1 team in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Association. Pickett, who owns a 48357-30 career record and six NSCAA Coach of the Year awards, said each championship is special. “It’s a different set of girls, a different set of circumstances. They all have a story. Some have been more dramatic than others. This run we’ve been on lately, we’ve been pretty dominant.” Now the challenge is to do it again with a team that

lost 10 seniors, including its starting goalkeeper, its leading scorer, and its entire back line. Eight of those graduates have gone to play in college, including forward Mia Sadler and defender Natalie Wilson (Southern Miss), midfielder Paige Crews (TCU) and goalkeeper Alexis Agramonte (Troy). As with many elite teams, however, the Spartans operate in a reload-rather-than-rebuild mode. Players enter the program as middle schoolers to prepare for their turn on the field when the time comes.

“I don’t consider my middle school and my JV to be separate from our varsity – we train every-

one together,” Pickett said. “They’re literally woven into the culture very early. The beauty of our program is it’s ‘Next man up. It’s your turn now, it’s your opportunity. You’ve watched and hopefully come in [off the bench] and changed the game for the better.’ We don’t say ‘benchwarmer;’ we say ‘game changer.’”

This year’s squad includes a pair of seniors with significant experience, Hannah Lemieux and Kamryn Towers, and three keepers who logged valuable minutes last season. A new keeper coach, St. Johns Country Day and Notre Dame alum Sarah

Voglewede also is on board. “We have a lot of talented kids coming back, so we’ll see if they can step in and handle the pressure of it being their turn,” Pickett said. Of course, there’s also the incentive to keep that remarkable streak of state championships alive. “I think the motivation right now – and this is not coming from the coaches – is nobody wants to be part of the team that blows the streak,” Pickett said. “It kind of takes care of itself.”

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Top 5 Hitters Written by: Matt Melton

3B Sal Stewart Westminster Christian

When looking at returning players within the state of Florida for the 2022 high school baseball season, you won’t find a player coming off a better 2021 campaign than Stewart. A popular pick for the top overall hitter in Florida, Stewart appeared in all 31 games for Westminster Christian a year ago where he slashed .534/.667/1.306 with 17 home runs, 40 RBI’s, and eight stolen bases across 88 at-bats. Among the top in the state and national leaders in a few offensive statistical categories, Stewart posted a 1.974 OPS last season with 47 total hits, 32 of which went for extra bases.

ps-baseball.com

OF Elijah Green IMG Academy

The top hitter for arguably the top overall team in the state of Florida entering the 2022 season, you could also make an excellent case for Green as the top hitter in the state overall. Appearing in all 25 games a year ago for the Ascenders, Green slashed .321/.449/.666 across 78 at-bats last season which included six home runs, 21 RBI’s, and 10 stolen bases. Posting a 1.116 OPS, Green also collected 25 hits total, seven of which were doubles. TW: Elijah Green

OF Roman Anthony Stoneman Douglas

Appearing in 28 of 30 games for the defending 7A state champions Stoneman Douglas a season ago, Anthony led the Eagles in almost every offensive statistical category. Across those 28 games, Anthony made 109 plate appearances in which he drew 28 walks compared to 21 strikeouts, and slashed .362/.532/.650 with five home runs, 21 RBI’s, and 25 stolen bases. Posting a 1.182 OPS, Anthony also collected a total of 29 hits, 12 of which went for extra bases. parklandtalk.com

C Brady Neal IMG Academy

Arguably the top catcher in the state of Florida, Neal recently reclassified from the Class of 2023 to the Class of 2022, and appears set for a massive 2022 season at the plate after a phenomenal sophomore campaign a year ago. Appearing in 22 games for the Ascenders, Neal slashed .371/.446/.612 across 62 at-bats with two home runs and 22 RBI’s. Collecting 23 hits in total, Neal added five doubles and two triples, as well as a 1.059 OPS overall. perfectgame.org

3B Ethan Petry Cypress Creek

Also making five appearances on the mound for Cypress Creek a year ago, Petry is set for a massive senior season for Cypress Creek after appearing in 25 games for the Coyotes a year ago. Making 72 at-bats a year ago, Petry slashed .375/.479/.597 with three home runs, 28 RBI’s, and nine stolen bases for Cypress Creek a year ago. Leading the Coyotes in almost every offensive statistical category, Petry also collected 27 hits overall, seven of which were doubles, as well as a 1.076 OPS.

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TW: Ethan Petry

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INDEPENDENT

IMG ACADEMY Arguably the top team in the state from a year ago, IMG Academy returns a roster full of talent despite losing key players off last season’s team such as James Wood, Drake Varnado, Tommy White, and Mason Albright. The Ascenders 2022 roster is headlined by the obvious duo of outfielder Elijah Green and pitcher Jackson Ferris, both of whom are considered as two of the top players in the country for the Class of 2022.

Certainly, able to make the case that Green and Ferris are the top overall pitcher and position player in the state, IMG also returns a few other notables in their everyday lineup including catcher Brady Neal and infielder Stone Russell, as well as pitchers Davion Hickson and Blaydon Plain. After a 23-2 record a year ago, the Ascenders should once again be one of the most-exciting teams in Florida, as well as the country this season.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of imgacademy.com

STONEMAN DOUGLAS

The 2021 Class 7A state champions, Stoneman Douglas returns numerous key players off last season’s team making the Eagles arguably the clear preseason favorite in 7A once again. While Stoneman Douglas did lose a few key players including Gavin Conticello, Chris Mckenna, Rolando Lujo, and Von Smeltzer, the Eagles return a majority of their hitting and pitching production from last season.

