Football teams getting ready to go
New head coaches take over at Island Coast, Ida Baker
It’s that time of year once again where shoulder pads are being strapped on, chin straps are being tightened and high school football programs start chomping at the bit to get back onto the field.
Friday nights are about to get turned up across Southwest Florida as countless talented teams call the region home after a season shortened by Hurricane Ian.
The Breeze will highlight West Zone and other local teams leading into the regular season to give fans an early look at their favorite team. We sat down with each head coach and select players a series of questions on what they expect from their program.
Look for continued coverage of local high school programs in The Breeze in upcoming editions as we continue the journey to Friday nights where the lights shine the brightest.
Island Coast High School
Head Coach: Tyran Jones (1st year; on staff last season)
2022 record: 3-4 (1-2 District)
Competes in: 3S District 14
Preseason: Aug. 19 at Riverdale
Week 1: Aug. 24 at Bonita Springs
The Gators are now two seasons removed from the 2020-21 campaign that saw two playoff victories. First-year head coach Tyran Jones takes over for Chris Burnett (who will stay on staff), and will rely on athletic playmakers to carry the offense. The team boasts a mix of youth and upperclassmen, with outside threats on both sides of the ball with size and talent.
How do you feel as a program heading into the season?
“We had a really, really great summer coming in. My leadership guys, I lean on to do some of the in-house locker room things, leaning on them as far as accountability and keeping me in the loop of what’s going on. And they’ve done a great job of doing that.”
Expectations from the team on and off the field?
“We have great grades as a team, and maintained a good GPA throughout last year. We have little issues with these guys off the field. On the field, I have very high expectations for us this season. I know a lot of people are thinking it’s going to be a down year. It’s not. We want all the smoke, and looking forward to it. We’re looking forward to really winning some of these games people are counting us out of.”
How do you plan to build off of last season?
“This year, we are moving (some pieces around) and we’re building confidence. We’re going to lean a lot on the run game this year and let our guys do what needs to be done to move the defense. We have leaders on our defense who know what to do, they watch a lot of film and relay what needs to be done to their teammates.”
How would you describe your coaching style/team identity?
“Our identity is going to be to run the ball. We’re going to be disciplined, nasty, gritty and we’re going to play our style of ball. We’re going to celebrate. We’re going to be one of those teams that people are going to be upset at. And I want people to be upset, because we want to bring a new style of culture to Island Coast that we’re going to be here to stay. We want people at our games to see what we got.”
What do you hope to take as a whole from this upcoming season?
“A learning experience. I want to learn about the game – getting my players ready, holding them accountable, reaching out to coaches and building those college relationships.”
Expected challenges?
“The heat. The heat and the lightning. And during the games, the rain. But we’re trying to do certain things to make sure we’re ready for those challenges.”
Players to watch this year?
• Anthony Harris, LB, 2025
• Gervaris Leaphart, RB, 2025
• Kobey Babernitch, WR/SS, 2025
• Rex Elliot, QB, 2026
• Virdareys Maloy, DB, 2025
What has the team chemistry been like so far with the team?
“We all work together and we play as a team. We play together to win.” – Babernitch
What do you think will make this group successful?
“The hard work that we put in will make us successful. Also listening to our coaches and learning our playbook.” – Leaphart
“Hard work. Teamwork. And playing together.” – Harris
How has the coaching staff pushed you to be your best heading into the year?
“The new coaching staff and playbook and formations we have are going to make us successful on both sides of the ball.” – Elliot.
Ida Baker High School
Head Coach: Steve Howard (1st year)
2022 record: 4-4 (0-3 District)
Competes in: 4S District 15
Preseason: Aug. 18 vs. Fort Myers
First regular season game: Aug. 25 at Cape Coral
Howard, an Ohio native and coach with experience at the collegiate level as well as in high school action around the county, takes on his first head coaching gig with the Bulldogs. Ida Baker won three of its first four games last season before dropping three straight to division opponents. Scoring points didn’t come easy down the stretch for the Bulldogs last season, and we’ll see what the team’s future looks like under new leadership in time.
How do you feel as a program heading into the season?
“I feel good. I’m excited in the direction we’re moving. I took over in March and started to lay the foundation of ‘what’s new’ at Ida Baker – what’s going to be different, how things should be moving forward. I’m excited about it, I know the guys are excited about it and excited to see their hard work pay off and come together when things count.”
Expectations from the team on and off the field?
“On the field is effort. I preach it day in and day out. It’s something that they have to give every single time. It’s one of those things where if they don’t give great effort on every play on every snap, it’s going to affect somebody. And they’ve got to be willing to do that for the guy next to them, behind them, and in front of them. Expectation outside of the field is for them to be great in the classroom, great in the community, great in the school. There’s always that stigma about football players. That preconceived notion. I want to change that with our guys and that every place we leave, we leave it better than we find it. It’s being good people and doing things the right way.”
How do you plan to build off of last season?
“I’m not worried about last year. This is a clean slate. This is brand new. Things are totally different. I’m worried about these guys improving on a daily basis – every day and every game. And them being better human beings. I could care less about last year. I’m worried about now, and the guys I have here now.”
How would you describe your coaching style/team identity?
“My philosophy is based on discipline and accountability. And to maximize everything that you do and give great effort all the time. It’s based on hard work. I’ve had some great mentors to help guide me and show me the right way and I’m doing my best to emulate them. I want people when they get done playing us on a Friday, I want them to know they played us. They’re going to see hard work, guys that finish plays, guys with heart and play together. I want people to see what our guys have done together to do something great on the field.”
What do you hope to take as a whole from this upcoming season?
“I want the guys to have enjoyed it. I want them to be happy about the season – to enjoy what they’ve done and the time we spent together. These times you don’t get back. And every coach says your four years go by fast, and next thing you know, you’re in that situation. I’m excited about these guys that have laid the foundation for what is to come next.”
Expected challenges?
“I’m taking it one day at a time. Every day brings a new challenge. Every day brings anything at a whim. I can’t worry about tomorrow, the only thing I can worry about is today and then move on to the next one. One of the challenges that we’ll all have to battle is conditioning. I think that’s the biggest challenge.”
Players to watch this year?
• Kervens Batalien, OL/DL, 2025
• Adrian Scott, QB/CB, 2025
• James Donnelly, S/RB, 2024
• Brendon Donnelly, FB/LB, 2024
• Joseph Miceli, OL/DL, 2024
What has the team chemistry been like so far with the team?
“At this point, we’ve all kind of bought into the process. There’s a big change from last year, but we’re seeing results in the weight room and other areas. We’ve all bought in.” – James Donnelly
What do you think will make this group successful?
“Just us working together and being a team. Working hard.” – Brendon Donnolly
“Us not only playing as a team, but also giving our full effort at each of our positions will help us be truly successful.” – Batalien
How has the coaching staff pushed you to be your best heading into the year?
“It’s been good getting to know our new coaches. All summer while working out we could see the impact. It’s nice to have new coaches to take in new information and new stuff to learn.” – Brendan Donnolly
“There’s been a lot more structure and rigor this year.” – Miceli
— Connect with Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad on Twitter: @haddad_cj
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com