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Bald Predictions District Previews - District 8-3A

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While this district has two main players – Chaminade and Westminster Christian – that'll battle for supremacy, don't discount the other two programs. Look for both Everglades Prep and Somerset Silver Palms to hold steady in 2016.

Chaminade-Madonna Lions

2015 Record: 6-3 (District Runner-up)
Coach: Dameon Jones
2016 Outlook: Chaminade-Madonna is eyeing a return to greatness.

The Lions made strides in 2015 – finishing as district runners-up and making it to the postseason – but they appear to be ready to make some major waves throughout South Florida.

Chaminade was dealt an unexpected blow when head coach Jason Milgrom abruptly stepped down from his position the day before the opening of fall practice.

The Lions administration moved quickly naming former Hallandale coach Dameon Jones as the new leader. Jones is a veteran coach, but works with a "new school" flair that allows him to connect with his players – something that'll help him hit the ground running with Chaminade.

Still, from a talent standpoint, the 2016 Chaminade team could be among the school's best.

The Lions offense got a big shot in the arm with the arrival of former University School quarterback Henry Colombi. The 2015 Class 4A Player of the Year, Colombi has turned himself into one of the premier signal callers in South Florida.

Also coming over from U-School was Colombi's favorite target, receiver Josh Ali. Those two will team up with incumbent offensive spark plug 2018 running back Shaun Shivers.

The two additions that could end up be the factors that end up putting the Lions over the top are offensive lineman Adam Jancosko and 2018 linebacker Marlon Pelote. Pelote, a high-energy tackling machine, comes in from Booker T. Washington and will provide playmaking and winning know-how for a team that is definitely in the title contention conversation in Class 3A.

Because this Lions group has a chance to be special, Milgrom decided to build a schedule that would make any coach cringe – having games against Class 8A defending champ Flanagan and perennial power Deerfield Beach and a season finale against independent juggernaut Bradenton IMG Academy.

Now it'll be Jones' responsibility to guide this talented team through those rigors and potentially on a deep playoff run.

Everglades Prep Panthers

2015 Record: 5-5
Coach: Ryan Nani
2016 Outlook: For all intents and purposes, Everglades Prep had a successful 2015 season.

Naturally, the Panthers and head coach Ryan Nani would've loved to win a couple more games and possibly make the playoffs – but considering that Everglades Prep was playing in a district for the first time and is just entering its third year having a varsity football program.

Quarterback Demetrius Burns and wide receivers Kavon Holmes and Jonathan Caula – who transferred over from rival Somerset Silver Palms – are three players that could surprise people with their talent level. Burns (6-feet, 190 pounds) especially, since he's just entering his sophomore season and already has experience being one of the team's key contributors.

The player to watch, though, is freshman running back Sirr Daye. Daye already measures at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds and could quickly find himself as one of the featured pieces of the Panthers' offense.

Somerset Academy Silver Palms Stallions

2015 Record: 6-4
Coach: Frank DeSousa
2016 Outlook: One of the signs that a program that's building towards something is that they have a group of key seniors that they have to replace.

What takes the program to the next level is being able to replace those graduated leaders with other players that have worked their way through the program.

That's where Somerset Academy Silver Palms is entering 2016.

Gone is their resident "Mr. Everything" James Padro. Padro was the team's offensive leader and trigger man this past season, so they'll have to replace his playmaking and leadership in the huddle.

The defense will be in the hands of 2017 linebacker Aaron Chichester. Already holding an offer from Stetson, Chichester will be out to show that he can take his game – and his team – to another level in 2016.

Westminster Christian Warriors

2015 Record: 8-2 (District Champion)
Coach: Earl Little
2016 Outlook: It must be nice to replace one former professional football playing head coach with another.

So ends the Sedrick Irvin era with Westminster Christian and now starts the Earl Little era. Little comes in from Miami Jackson and takes over a Westminster Christian team that is in a "reload" stage.

The Warriors lost a core group of seniors but they have another nucleus of young stars ready to take on the mantle and keep the program moving forward.

2019 athlete Demetries Ford is one of those youngsters ready to make a big splash this season. What the 5-foot-8, 165-pound dynamo lacks in height he makes up for in heart and natural playmaking ability. Think Elbre Gaiter 2.0.

The other player that'll get a lot of folks' attention this season is 2019 defensive end/linebacker Jeramy Passmore. As he continues to learn how to use his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame to shed blockers, Passmore could become one of the more disruptive defensive players in Class 3A.

Senior Daniel Duasso will provide the leadership as well as anchoring coach Little's defense from the linebacker position.

The Warriors will need to get more consistent play at the quarterback position so that teams won't be able to load up against the run. Still, Westminster Christian is one of the top teams in this district and should make the postseason again.

Bald Prediction

This district firmly belongs to Chaminade. They are the captain now.

The Lions have "big school" talent and a coach that knows how to develop a program and win at the highest level. The only thing that could derail a Chaminade district title is a bad bite from the injury bug.

Chaminade does play a bear of a schedule this season, so coming out of it relatively healthy will be a tall task in itself. Still, that shouldn't derail the Lions from earning the district championship.

Westminster Christian will take the district runner-up spot. Even though the Warriors won this district each of the past three seasons, they lost a handful of its key offensive playmakers from this past season. However, Earl Little is a more than solid coach that has a knack for building a defense that could buoy a team and they have young prospects in place ready to step up.

Somerset Academy Silver Palms fell to rival Everglades Prep this past season, but I think the Stallions will have the upper hand this season and claim the third spot in the district.

Everglades Prep will come in fourth and Pinecrest Prep will look up at the rest of the district.

Predicted Champion: Chaminade-Madonna
Predicted Runner-Up: Westminster Christian

District MVP

Chaminade quarterback Henry Colombi gets the nod for district MVP.

Colombi turned just about everyone's head with his performance this past season at University School – earning the Class 4A Player of the Year honors.

No one should doubt Colombi's ability to grasp the new playbook and build chemistry with his new teammates. The challenge will lie in Chaminade's tough schedule. The Lions will face multiple stout defenses throughout the season and Colombi will not only have to stand up tall in the pocket but also make plays.

Bold Prediction

There's a particular bold prediction on my mind, but I'll hold that one close to the vest for now.

I will say that I think Chaminade-Madonna linebacker Marlon Pelote will be one of the top tacklers in the state by season's end.

Watching him as a sophomore at Booker T. Washington, Pelote was in on just about every other tackle and when he wasn't the one making the physical tackle – he was around the ball.

Moving to Chaminade will only help him because he'll get the best of both worlds – being surrounded by other top notch prospects while getting a first-rate education.

He's running on high octane tackling fuel.

Top Players

Aaron Chichester – Somerset Academy Silver Palms
Adam Jancosko – Chaminade-Madonna
Bernard Palma – Somerset Academy Silver Palms
Brandon Mincey – Chaminade-Madonna
Carlton "CJ" Williams – Chaminade-Madonna
Chris Whittaker – Chaminade-Madonna
Christopher Hernandez – Everglades Prep
Cody Watson – Chaminade-Madonna
Daniel Duasso – Westminster Christian
Darian Stephenson – Westminster Christian
Davoan Hawkins – Chaminade-Madonna
Demetries Ford – Westminster Christian
Demetrius Burns – Everglades Prep
Guillermo Toro – Somerset Academy Silver Palms
Henry Colombi – Chaminade-Madonna
Jeramy Passmore – Westminster Christian
Jonathan Caula – Everglades Prep
Joshua Ali – Chaminade-Madonna
Kalani Norris – Westminster Christian
Kavon Holmes – Everglades Prep
Keontra Smith – Chaminade-Madonna
Keyondre White – Chaminade-Madonna
Lorenzo Grigio – Westminster Christian
Marlon Pelote – Chaminade-Madonna
Matt Fernandez – Westminster Christian
Roderick Simms – Everglades Prep
Shaun Shivers – Chaminade-Madonna
Sirr Daye – Everglades Prep
Steve Jean-Baptiste – Chaminade-Madonna
Te'Cory Couch – Chaminade-Madonna
Xavier Williams – Chaminade-Madonna

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