Among the Eagles top returning positional players, Chris Arroyo, Santiago Ordonez, Roman Anthony, Jake Clement, and Nikko Benestad each hit over .300 a season ago, while others such as Camron Harris and Grant McDonald were not far behind. Also returning their top three pitchers from a season ago in Christian Rodriguez, Derek Rodriguez, and the previously mentioned Arroyo, it’s clear why the Eagles should be considered as the clear preseason favorite in Class 7A after a 28-2 campaign a year ago.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of sun-sentinel.com

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5A After a 2021 season that resulted in a 26-3 overall record with a second round loss in the Class 5A playoffs, the Tigers return with a talented roster once again. That however comes with a some notable losses to the roster that include Bradke Lohry, Dominic Castellano, Kris Sosnowski, Cole Russo, Nick Rodriguez, and more.

JESUIT Jesuit’s returning roster is headlined by notables such as Jack Martinez, AJ Nessler, Wes Mendes, and Jake Kulikowski in the lineup, while others such as Jamie Arnold will help anchor the pitching staff. While the Tigers have multiple prominent players to replace off last season’s team, Jesuit should once again be one of the top teams in the state this season.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of tampabay.com

MOSLEY

The defending 5A state champions, Mosley returns numerous key contributors making the Dolphins one of the clear favorites in Class 5A this season. Mosley however also loses a few notable players off last season’s team including Jaden Rudd, Coleman Rowan, David Hudson, Ethan Campbell, and more.

The Dolphins 2022 lineup will feature many key faces in Tyler Wave, Cole Horton, Rock Holland, and more, while Mosley also returns a few pitchers with previous experience. After a 27-5 season a year ago, the Dolphins appear set as one of the top teams in the state of Florida once again.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of Next Level Baseball via Twitter

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Coach of the Year

Who Will Be this Year's?

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THE FIRST ACADEMY The defending Class 3A state champions, you could certainly make an argument that The First Academy is the top overall team in the state entering the 2022 campaign, partly due to returning a vast-majority of their production from a year ago. Going 31-1 last season, the Royals only lose three notable players from a year ago which include infielder/catcher Tyler Hopkins, as well as outfielders Khadin Bastian and Brenden Ryan.

Returning for the Royals is a deep lineup led by seniors Greg Pettay, Ben Barrett, Riley Parker, and more, as well as a pitching staff that returns everyone from last season where they posted a combined 1.20 ERA. It’ll be hard to find a more experienced team in Florida as we enter the 2022 season making The First Academy arguably the favorite to lift the trophy once again.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of The First Academy via Twitter

BOLLES

After a 2021 season that resulted in a Class 3A semifinal loss to eventual state champion The First Academy, Bolles returns some key pieces after losing a notable amount of production from a 25-5 campaign a year ago. Among the players lost, the Bulldogs will have to replace multiple key parts of their lineup in Matt Anderson, Jaden Flowers, and more, as well as two-way player and ace Jackson Baumeister.

Bolles however returns a talented roster that includes impressive two-way player Sully Brackin, as well as others including Tanner Zellem, Luke Cashwell, and Max Haug. While the Bulldogs should once again be an impressive offensive team, Bolles returns almost all of their pitching staff from a year ago which will arguably be the strength for what will be a state title contending team.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photography by: Kaitlyne Piper

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2A The 2021 Class 2A runner-up, St. Johns Country Day should enter the 2022 season as one of the favorites in 2A, even despite losing some key parts of their lineup. Among those losses was infielder Connor Moore who batted .383 last season with 11 home runs, while the Spartans will also have to replace others including James Oman, Luke Shannahan, and Jace Thomas.

ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY Headlining the returning Spartans are a majority of their pitching production from a year ago, as well as two-way player Finn Howell, outfielder Jordan Taylor, and many more. The Spartans will be an exciting team to watch this season, and should contend for a state title once again.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photography by: Kaitlyne Piper

LAKELAND CHRISTIAN

After a 26-2 record a year ago, Lakeland Christian did see notable roster turnover from last season which includes some prominent players in the both the lineup and starting rotation. Among those players lost from last season, the Vikings will have to replace a few notables including outfielders Reese Collins and Ty Evans, infielders Jake Fox and Ryan Jenkins, and pitchers Sawyer Toney and Nathan Shane, as well as more.

Returning for Lakeland Christian will be a lineup led by catcher Brody Donay and infielders Parker Galberaith and Carson Byrd, while Mack Estrada should be the focal point of the rotation. While the Vikings have to replace numerous players, Lakeland Christian returns a few key pieces that should make them one of the top teams in Class 3A this season.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of tampabayhighschoolbaseball.com

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OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY The defending Class 2A state champions, the Thunder return multiple prominent contributors off last season’s team that make them potential candidate to repeat this year. However, Out-of-Door Academy will also have to replace a few key contributors from last season that include Nolan Lewellen, Tanner Fairchild, PJ Fincher, and Tyler Colditz.

