North gets younger, less mistake prone
If the North Fort Myers High School football team is going to make it to the postseason, it’s going to have to do it on the back of the most electric player the team has had since Noel Divine tormented opponents a decade ago.
They’re also going to have to cut down on the penalties and turnovers, a problem that kept a senior-laden squad from, perhaps, advancing to the postseason as the team lost three games by a touchdown or less.
“Those are things we want to minimize. I put that on my back as a head coach to mitigate those things that were our Achilles heel last year,” Head coach Earnest Graham said. “I feel we have those things addressed. We have a group that has put in a lot of time to play some disciplined football.”
The Red Knights offense will be built around junior running back Zaquandre White, the YouTube sensation who could be the most dynamic player in the area with his feet and hands.
“He brings a lot of things to the field. He’s a great running back, but also a great receiver. He does multiple things that make it tough to defend him,” Graham said.
For White to be effective, he will have to stay upright. The all-senior offensive line is expected to feature Avery Brooks at center, Caleb Bell and Josh Kniess at guard and Quinton Vollmer, Dean Lance and Roddy Evans at tackle and tight end, respectively.
Senior J’Ravien Anderson seems to have the inside track at quarterback, with Jared Rusnak backing him up. Joe Wilkins, Brandon King and Garrett Morton will be targets at receiver in the North spread offense.
The defense is expected to give multiple looks. Mike Crandall, Kniess and Evans are expected to man the front. Mi’cario and Lucious Stanley and Brandon O’Neill are expected to play linebacker, with Anderson, White, Freddie Johnson, Elijah Jones and Eddie Dorsey expected to start in a very athletic defensive backfield.
The Red Knights will play in District 6A-10, which will feature powers Charlotte and Port Charlotte to the north and Cape powers Island Coast, Cape Coral and Ida Baker, meaning the Red Knights will have to bring their best game every week.
At a Glance:
Head Coach: Earnest Graham (2nd year)
Assistants: Mack Mitchell (Def. Coord.), Ledondrick Rowe (cornerbacks), Shane Makar (Def. linemen), Jose Santiago (linebackers, Lorenzo Covington (running backs), Scott Ashby (Off. Line), Shame Arroyo (quarterbacks), Ed Gant (wide receivers).
2015 schedule
Aug. 20: Kickoff Classic vs. South Fort Myers
Aug. 28: vs. Riverdale
Sept. 4: vs. Fort Myers
Sept. 11: at Estero
Sept. 18: at Island Coast
Sept. 25 vs. Mariner
Oct. 2: at Port Charlotte
Oct. 16: vs. Charlotte
Oct. 23: at Ida Baker
Oct. 30: vs. Cape Coral
Nov. 6: at Barron Collier
2014 Results
Record: 5-5
Home: 3-3, Away: 2-2, District: 3-3
Braden River 35, North 32
Fort Myers 32, North 7
North 34, Gulf Coast 30
North 47, Mariner 0
Cape Coral 28, North 21
North 35, Cypress Lake 0
Island Coast 35, North 0
Lemon Bay 21, North 14
North 38, Dunbar 6
North 50, Bishop Verot 14