Preview capsules for Week 2’s Class AAAA slate:
Coconut Creek (Florida) vs. Marist, 11:45 a.m., Saturday at Hallford Stadium
Marist coach Alan Chadwick enters his 31st season with concerns.
“I just don’t know how we’re going to stack up against good competition,” Chadwick said. “We have some challenges.”
The War Eagles return five starters on offense and five on defense off of last year’s team, which finished 11-2, losing to eventual-champion Buford in a state quarterfinal. Junior Jack Dinges will quarterback Chadwick’s option offense.
“Great leader, extremely smart, extremely competitive,” Chadwick said of Dinges last week. “He’s getting better daily, but he’s not there yet.”
Running back Spencer Taylor is back, after injuring his knee the week leading up last year’s rivalry game against St. Pius. Taylor was a two-way starter and handled return duties on both punts and kickoffs.
“He’s back, as strong as ever, looks good,” Chadwick said of Taylor.
Marist opens against the Coconut Creek Cougars out of Pompano Beach, Florida. The Cougars knocked off Deerfield Beach 21-19 in their opener last week. Coconut Creek runs a wide-open spread offense, featuring touted 6-4 receiver Binjimen Victor. Corner Trayvon Martin is a top-10 recruit in Florida, according to 247sports.com.
With 333 wins, Chadwick is fifth on the state’s all-time wins list. He is 22-8 in season openers.
The morning kickoff between the War Eagles and the Cougars is the first of a four-game slate Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Battle of the Borders at Hallford Stadium.
St. Pius (No. 6 AAAA) at Blessed Trinity (No. 2 AAA), 7:30 p.m., Friday
Blessed Trinity returns its top playmakers from last season’s team that drubbed St. Pius, 42-20, in the season opener at the Golden Lions’ stadium.
St. Pius has plenty of experience, too, with as many as 15 players who started or played significant minutes in last year’s Class AAAA state championship game. But coach Paul Standard did shuffle personnel on defense, especially in the linebacking corps. Blessed Trinity running back Milton Shelton busted St. Pius’ defense last year for 150 yards.
Berkmar at No. 1 Buford, 7:30 p.m., Friday
Buford won its 41st straight game with a close 27-20 win over Eastern Christian Academy (Maryland) in Week 1.The Wolves won despite being outgained 352-191 and turning it over twice.
After winning their third straight state championship last year, coach Jess Simpson and the Wolves have a lot of new pieces this season. But, judging by last year’s score alone, Berkmar shouldn’t pose much of a threat. The Wolves stomped the Patriots of Class AAAAAA 56-0 in Week 2 last year.
Notes
--Thomson will hold a ceremony before Friday’s game against Washington-Wilkes to name the stadium after late coach Luther Welsh, who won three state championships in 19 seasons at Thomson. Welsh passed away in 2011.
--Other AAAA ranked teams in action:
No. 2 Cartersville at Cass, Friday
No. 3 Woodward Academy vs. Decatur, Friday
Jonesboro at No. 6 Sandy Creek, Friday
Henry County at No. 7 Griffin, Friday
Vidalia at No. 8 West Laurens, Friday
Jackson at No. 9 Mary Persons, Friday
Jefferson County at No. 10 Burke County, Friday
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