Returning for the Thunder will be a rotation that is headlined by Josh Cone, Luke Geske, and Carter Dierdorf, while the lineup also returns key contributors including Logan Tribble, Nolan Naese, and more. After a phenomenal 2021 campaign that sported a 24-3 record, the Thunder appear set to do the exact same once again.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of The Out-of-Door Academy via Facebook

LAKE BRANTLEY

Going 26-4 a year ago, Lake Brantley should enter the 2022 campaign as one of the arguable favorites in Class 7A. After losing notable players from last season including Maverick Stallings, Matthew Delay, and Connor Hensley, the Patriots return a majority of their production from a year ago.

Leading the lineup will be notables such as Luke Heyman, Connor Doyle, Landon Moran, Logan Chapman, and more while the rotation will feature returning players including Savian Loor and Eduardo Adrian. The Patriots have numerous players returning this season, and because of this could be one of the most-experienced teams in Class 7A this season.

Written by: Matt Milton | Photo courtesy of orlandosentinel.com

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A Great Team, A Great Coach Written by: Janay Brown Photography by: TeDarius Abrams

The Andrew Jackson basketball team is one of the top high school sports teams in Florida and this year they’re aiming for the title. Although the team is hard to beat, a great team is nothing without their coach. James Collins is the head varsity basketball coach

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and he comes with nothing but pure experience and knowledge. Collins, being an Andrew Jackson alumnus, knows what it takes to make a dream team. “It’s wonderful. I feel blessed for the opportunity to grow up in the school and come back

and be able to give back some of the knowledge that I’ve learned,” said Collins. “So, it’s just wonderful, it’s a blessing. Collins was first introduced to basketball while watching his family members play growing up and watching games on TV. Since then, he hasn’t put a basketball down. Right out of high school, Collins obtained a scholarship to Florida State University where he thrived. Although going to a top school was important, Collins wanted to make sure he was close to family. “I picked Florida State because at the time they were doing well in the ACC,” he said. “They just joined that ACC, and it wasn’t that far away from my home, and I just had a son three weeks before I graduated so I kind of wanted to stay close.” After flourishing in college, Collins was able to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, the NBA. In 1997, Collins was drafted 36th overall in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

“It was a good journey, a hard one, and it didn’t work out like I planned but I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Collins. Over the span of his ten-year career, Collins played for various teams such as the L.A Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and the Memphis Grizzlies. After Collins’ time in the NBA, he decided to come back to his roots. Now, being the head varsity basketball coach at Andrew Jackson, he’s determined to make the best team possible. Last season, the team lost their neutral playoff game against Bishop McLaughlin Catholic School by a score of 7971. So, this year, Collins is hungry and more determined than ever and has high expectations. “I hope we can close the deal this year and win the district state championship. Hopefully we can put together a run and finish this thing. Something we haven’t been able to do in the last three years.”

Collins says the biggest challenge he’s faced over the years has been getting the kids to retain the knowledge that he’s teaching. Over the years, Collins has had to learn to be patient. “With these young players you have to be very patient because you never know when they’re going to receive the teaching that you give them,” he said. “Sometimes it could be now, it could be a year from now, second year or fourth year. You have to have some patience.” The biggest advice Collins would give to an upcoming basketball player would be self-discipline. “No one can push you like you can push yourself. With that self-discipline, you’ll have the tools to push yourself to do all the things to reach all of your goals.”

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Best Cheer Team Ever? West Nassau Written by: Janah Brown Photography submitted by: West Nassau Cheer

West Nassau High School is known for its fiercely competitive cheer team. Lead by Coach Samantha Beazley, the West Nassau Warriors have brought home many state, national, and world championship titles. Last season the team consecutively claimed their seventh state title and third national championship title. Prior to the pandemic, they held consecutive world championship titles. We had the opportunity to speak with Beazley and pick her brain about what it takes to be a West Nassau Cheerleader and what is the secret behind their impressive achievements. After a difficult year and a half of navigating Coronavirus, the team is excited and ready to get back to 44 | itgnext.com

some normalcy. Last year they were not able to practice and train as a complete team, abiding by strict protocols to maintain good health throughout the season. Additionally, with the 2021 World Championship being cancelled due to the pandemic, West Nassau was not able to go for a third consecutive world championship title. Going into this year, Beazley says the team is taking advantage of every minute of practice time. “We’ve got to come in every single day and not take a second of practice time or times together for granted,” she said. “I think after having that experience last year, we can do it this year—we’ve just got to keep our minds right.”

“Drills on drills on drills bring you skills on skills on skills. “I'm a firm believer in drills. Every single year we go back to basics, and we start from scratch.” — Samantha Beazley

The team starts the first half of their year focusing on football season, cheering, and drilling on the sidelines. During this time, Beazley says that they focus mainly on drilling and conditioning during practices. “Drills on drills on drills bring you skills on skills on skills,” Beazley says, stressing that going back to the basics at the beginning of the year helps curate a prepared and focused athlete. “I'm a firm believer in drills. Every single year we go back to basics, and we start from scratch.” The next half of the year they focus on getting ready for the competition season. The practices increase from three days a week to four days and go from the time school is let out

to 6:30 at night. However, Beazley stresses that the team must “earn their way out of practice.” She emphasizes, “they have to do certain skills and a certain number of drills consecutively before they can get to that exit [out of practice].” Beazley says that she likes to keep her athletes on their toes and ready for anything to happen during a competition. “For me, my job is to make sure that I'm preparing them as best as possibly can for any and every scenario,” she said. “I try to create as many different scenarios as possible so that they feel confident not comfortable—because I always tell them that the comfort zone is the danger zone.” Beazley recalls

