Small-division south Florida football teams look to repeat in 2010

Dwyer, American Heritage-Delray and Glades Day all look to defend their state titles, while teams like American Heritage-Plantation and Belen Jesuit look to continue their journey for a state championship.

As opening day approaches, four teams from Florida's south region will look to defend their state championships this season. Three of those teams hail from the state's smaller classifications - Dwyer (4A), American Heritage-Delray (1A) and Glades Day (1B).

Dwyer will look to repeat its dream season from last year and extend its current 14-game win streak, while Glades Day looks to continue its dominance from last season led by arguably one of the nation's top offensive prospects in sophomore running back Kelvin Taylor.

Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens): 14-1 last year
The Dwyer football program returns all but three players from last year's team that won the Class 4A state title in a 42-14 romp over Niceville. Winning the state title, the school's first, helped the Panthers cap a remarkable season in which they averaged 46 points per game and finished with a 14-game win streak.

This season, the Panthers will be led by two key pieces from last year's team, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and tight end Nick O'Leary. Brissett, a senior, helped the Panthers win the Class 4A state championship after having a standout season in which he threw for 2,212 yards and 26 touchdowns, while also rushing for 415 yards and eight scores. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback is also a stellar basketball player who helped the Panthers' basketball program reach the state final four after averaging 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists throughout the playoffs. Brissett is one of the state's top prospects and is nursing offers from many of the country's top programs including Florida State, Miami, LSU, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Tennessee.

Nick O'Leary (6-5, 235) enters his senior season with the Panthers as arguably the top tight end in the nation. O'Leary, who is the grandson of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, is sifting through offers from almost every major collegiate program in the country including Florida, Miami, Florida State, Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia. Last season, O'Leary contributed greatly to the Panthers' championship run in which he caught a total of 43 passes for 679 yards and seven scores. Despite his pass catching and a route running ability, the all-state selection last year is also an excellent blocker while filling in on special teams as well. O'Leary will be the focal point of the Panthers' offense this season.

The defense will be led by defensive end standout Curt Maggitt. Maggitt, a senior, anchored a Panther defense that recorded seven shutouts while holding its opponents to four points per game last season. Maggitt (6-4, 210) has many offers from some of the nation's top programs, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Miami. Senior linebacker Leroy Kelson will look to aid Maggitt and the defensive unit. Kelson was second on the team in tackles last season and will also see time at receiver this year for the Panthers.

Big games: Sept. 6 at Glenville (Cleveland) in Ohio; Sept. 17 vs. Pahokee.

Belen Jesuit (Miami): 11-4 last year
After positing one of the best season's in school history, which resulted in an appearance in the Class 3A state championship, the Belen Jesuit football team returns this season recognized as one of the stronger 3A teams throughout Florida. The Wolverines return 11 starters from last year's team including defensive standout Nick Menocal. Menocal, a University of Miami verbal, plays defensive end and anchors a defense that lost six starters from last year's team. However, with certain acquisitions and players transitioning from offense to defense, the Wolverines should still be in a position to contend for a title again.

Running backs Imani Davis and Manny Sicre will help lead the offense this season for Belen. Davis, a junior, and Sicre, a senior, were a part of a backfield that amassed 3,286 yards and 46 touchdowns for the Wolverines last season. Senior receiver Javier Rodriguez will also see time in the backfield after showing blazing speed and running a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at a camp at the University of Virginia in the summer. Rodriguez's speed can be a nice complement to Davis and Sicre this season.

Big games: Oct 1. vs. American Heritage (Plantation); Oct. 15 at Glades Day (Belle Glade); Oct. 29 vs. Norland (Miami).

American Heritage (Delray Beach): 11-3 last year
Fresh off its second Class 1A state title in three years, the American Heritage football program will look to defend its championship this season against some tough competition. Comprised of mostly sophomores and juniors, the Stallions will have to rebuild and take a different approach in their offensive strategy due to the graduation of former quarterback Darius Milines. Milines was the focal point of their offense after rushing for 1,071 yards and 18 touchdowns, while throwing for 784 yards and 11 scores.

Glades Day (Belle Glade): 12-2 last year

Glades Day's Kelvin Taylor.

Photo by Gray Quetti

Glades Day enters the 2010 season with arguably the top sophomore offensive player in the country, running back Kelvin Taylor. Taylor (5-11, 210), the son of NFL veteran tailback Fred Taylor, had one of the best football seasons in Florida high school sports history after rushing for 2,601 yards and a state-record 47 touchdowns, while leading Glades Day to the Class 1B state championship. He totaled 49 touchdowns for the season as a result of two receiving scores.

For his career, Taylor, who won the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year award last season, has amassed 4,289 rushing yards and is closing in on former Escambia star and NFL Hall-of-Famer Emmit Smith's state record of 8,804 yards. Due to a slight tear of the meniscus in his right knee during spring practice, Taylor is fresh off arthroscopic surgery and should be ready for the start of the season.

*** The Gators (1-0) began their season last weekend with a 24-12 win over Twiggs County (Jeffersonville, Ga.) on Saturday. Taylor, a sophomore, rushed for 94 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.

Other Regional Notables:
The American Heritage (Plantation) high school football team has an emerging star in running back Sony Michel. Michel, a freshman, bursted onto the national spotlight last season after rushing for 1,825 yards and 20 touchdowns as an eighth grader. Michel wasn't only one of the top players in the state last year but he is arguably the top player in his class.

As a result of his stellar season last year, Michel earned a spot in the 2009 Football University Youth All-American Bowl in San Antonio were he totaled 276 all-purpose yards and ran for four touchdowns, while being named the game's MVP. Michel, who runs a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, is already being looked at by some of the nation's top collegiate programs and will look to help the Patriots get back to the Class 2A playoffs after losing to Glades Central 46-20 in the regional final. The Patriots finished 9-3 last season.

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