2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
OrangeObserver.com
OCOEE KNIGHTS 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee | Class 7A, District 4 PLAYERS TO WATCH
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Terrance Larmond ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Steve McHale
AUGUST 2016
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f the Ocoee Knights are going to improve upon a breakout season in 2015, in which they tripled their win total from 2014, they will have to do so with underclassmen stepping up. Ocoee features 11 freshman and nine sophomores on its varsity roster, meaning coach Ben Bullock will be looking to create a roster full of young veterans by season’s end. “For us, it’s about talent — but youthful talent,” he said. “We’ve got to get these guys game-ready in a hurry.” Helping in that effort will be senior leaders such as Dorian Jones and B.J. Bohler, leaders of the Knights’ talented secondary, linebacker Lyston Barber and defensive tackle Nate Roberts. For those players, the bright future Ocoee’s roster suggests needs to come sooner rather than later — meaning the Knights are aiming for a playoff berth this fall. “Our district is wide open — a lot of great teams and a lot of great coaches,” Bullock said.
2016 SCHEDULE
OFFENSE
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jason Boltus
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HEAD COACH:
Ben Bullock (second year)
OBSERVER
Youth infusion
2016 ROSTER No. Name Grade 2 David Span 12 3 Kendall Bohler 10 4 Dorian Jones 12 5 Lyston Barber 12 6 Garrett Duffina 11 7 Myles Holder 11 8 C.J. Young 10 9 Konrie Brown 11 10 Delmy Geffrard 12 11 B.J. Bohler 12 12 Hunter Mercer 11 13 Johnny Matos 12 14 Keyshawn Goins 10 15 Isaiah Smith 12 17 Jake Novello 11 20 Tyrese Taylor 9 23 Lovie Jenkins 9 24 Corvondre Curate 9 25 Santuwan Blue 9 27 Tamon Lynum 9 28 Josh Petty 12 30 Tavares Rodgers 9 31 Aaron McKenzie 9 33 Nasir Carter 10 34 Alex Suarez 9 39 Chester Geffrard 10 40 DaVeon Reynolds 9 42 Chris Benton 10 45 Pharbby Hyacinthe 11 50 Dakari Walton 12 51 Brennen Castillo 12 52 Tabari Neal 12 54 Monroe Nelson 11 56 Nate Roberts 12 58 Tyler Lewis 11 59 Tahjay Christie 11 60 Matt Hogan 10 61 Drawon Williams 9 65 Candido Worrell 12 66 Charles Jenkins 11 67 Marlo Tillman 11 72 Jason Williams 9 73 Justin Williams 10 79 Khallel Joseph 12 88 Fails Jeremiah 10 90 Luis Rivera 11
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B.J. BOHLER, WR (SR.) Bohler recently committed to Mercer University as a defensive back, but that doesn’t mean Ocoee coach Ben Bullock and offensive coordinator Jason Boltus haven’t found a way to utilize his speed and abilities as a playmaker on offense. “With his speed and his athletic ability … we try to get him the ball in areas where he can make guys miss,” Bullock said.
DEFENSE
LYSTON BARBER, LB (SR.) Lyston Barber has a knack for getting in the face of opposing quarterbacks while maintaining the mobility to drop back in coverage. With the Knights featuring a strong secondary, Barber’s versatility and pass-rush abilities will be key in the Knights’ ability to disrupt opposing offenses. “He’s probably the most aggressive guy we’ve got,” Bullock said. “He’s the guy (who is) attacking the quarterback on a routine basis … he’s relentless.”
UNDERCLASSMAN
LOVIE JENKINS, WR/DB (FR.) A standout in youth football and in middle-school track, Ocoee coaches have high expectations for newcomer Lovie Jenkins. Coach Ben Bullock has been impressed with the maturity with which Jenkins has approached being on the varsity roster — as well as his measurables. “He’s got great athletic ability and has a lot of potential,” Bullock said. “He’s expected to contribute and learn.”
All games at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Apopka Sept. 2 vs. Lake Nona Sept. 9 BYE Sept. 16 vs. Edgewater* Sept. 23 at East Ridge* Sept. 30 at Hagerty* Oct. 7 at West Port* Oct. 13 vs. Lake Howell* Oct 21 vs. Wekiva Oct. 28 vs. Lake Minneola* Nov. 4 vs. West Orange * denotes district game
2015 RECORD 6-4 (4-2 district) Most wins since 2009