“I always tell them, ‘You should not stress until you see me stressed.’” — Samantha Beazley times where the music has cut out in the middle of practice, leading the team to have to count the beats and continue the routine in silence. When practicing the routines, Beazley is sure to time their warmups as if they are at competition. Additionally, she has the team practice waiting and coming out of the tunnel as if they are competing. By keeping her athletes prepared and confident, Beazley can keep them focused during these intense competitions against other cheer teams. “I try to be cool calm and collected,” she says. “I

always tell them, ‘You should not stress until you see me stressed.’” So, what is the secret to the team’s success? Beazley credits the culture created over time that demands hard work and tenacity from well-rounded student-athletes. “Before I even see you in front of me at tryouts, I'm looking at the teacher evaluations, report cards, what kind of grades you have,” she said. “I kind of look at everything because I'm a firm believer if you cannot handle your business inside the classroom, you’ve got

no business doing anything extra out of classroom and you're probably not going to handle this outside the classroom.” Beazley emphasizes that a student-athlete should be that: a student first and an athlete second. It will be exciting to watch West Nassau this year through the remainder of football season and competition season. With a fierce leader like Coach Beazley, they are certainly in good hands leading into the upcoming competition season. Go Warriors!

JOI: Proud team physicians keeping the Jaguars and you on your game.

Kevin M. Kaplan, MD - Head Team Physician

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and Baptist Health are pleased to offer area athletes and weekend warriors unmatched sports medicine expertise and complete orthopaedic care. As team physicians for the Jaguars, area high schools, colleges, and universities, you’ll find us on the field and at convenient office locations across Northeast Florida. That’s good for the team — and good for you.

To learn more or to set an appointment, call JOI-2000 or visit joi.net

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Top 5 Recruits Written by: Matt Melton

OF Elijah Green IMG Academy

Not only is Green regarded as arguably the top overall player in the state of Florida, but the outfielder is also regarded as one of the top overall high school baseball players in the country. A Miami commit, Green is considered as one of the top overall prospects in the 2022 MLB Draft, and is likely to be selected among the Top 5 picks overall. A strong defensive outfielder at IMG Academy who displays excellent speed and power offensively, Green appeared in 25 games a season ago with the Ascenders where he slashed .321/.449/.666 with six home runs, 21 RBI’s, and 10 stolen bases. Green is also rated as the No. 2 high school prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft by MLB Pipeline, as well as the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2022 by Perfect Game.

TW: Elijah Green

LHP Brandon Barriera American Heritage

One of the top pitchers, if not the top pitcher, in the state of Florida this season, Barriera is also regarded as one of the top overall high school pitchers in the country. Committed to Vanderbilt, the left-hander is considered as a high pick in this year’s MLB Draft, likely going anywhere in the first round. Making three starts last season for American Heritage, Barriera posted a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA across 16 innings with five walks and 26 strikeouts. Displaying an impressive fastball and slider, Barriera is rated as the No. 7 high school prospect in the 2022 MLB Draft by MLB Pipeline, as well as the No. 8 over player in the Class of 2022 by Perfect Game.

lmgfl.com

LHP Jackson Ferris IMG Academy

Ferris is not only regarded as arguably the top high school pitcher in the state, but one of the top pitchers in the country overall. Currently committed to Ole Miss, is considered as a first round pick in this year’s MLB Draft, likely anywhere in the first round. Pitching 50.2 innings for the Ascenders a year ago, Ferris posted an 8-0 record with a 0.55 ERA with 13 walks and 86 strikeouts. Sporting a solid fastball and breaking ball, Ferris is rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 8 high school prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft. maxpreps.com

3B Sal Stewart Westminster Christian

One of the top home run hitters in the entire country, Stewart you could certainly argue is the top hitter in the state of Florida. A Vanderbilt commit, Stewart is a player who could be selected in either the first or second round of this year’s MLB Draft. The third baseman appeared in 31 games last season for Westminster Christian where he slashed .534/.667/1.306 with 17 home runs, 40 RBI’s, and eight stolen bases. Rated as MLB Pipeline’s No. 16 high school prospect in the 2022 MLB Draft, Stewart is one of the more interesting players in the state due his powerful right-handed swing. ps-baseball.com

C Brady Neal IMG Academy

Arguably the state’s top catcher, Neal reclassified into the Class of 2022 after a phenomenal sophomore season a year ago. An LSU commit, Neal could be selected anywhere early-on in the 2022 MLB Draft with the first two rounds likely. Neal appeared in 22 games a year ago with the Ascenders where he slashed .371/.446/.612 with two home runs and 22 RBI’s. A strong two-way catcher, Neal is likely set for a massive 2022 season, and should be one of the top hitters in Florida this season. perfectgame.org

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Kayleb Wagner Breaks Florida High School Rushing Record Written by: Tyrah Walker | Photo courtesy of prepredzone.com

Kayleb Wagner has had true success in his athletic career at Baker High School. The junior running back recently broke the Florida high school single-game rushing record, a record that was previously held by Tennessee Titans AllPro Derrick Henry. With 535 yards and six touchdowns that day, it’s safe to say that Wagner has made a name for himself in the world of high school football. Wagner was 6 years old when he first started playing football. His love for the game came from watching his peers and family members play. He said that he and his cousins would always play the

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game in the backyards of their homes. Once his cousins signed up, he knew he had to follow in their footsteps. Breaking the state’s rushing record wasn’t just something Wagner woke up one morning and decided to try. He had spent the past couple of years making that a goal, but he didn’t know that the win against South Walton would be the moment that dream would become a reality.

