Prep Report

by: Jamie DeMoney
© More from this issue

          
PREP FACT

Last fall’s game between Louisville Catholic school rivals Trinity and St. Xavier drew 38,500 to the University of Louisville’s Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium

---

Monthly Roundup


Terry Eidson dropped athletic director from his list of duties at De La Salle (Concord, Calif.). The long-time Bob Ladouceur assistant (profiled in April Prep Report) will continue as defensive coordinator for the Spartans, who have won six National Prep Poll titles since 1994. Eidson will also continue teaching religion at the school. De La Salle won 39 CIF section titles in sports other than football in Edison’s 12 years as A.D. . . . Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) coach Tom Knotts will have a familiar face with him on the sidelines this fall. Bill Geiler, Knotts’ DC from 1983-2003, rejoined the Patriots after one year as head coach at Porter Ridge (Indian Trail). Geiler also was head coach at Independence in 2004 while Knotts was coaching quarterbacks at his alma mater, Duke. Under Knotts and Geiler, Independence has won 87 consecutive games with five straight Top 10 finishes in the National Prep Poll . . . The National Federation of High School Associations has banned the “fumblerooski” play beginning with the 2006 season. NFHS assistant director Jerry Diehl said eliminating the play will reduce confusion because offenses had to inform the referee before running the play. The “fumblerooski” is already not allowed in the NFL and college football. Rule 7-2-8 now states “The option to use a ‘planned loose ball’ has been removed.”

---

The State of Prep Football: Florida

The Prep Report continues its nationwide tour to spotlight the top coaches, programs and rivalries in high school football. This month we explore the college prospect hotbed state of Florida.

The Winners - The 5 winningest programs since 2000
1. Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (72-10): Coach George Smith
2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (71-10): Coach Mark Guandolo
3. Seffner Armwood (71-12): Coach Sean Callahan
4. Jacksonville Bolles (70-10): Coach Corky Rogers
5. Fort Meade (70-15): Coach Mike Hayde

The Champions - Most state titles since 1980
1. Jacksonville Bolles (7)
2. Jacksonville University Christian, Lakeland and Tallahassee North   
    Florida Christian (5)
3. Five schools are tied with 4

The 300 club - Florida coaches with at least 300 career wins
•     Charles “Corky” Rogers* (Lee, Bolles) 336-67-1
•     Carl Madison (Ernest Ward, Milton, Tate, Pine Forest, Pensacola,     three out-of-state schools): 323-133-7
•     Gene Cox (Jefferson County, Suwanee, Leon, Aucilla Christian):     313-99-4
(George Smith of St. Thomas Aquinas will enter the 2006 season with a 292-62 record).
*Active
(Source: National High School Sports Record Book)

Historymaker
NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith had a then-national record 45 100-yard rushing games and led Pensacola Escambia to two state championships from 1983-86. He finished with 8,804 yards and 106 touchdowns in 49 games.

Young Guns - Six elite Florida coaches under age 45
Kerwin Bell – Trinity Catholic
Kevin Fleury – Palm Beach Gardens
Leroy Foster – Pahokee
Bill Kramer – Naples
Roland Smith – Miami Northwestern
Willie Sneed – Glades Central

The Rivals - 13 of the state’s top rivalries
Miami Jackson vs. Miami Northwestern
Lakeland vs. Kathleen
Pahokee vs. Glades Central
Seabreeze vs. Mainland
Manatee vs. Bradenton Southeast
Mosley vs. Rutherford
Fort Meade vs. Frostproof
Rockledge vs. Cocoa
Edgewater vs. Boone
Blountstown vs. Wewahitchka
Niceville vs. Choctawatchee
Leon vs. Godby
Avon Park vs. Sebring

NEW BOOK!

Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach