Heating Up: Stoneman Douglas Eagles
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Talk to many people across South Florida and mention the name Willis May and there's a good bet that the reaction will be mixed. Mention that same name in northwest Broward County and things will be much different.
All May has done since arriving at Douglas High in Parkland is win and develop talent. In a high school football world that is dictated by how many rings you have a chance to wear, the approach that this native West Virginian has taken is much different.
While the Eagles failed to make the playoffs last year, losing to Piper and district champion Deerfield Beach, there were a number reasons that things fell off from the year before when they beat Deerfield for the first time over a decade.
"We lost a lot of young men that we counted join the year before," May said. "But even though we didn't make the playoffs, this is a team that never stopped learning and developing."
The work this program puts together during the course of a year is crazy. They attend everything from camps and combines to more team-oriented events such as line camps and 7-on-7 events.
As the 2016 season approaches, this is a team that is as skilled up front on the offensive line as any program in South Florida. Led by recent University of Minnesota commitment Corey Gaynor, the size, skill level and over athleticism that the line has is being noticed by everyone. In addition to Gaynor, fellow seniors Nick Weber and Michael Dudley; and juniors Jack Fris and Lucas Taylor will open the way for several athletes who will be asked to step up in a major way.
"This line has been developing and maturing the past two years," May said. "We knew that with a few younger athletes on this team, the offensive line would give them the time needed to ease into the flow of the game."
Seniors expected to make a difference on the offensive side of the ball include receiver Da'Quan Bailey-Brown, quarterback Daniel Grusky and tight end Nick Longley.
Defensively, Courtney Douglas and Alexander Cadelus will be solid up front, with standout linebacker Daniel Crescitelli; and talented secondary performers in Trent Baldeo, Matthew Cabey.
"The senior class will be so very important to our success," May explained. "Where we have so much underclass talent, it's this group of 12th graders that are going to be needed for leadership and leading by example."
The junior class - the athletes who May has been talking about for two years - now gets the chance to step up. On offense, quarterback Tyler Goodman has been getting a lot of attention. So has running back Riley Allison, who grew three inches and gained 20 pounds. Receiver Tate Lehtio has been extremely impressive, following in the footsteps of his brother who is now at the University of West Florida.
On defense, safeties Joey Mondelli and Christian Rodriguez have been impressive along with cornerback Bradley Vilsaint and linebacker Yohance Williams.
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
2019 – Clarence Burley, CB
2019 – Miles Dickens, TE
2017 – TyShawn Cruz, RB
2017 – Jared Hollander, K
2018 – Brandon Huff, FB
2017 – Deion Lawrence, DE
2017 – Ezekiel Leclerc, DE
2017 – Nick Longley, TE
2017 – Jhan Orozco, P/K
2018 – Eddison Pratts, DB
2018 – Robbie Rodriguez, LB/FB
2019 – Patrick Scullen, OL