“I always hoped for it, but I never actually saw it happening,” Wagner said.

With breaking a rushing record, one could imagine all the

buzz and excitement that spread across Baker and all throughout the state. One person who reached out to Wagner was Derrick Henry himself – a full circle moment.

“That was pretty cool because it was Derrick Henry,” Wagner said. “I got the opportunity to meet the guy when I got some tickets to the Jacksonville game when they played Tennessee. Before the game, I got to go on the sideline, and he came over there and talked to me, and we got some pictures.”

Being out on the field inspired Wagner that one day he will be playing professionally. Although the 6-foot-1 player has not had any scholarship offer letters come his way, it’s still early, and he still has one more season of high school football ahead of him. He does have goals to leave Florida for college but is open to any offers. Something else that sets Wagner apart is that he was born with one hand. However, he does not allow his disability to stop him from playing the game he loves. He even says his coaches expected more out of him at times.

“I never really looked at myself as I have a disability,” he said. “I just always thought I was a normal kid for the most part. I tend to forget about it sometimes.” There are more things in store for Kayleb Wagner’s future. His advice to young players out there: Keep trying and give it your all. You can see more about Wagner’s story in an upcoming documentary produced by ITG Next.

In the national high school basketball landscape, dominance has a name: Montverde Academy. During the 2018-2019

season, the Eagles went a perfect 25-0 and defeated powerhouse IMG Academy thrice. Despite losing stars like Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Moses Moody, the Eagles ran through their schedule again in 2020, going 25-1 (and only losing to Sunrise Christian). Now, with the 2021 season on the horizon, Montverde Academy is once again ready to take the high school basketball landscape by storm. The backcourt features an abundance of experience, as seniors Dariq Whitehead (Duke commit), Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana commit), and Skyy Clark (Kentucky commit) will likely be trusted to carry the brunt of scoring opportunities. Clark transferred in from Ensworth (TN), where he became a basketball sensation after averaging over 26 points a game last season. Whitehead has been around Montverde for a few years now, and his impact was felt greatly even during his sophomore season, when he led the team in points against a strong DeMatha (MD) team. The Eagles will put up a lot of points on the scoreboard this season despite their tough

schedule, that’s certain. The options in the frontcourt are plentiful. USC commit Vincent Iwuchukwu will be one of the biggest pieces on the boards for the Eagles, and his 7 foot frame will surely help in shot-blocking near the rim. Malik Reneau (Florida commit) will be counted on for his basketball IQ, making him a valuable asset beside Iwuchukwu. Reneau starred on the 25-win Eagles team from last season, and he’ll be more than comfortable racking up wins once again this season. Kwame Evans and Texas commit Dillon Mitchell will also see major playing time on a star-studded roster that includes numerous five star prospects (like Evans himself). With the additions of Derik Queen, Noah Sun, and Sam Walters, Montverde’s frontcourt likely becomes the most talented in the nation and one of the most promising in school history. The Eagles will be thrown into the fire early this season at the Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta. There, they’ll have to face Real Salt Lake (UT) and the defending Georgia 6A state champion Wheeler. The road after won’t be much easier either, as Montverde will have to play Oak Hill (VA), IMG Academy (FL), and Sunrise Christian (KS) on consecutive days. The remainder of

the season features rematches against IMG Academy and Sunrise Christian and two meetings with former topranked La Lumiere (IN). Expect to see Montverde exit this rigorous schedule with one or two losses at the most and enter the GEICO Nationals Basketball Tournament, a common occurrence for the Eagles. On par with previous years, Montverde Academy is sure to be an immovable force in national high school basketball. Returning players will be key in setting the tone early in the season, and new transfers will be counted on to add to the overall team dynamic as the season progresses. This season brings a new generation of stars to the forefront, and only time will tell how successful they turn out to be.

Montverde Academy Retools for 2021 Season Written by: Dhruv Mohan Photo courtesy of orlandosentinel.com

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Block This! Kendall Mignerey Written by: Janay Brown Photography courtesy of Kendall Mignerey

Kendall Mignerey is a senior at Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) and a varsity volleyball player. Now she’s about to take her skills D1. Mignerey committed to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to play beach volleyball. Mignerey has been playing the sport for as long as she can remember. She started taking the sport seriously when she was in third grade and got the chance to play club volleyball. When Mignerey was in middle school, she got a taste of beach volleyball, and she hasn’t put the ball down since. Although she found the sport organically, it seems to run in her bloodline. Her mother Robin Mignerey is the head volleyball coach at PVHS and her older sister currently plays volleyball at FAU. Although having your family so close has its advantages, it does come with some challenges.

