Nothing new here. High school coaches do this every year. At the end of the season, the staff may not say it, but they surely think it, “How are we going to replace so and so?” It’s part of game. Good, great and special players come and go. And as the their career slowly comes to a close as a high school player, another player has to fill the void next season.
Below, we have listed a few players that made signifigant impacts as seniors and will have big shoes for their predecessors to fill. Stats acquired from Maxpreps.com.
Alonso QB, Brandon Hawkins
“B Hawk” has been a staple in the Raven program for four years. A 2 1/2 year starter, Hawkins has grown in to a leader and dependable teammate. Over the last two seasons, he accounted for 3,005 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes. Brandon completed 32 more passes, threw 4 more touchdowns and passed for 477 more yards in his senior season versus his junior season.
Durant RB, Jamarlon Hamilton
How do you replace 2963 rushing yards, 474 carries and 38 rushing TDs? That’s a question Durant may have an answer for, but really hates to address. Hamilton’s production has increased dramatically each year since his sophomore season. Went from 110 carries and 506 yards as sophomore to 173 carries and 1117 yards as junior. Both seasons he had 9 rushing touchdowns. This season as a senior, Hamilton was responsible of 1340 rushing yards on a 191 carries and 20 TDs. All while helping Durant win 25 (25-9) games in those 3 years.
Hillsborough ATH, Nigel Harris
Each year, the Terriers have a special player. A player who is multidimensional and produces in a number of different categories for the BIG RED. This year was no different. Nigel Harris will leave Hillsborough and head to South Florida, leaving behind 301 tackles, 937 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs. A three year starter, Harris is dependable and reliable and will be missed as he helped Hillsborough to a 29-6 record as a starter.
Plant RB, Wesley Bullock
Wesley is one of the rare 4 year varsity players. Over his high school career, he has displayed toughness and grit. We have an idea how Plant will replace Bullock, but still difficult to negate a young man who has missed only 3 games in 4 years and posted back to back 1k rushing seasons as a starter. Plant is 25-2 in the last two years. A big reason they have been so successful, because Bullock has controlled the ground game with 2442 yards, 21 rushing TDs on a strong 353 carries.
East Lake QB, Pete Dinovo
The Former Eagle’s career at East Lake is well documented. He has helped bring East Lake to the forefront in the recruiting world and created a target for the football program, expected to be a top team in Pinellas County each year from here on out. His numbers are good, but his leadership and intangibles are what will be missed the most. The 3 year starter picked up his play each year. 93, 170 and 211 completions this year; 1327, 2426 and 2980 passing yards this year; 15, 19 and 25 TD passes this year. Pete Dinovo was 28-9 as a starter since his sophomore season.
Lakewood QB, Tracy Johnson
WR Rodney Adams and WR Marquez Valdes caught a lot of footballs for Johnson and as a trio, those three will be remembered. However, Tracy Johnson earned respect, made him the voice of the team. He played the position as it is suppose to be played. Controlled the huddle, commanded the offense and was the coach on the field. Only a two year starter, but is marked in he Spartan history books.
Largo QB, Juwan Brown
The Packers will miss Juwan Brown. Started at QB since his freshman year and has displayed resilience and fight. Fought injuries his sophomore and junior season, but bounced back with a vengeance this past season as a senior. Brown passed for 22 TDs and just 3 interceptions. 1610 passing yards, while throwing just 38 incomplete passes. Led by his on the field leadership, Largo finished the season 10-1 and district champions.
Pasco Duo ATH Janarion Grant and RB David Emmanuel
Emmanuel has 4161 offensive yards in the last 3 seasons. Grant has 3119 offensive yards of his own. Combined, the two Pirates are responsible for 7280 offensive yards since their sophomore year at Pasco. Both 3 year starters have done so much for the football program as a whole. Note, in that span, Pasco has only lost 3 football games (36-3).
Wharton ATH, Vernon Hargreaves
The national attention has been fun, yet hectic for Wharton and Vernon Hargreaves. The out of state move in three year ago has steadily pick up his game as expects started to praise his talent. He played every skilled position for the Wildcats: QB, RB, WR, slot, KR, CB, Safety and LB. So Wharton has to find a way to replicate Hargreaves production at so many different positions. 203 tackles and 9 interceptions as a Wharton Wildcat.