This is our fifth installment of the FHSAA season preview. We kept track of teams and players around the state, spoke to coaches, and watched some fall ball and think we have a pretty good handle on who is who in each district. So here we go! To see Districts 1&2 click here, Districts 5 & 6, Districts 7 & 8, Districts 9 & 10, Districts 11 & 12District 3Episcopal looks to repeat as District 3 Champs with new head coach Glen CarterEpiscopal continues to be the team to beat in District 3. The Eagles won their district went 6-0 against district opponents last season and won their District Championship over Stanton by six goals. They have a very experienced new head coach, Glen Carter, who comes from Richmond University where he helped guide one of the countries top club programs into NCAA competition. Freshman Ethan Edwards and Junior Mark Weaver will lead the attack while junior Harry D’Agostino should have a break out season for the Eagles playing attack and midfield. Sophomore Tal Ponder should also make significant contributions at attack and middie.
At the midfield look for Seniors Thomas Adkins, Will Singletary, Quinn Magevney, juniors Nick Jangro, Jonathan Mackoul and sophomore Will Shepard to all see plenty of time.. Senior defensemen, Jonathon Killea and Michael Himebach (both team captains) team up with sophomore Jack Walker, who has one of the best sticks on the team and will contribute at both close and LSM.
Coach Carter is excited to be part of the program at Episcopal. “Actually, the overall commitment to athletics here at ESJ is incredible. We just embarked on a multi-million dollar campaign to improve all outdoor athletic facilities, which includes a new state of the art stadium with turf and lights as well as improvements to all practice facilities and a new top of the line weight room for our athletes.”
Stanton begins its 11th season of boys lacrosse in 2015 as Duval County’s longest continuously operating public HS lacrosse program. The new head coach is Sean Carolan, a recently retired Navy veteran. Coach Carolan will be looking to extend the team’s streak of five consecutive winning seasons.
Stanton begins its 11th season of boys lacrosse in 2015 as Duval County’s longest continuously operating public HS lacrosse program
As was the case last season, Stanton’s team strength will be on the defense despite graduating several excellent defenseman. Returning senior starter Jarrod Darrow along with junior Kevin Phillips and junior LSM Noah Hall will anchor the defense. Senior goalie Dalton Unsen will tend the net. Sophomore poles Jacob Reichle and transfer Regan Pompeo will add depth to what should be a strong unit. On attack returning starters junior Nick Story and senior Jake Mathews will provide plenty of experience and points production. They will be joined by junior John Fewell on the starting attack. At middie returning seniors Wilshem Pennick (FO), Matt Shinego and Jack Menzel will head this important unit with lots of competition for playing time occurring between a large group of junior and sophomore middies playing out during the season.
Paxon (4-8 in 2014,) Bishop Snyder (3-11 in 2014,) and Robert E. Lee (1-10) fill out this district.
District 4Defensive star Morgan Nurse graduated last year – the Stallions will look to Garrett Raab and Spencer Awad this seasonProvidence welcomes a new coach this season as long time Lake Brantley head coach Brian Theiss takes over a team that went 8-0 in district play last season. Look for the offense to be led by a pair of senior attackmen, Aaron Jollow and Gill West. Defensively it will be up to senior Garrett Raab and junior Spencer Awad to lead a team that graduated quite a bit of talent last season. Only one goal separated the Stallions from Episcopal in the first round of the play offs last season. It doesn’t get any closer than that and if Brian Theiss can get these guys going late in the season they just could be an upset team going into the play offs.
Fletcher was a somewhat distant second last season to Providence. They finished the season a respectable 8-4 after dropping the District championship to Providence by a score of 14-7. While they may not look like a threat to take over this district on paper there is one factor that should not be overlooked. Providence and Fletcher hate each other. The district championship was actually suspended by the officials last season and had to be completed the next morning. Anything can happen in rivalries like this.
Junior middie, Zach Thorton,is the leader of this Fletcher team. Head Coach Josh Covelli said, “Zach is the all around player and leader every team is looking for. Zach is a defensive middie with an offensive mind set.” Look for senior attackman Marshall Strickland to have a break out year. Strickland could be inconsistent in his production last season. If Fletcher is going to threaten Providence for the title this season they will need dependable production from him. Defensively they only return one starter. But Coach Covelli feels his guys are starting to come together. “They will be tested this year, we feel they are up to the challenge.”
This will be the first time in four years Fletcher is able to play a team from St. Johns county. We have documented some of the hurdles teams face trying to play lacrosse in Duval County since the “Bowling” incident of 2011. But Coach Covelli is starting to see a turn for the better. “We have three big games. (Creekside, Bartram Trail, & Nease.) Fletcher has had a lacrosse team for 9 years and has never hosted district playoff. This year we get to host the playoff. This is exciting time for Fletcher Lacrosse. “
Atlantic Coast was 5-10 last season and starts the year with a new coach, Josh Brown.
Sandalwood rounds out this district. They continue with very dedicated long time coach Mike Monlazun. The Saints look to improve upon their 2-12 season in 2014. They are a long way from winning this district, but they did have several one goal losses last season. A few goals at the right time could mark a decent outing for Sandalwood.
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