“It can be really stressful at times because the expectations are definitely higher being the coach’s daughter than just a regular player,” said Migne52 | itgnext.com

rey. “They hold you to a certain standard. They know how you play, how well you’re able to play. They know when you’re having an off day. It’s definitely overwhelming but it’s something that I’ve enjoyed. There’s definitely lots of positive aspects and advantages to having a mom as a coach that other players might not have.” Although Mignerey’s mom always pushes her to do her best, it’s for a good reason. PVHS volleyball is one of the best teams in the area, winning four state titles and going for their fifth. Although the team is excited about the journey, the road to get there may be tough. This year the Sharks are in a new playing field and a new class. But the team is very resilient and ready to tackle any obstacle that comes their way. Mignerey believes that their biggest obstacle as a team is staying consistent. She says it’s more of the mental aspects of game than the physical game that the team needs to work on.

“When we do get down, getting out of our hole and snapping back into our momentum can be a challenge. And not letting any small problems mess us up like if someone gets quarantined… we can’t let that mess us up.” Although there are things the team needs to work on, they have many things they do well. “Our offense is very strong,” she said. “We have some big hitters. We have a setter that makes the offense what it is. At the beginning of the year our defense part wasn’t quite there but we’re getting there. All of us along with our block to the digging and back row work together. You know when we go and play other teams, we’re like, “aww this team is so good they dig everything” and I think it takes a certain motivation and skill set to be able to go all out and dig everything but that will come overtime as we have more practice and elevate our defense so we can transfer that to our unstoppable offense.” With Mignerey being a senior on the team she knows how to be a leader. Her consistent

playing skills and ball control make her teammates want to look up to her. “You know I’m not something super flashy. I just stay consistent. I’ll get a kill every once and a while. I don’t put away every single time. But I think I’m a consistent player that others can look to.” Although Mignerey is confident about her teams’ bond, the thought of not winning another title is a scary thought.

“Yes, there’s a lot of pressure, you know I look at girls in the years past, they probably know we might be able to do it this year and it’s part of not letting them down. Not letting friends, family and peers down. Especially family and my sister; big pressure there to make it to state this year again. Its definitely a lot of

pressure and teams are going to see that we have a couple state championships and they’re going to come hungry and they want to beat us, but we just have to keep working hard for it.” Because there’s so much pressure that comes along with being on an elite team, it’s important to have some time for yourself. Whenever Mignerey’s stressed or needs something to help her get away from it all she loves to go to the beach. “I like to go to the beach a lot. Sit there, tan, go in the ocean, I like to ride my bike, go on walks. I think that’s very stress relieving. Nothing to crazy.”

WATCH

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Top 5 Facts about Baseball Written by: Matt Melton

Florida High School Baseball produced two first round picks in the 2021 MLB Draft

The Florida prep ranks produced two first round picks from last year’s MLB Draft in Calvary Christian pitcher Andrew Painter and John Carroll Catholic outfielder Jay Allen, both of whom have made their professional debuts since. Painter was selected with the No. 13 overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies, while Allen was selected No. 30 overall by the Cincinnati Reds. Painter is currently rated as the Phillies No. 3 overall prospect, while Allen is rated as the Reds No. 5 overall prospect.

Summerlin Institute won the first-ever FHSAA Baseball state championship

The very-first FHSAA high school baseball state championship took place back in 1922 when Summerlin Institute defeated Williston by a final score of 9-0 with the game taking place at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. Not only was this obviously Summerlin Institute’s first baseball state championship, but it was also their first of three consecutive state title game appearances as they would lose 5-0 in 1923, and win their second state title in 1924 by defeating Citrus 5-2.

Alex Rodriguez was the Last No. 1 Overall pick to come from a Florida High School

Westminster Christian shortstop Alex Rodriguez was the last player to be selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft straight from a Florida high school. Drafted No. 1 overall back in 1993 by the Seattle Mariners, Rodriguez played 22 seasons in the MLB from 1994-2016 with the Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees which included 696 career home runs, three MVP’s, 14 All-Star appearances, one World Series, a 10-time Silver Slugger, two Gold Gloves, and many more accolades.

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IMG Academy produced Six 2021 MLB Draft Picks

Arguably the top overall team in the state of Florida a year ago, the Ascenders produced a total of six picks from last July’s MLB draft. Among those six, four came from the high school ranks which included James Wood to the San Diego Padres, Drew Gray to the Chicago Cubs, and Mason Albright to the Los Angeles Angles, while former players including Tucker Mitchell (Texas Rangers) and Tyler Ahearn (Colorado Rockies) were also selected.

Key West & Westminster Christian are Tied for the Most Baseball State Championships

Key West and Westminster Christian are tied for having won the most state championships in Florida high school baseball history with each having won 11. Key West won their first state title back in 1953 with their most-recent coming in 2005, while Westminster Christian won their first in 1981 with their most-recent coming in 2015. During those spans, Key West has gone back-to-back three separate times (1955-56, 1958-59, 1995-96), while Westminster Christian went back-to-back-to-back from 1996-1998.

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Champagnat Catholic Kicks Through The Palm Trees to the State Championship Written by: Phil Jones

Champagnat Catholic High School is located in Hialeah, Florida, in the shadows of the bright lights of Miami. Founded in 1968, the school finally decided to start a football program in 2011. They became known as “The Lions” and were forced to participate as an independent for two seasons before officially joining the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) as a member of Class 2A. The school consists of grades 6-12, with an enrollment of 170 total students. The football team draws from students in grades 9-12, consisting of just 130 students. Despite their small enrollment, having fielded a football program for 10 seasons, and despite a roster totaling 57 players, the Lions have been one of the most successful football programs in the state of Florida, having advanced to the class 2A state championship contest six times, winning four of them. That includes backto-back state titles over the last two seasons under head football coach Hector Clavijo. He started as an assistant coach in 2016 before taking over as the head coach in 2018. Under Clavijo, the Lions have advanced to the championship 56 | itgnext.com

game each season, winning two titles, in 2019 and last season, in 2020. He also had a hand in one of their other state titles, in 2017, as assistant coach. So, a team with multiple state championship appearances, with four state championship trophies…there’s got to be a shrine built for this head coach and these players, right? There must be a nice practice facility with a turf field upon which these elite champions continue to perfect their skills, right? How about that nice, air-conditioned weight room? Or, what about that nice stadium where thousands of fans flock to under the lights on Friday night to see their beloved Lions play like the champions they are, right…? Well, no. There’s none of that. No stadium. That’s correct. The team does not have a stadium of their own. Every game they play is actually an away game, played at their opponent’s home stadium. No nice practice facility…unless you’re talking about the city park that the team uses. That’s right. As a private school, the team doesn’t receive any district or county-related assistance, so there are no football facilities that are provided by the school,

TW: Andres Borregales

miamiherald.com

stateoftheu.com

“People want to see our championship rings, and they’ll ask about the palm trees.” — Hector Clavijo

so its up to Clavijo to find a place for his team to practice. The team uses a city-maintained park called Seminole Park to practice each day. Because the park is open to the public, there’s no yard lines or markers, just good old grass, dirt, and a lot of standing water. Clavijo says the team just works around it. “We just go to the corners of the park where we can find a dry spot,” he says. It’s where players like Andres Borregales, the team’s kicker during the 2020 season, would practice his kickoffs and field goals. The only problem with that is the park has no field goal post. However, that didn’t stop the former Lions kicker from becoming the nation’s No.1 rated kicker by most recruiting services like Kohl’s as well as a heavily recruited All-American. He now kicks for the University of Miami Hurricanes. So, how does a kicker like Borregales practice kicking? “We had him kick between two palm trees,” said the Clavijo. Yes, palm trees served as the goal posts for the top high school kicker in America. Clavijo said the palm trees also became a symbol for what the team had to work withor without, as it may be. That’s why the 2019 state championship rings that the team earned for their third overall title bears two palm trees on the head of the ring, as a reminder of how this team won it all with humble surroundings. “People want to see our championship rings, and they’ll ask about the palm trees,” says Clajivo. So, they may not have a practice field or home stadium to call their own, but there is one thing the team has that they can

call their own, and that’s their very own weight room…uh, sort of. It’s not a room at all. It’s a collection of weight stations covered by a shelter with no side walls. Despite the team not having all the modern conveniences that most championship programs are accustomed to, Clavijo said his players are not fazed by it at all. “It all starts with our kids understanding that this is all we have,” says Clavijo. He also says that the players play with an edge due to their circumstances. “Our kids kind of play with a chip on their shoulder, knowing the competition usually has better facilities than they do, so that really drives them to show everyone that they can still win championships without having the same amenities that the other teams have”, said Clavijo. The head coach relies on volunteers, usually the parents, for assistants. “It’s usually parents of the players who have played before and understand the game,” he said. The FHSAA state championships will be held later this year, on December 6 and 12, and if you hear that Champagnat Catholic has won another state championship, just remember, it’s the team with no stadium, no practice field, and no goal posts for their kicker to kick through. But who needs those things when you have the heart of a lion?

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Heritage’s LJ Turner Named ITG Next Florida November Male Athlete of the Month Written by: Matt Melton Photo courtesy of maxpreps.com

When looking at the current statistical leaders for Florida high school football as a whole, you won’t find many players with more eye-popping numbers than Heritage senior running back LJ Turner. The state’s leading rusher, Turner has truly shined for the Panthers

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throughout the 2021 season while doing it in one of Florida’s toughest classifications. However, when looking back at the month of October alone, it becomes obvious why Turner is our ITG Next Florida Male Athlete of the Month, as the senior received 64.39% of the votes.

One of the onfield leaders for the Panthers, Turner appeared in all six of Heritage’s games during the month of October, a stretch during which the Panthers finished with a 5-1 record. Turner, as you likely guessed, played a massive role in each. Beginning the

month back on October 1 with a 41-8 win over Space Coast, Turner rushed for 197 yards and a touchdown in the contest, needing only 11 carries to do it. After that phenomenal start to the month, the senior then eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the first time this season only a week later, rushing for 208 yards and three more scores in a 42-0 win over Astronaut. Heritage then played two games over the next week, but that did not affect Turner, as he rushed for a combined 394 yards and four touchdowns in blowout wins over Palm Bay and Gateway, even averaging 22.9 yards per carry in the latter. Turner continued his stellar play to end the month rushing for a combined 443 yards and five scores across the Panthers’ last two games. For the month of October overall, Turner rushed for a phenomenal 1,242

total yards across six games, also adding 13 total touchdowns on the ground. In each of those six games, Turner eclipsed the 100yard mark; he also had three games of 200+ yards, five multi-touchdown games, and a then season-high 283 yards rushing on October 29. As expected, this success has carried over to the month of November for the senior, as Turner rushed for a new season-high 330 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries last Friday night against Bayside. With the Class 6A playoffs set to begin as well, it certainly appears that Turner is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. A truly phenomenal month on the football field, congratulations to Heritage running back LJ Turner, our ITG Next Florida November Male Athlete of the Month.

Cardinal Mooney’s Jordyn Byrd Named ITG Next Florida November Female Athlete of the Month Written by: Matt Melton Photo courtesy of yourobserver.com

The state of Florida has seen some phenomenal individual performances on the volleyball court throughout the 2021 season, many of which occurred during the month of October. Because of this, there were numerous volleyball players from across the state that you

could certainly make an argument for that had the best month. However, it is hard to look past the phenomenal month of October from Cardinal Mooney junior Jordyn Byrd, our ITG Next Florida November Female Athlete of the Month, as the junior received 34.19% of the votes.

A two-sport star for the Cougars, Byrd began the month in tournament play as Cardinal Mooney picked up some big wins over Divine Savior, Fort Myers, and Riverview Sarasota. Playing a total of 10 sets across that twoday stretch, Byrd collected a total of 48 kills, one ace, four

blocks, and 16 digs, and even ended this impressive start to the month by announcing a commitment to Texas for volleyball. That success only grew for Byrd as the month continued, as the junior added five consecutive 20+ kill showings against opponents from October 5-14, a stretch in which Cardinal Mooney went 5-0. Averaging 5+ kills per set in each, Byrd also turned in arguably her best showing of the season up to that point on October 7 in a 3-1 win over Venice, accounting for 34 kills (8.5 K/S), two aces, one block, and 14 digs. Byrd continued this phenomenal play to finish the month, even adding 11.3 K/S in three sets against Bishop McLaughlin Catholic in the playoffs. For the month of October overall, Byrd played in a total of 40 sets for the Cougars in which the junior added a total of 260 kills, 15 serving aces,

50 serving points, 33 blocks, and 108 digs. Byrd also set season highs in the month of October in a few categories that included kills, k/s, kill percentage, aces, and blocks. Across the 2021 season overall, Byrd also currently leads the state of Florida in kills and ranks No. 6 overall in the state in hitting percentage. A phenomenal month of October and 2021 season overall, congratulations to Jordyn Byrd, our ITG Next Florida November Female Athlete of the Month.

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FIRST COAST CHEER

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Top 5 Pitchers Written by: Matt Melton

LHP Brandon Barriera American Heritage

lmgfl.com

There are arguably two pitchers that you could make an argument that should be the top pitcher in the state entering the 2021 season with the first being Barriera. After a strong sophomore campaign, the left-hander made three starts a season ago for American Heritage in which he pitched 16 scoreless innings posting a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA. Across those 16 innings, Barriera struck out 26 batters compared to five walks, as well as only allowing one hit on the season to opponents, who had a combined .020 batting average against Barriera last season.

LHP Jackson Ferris IMG Academy

maxpreps.com

The ace for arguably the top team in the state entering the 2022 season, you could make an excellent argument for Ferris as the top pitcher in the state. Making a total of nine appearances for the Ascenders a season ago, the lefthander posted an 8-0 record with a 0.55 ERA across 50.2 innings pitched. Striking out a total of 86 batters compared to 13 walks, Ferris only allowed a total of four earned runs to opponents who batted a combined .103 against the left-hander.

LHP Isaac Sewell The First Academy

Arguably the top arm from what will be an experienced The First Academy rotation, Sewell returns for his senior season after a massive breakout 2021 campaign. Appearing in 23 games a season ago for the Royals, Sewell posted a 14-0 record with a 1.13 ERA across 87 innings pitched. With a .170 batting average against, Sewell struck out a total of 112 batters to only 12 walks. TW: The First Academy Baseball

RHP/LHP Jurrangelo Cinjtje Champagnat Catholic

An exciting two-way player for Champagnat Catholic, Cinjtje is quickly becoming one of the top pitchers in the state due to a successful 2021 junior season. Pitching a total of 44.1 innings a season ago, Cinjtje posted a 5-2 record overall with a 0.47 ERA with opponents holding only a .073 batting average against. Cinjtje also struck out a total of 84 batters a season ago compared to 15 walks for the Lions, as well as only allowing 11 total hits. miamidadehighschoolbaseball.com

LHP Zachary Root Fort Myers

A two-way player for Fort Myers, Root enjoyed a breakout 2021 on the mound for the Green Wave that could lead to a big senior season in 2022. Pitching a total of 46.1 innings a season ago, Root posted a 7-0 record with a 1.81 ERA that also included a total of 59 strikeouts to 24 walks. Holding opponents to a combined .163 batting average, Root also allowed a total of 27 hits. perfectgame.org

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Land Rover Jacksonville 11217 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32225 landroverjacksonville.com

WHERE WILL YOUR FORWARD MOMENTUM TAKE YOU? Land Rover Jacksonville believes that employees are our greatest asset. As such, we treat all team members with respect and appreciation for their contributions to the company. We believe not only in providing ongoing training, but also rewarding outstanding effort. Land Rover Jacksonville offers a great learning environment for high school graduates looking to grow their career. ITG Next | 63

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