Frostproof looking to talented, young core for playoff run – The Ledger
Frostproof never got the chance to see how good it really could be last season under first-year coach Rod McDowell. Covid forced the cancellation of several games, and the Bulldogs ended up playing just four regular-season games — all wins — before dropping a playoff game to Berkeley Prep.
This year is a fresh start, although several key players from last year’s squad have graduated, including leading rusher Willie Knighten and wide receiver defensive back Deandre Knighten.
“We lost a lot of talent, but I think we’re replacing them with younger guys but very talented younger guys,” McDowell said.
BULLDOGS
HEAD COACH: Rod McDowell (2nd year).
COACHING STAFF: Clay Brantley, Greg Bell, Jimmy Pierre, Charlie Warren, Sam Billante.
2020 RECORD: 4-1.
CLASS/REGION: 3A-2.
LAST TIME IN PLAYOFFS: 2020, lost to Berkeley Prep, 35-6.
HOME FIELD: Faris Brannen Stadium.
KEY LOSSES: Alex Bennett, DeAndre Knighten, Jesus Rodriguez, Tyson True, Willie Knighten.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR/DB Davion Williams (6-0, 175, Sr.), QB Nathan Jenkins (6-0, 175, Jr.), DE/LB/OL Harper Henson (6-0, 245, Jr.), WR/DB Xaivier Gay (6-3, 180, Jr.), RB/LB Chris Gordon (5-10, 207, Sr.), WR/DB Lawrence Hamilton (5-10, 165, Sr.), RB/LB Isaiah Sheppard (6-0, 190, Jr.), WR/DB Daiveon Pittman (6-3. 175, So.), OL/DL RJ Mullis (5-11, 260, So.), TE/LB Christian Capers (6-0, 230, Jr.).
2021 SCHEDULE
All games at 7:30 p.m. except noted.
Aug. 20: Davenport (FC)
Aug. 27: Clewiston
Sept. 3: At Hardee
Sept. 10: At Okeechobee
Sept. 16: Akelynn’s Angels Christian (Thurs, 7 p.m.)
Oct. 1: Discovery
Oct. 8: Arcadia DeSoto County
Oct.15: At Lakeland Christian
Oct. 22: At Mulberry
Oct. 29: Avon Park
Nov. 5: Fort Meade
OFFENSE
The offense starts with quarterback Nathan Jenkins, who is now a junior. He is growing into the starting job in terms of talent and leadership.
“The maturity of Nathan Jenkins at quarterback from his sophomore year to last spring was tremendous,” McDowell said. “I thought he played his best game in the spring. I look for him to continue and carry the that momentum into the regular season.”
He’ll have weapons at wide receiver in Davion Williams and Xavier Gay. Both players have breakaway speed and can be playmakers. Lawrence Hamilton is also a playmaker on offense, and Chris Gordan takes over as the feature running back. Working with a personal trainer in Texas over the summer, Gordon comes in leaner and faster. He’s athletic and can be a workhorse in the backfield.
The offensive line is young but have worked together and could be a strength, led by center Cody Respress and tackle Harper Henson.
“We should be very good on offense,” McDowell said.
DEFENSE
The Bulldogs will go with a four-man front and have versatile players who can move around. Henson will be a key player and can play on the line or at linebacker.
Hamilton is a playmaker at outside linebacker along with Isaiah Sheppard on the other side. Gordan is a solid linebacker.
The secondary could a strength with cornerbacks Williams and Daiveon Pittman.
“We’re long, we’re taller than most Frostproof team typically are,” McDowell said. “When we can roll out cornerbacks both of them are 6 feet 3. It’s certainly going to benefit us now that we’re back 100 percent eligible and healthy.”
OUTLOOK
Frostproof has been in a rut for the past 10 to 12 years or so. Since going 10-3 and 11-2 in back-to-back years in ’07 and ’08, the Bulldogs have been basically .500 team — one or two games above or below, except for last year’s 4-1 record and a 2-7 record in 2015. Their record over the past 12 seasons is 62-62.
McDowell, the starting center on the 1999 state championship squad is looking to return Frostproof to those year when the Bulldogs were a consistent state contender.
COACH’S COMMENT
“The key is commitment. Do the kids buy in and understand that they have a real opportunity to have the best Frostproof team that we’ve had in half a generation. If they can buy in, we can go a long way.”
— McDowell
Roy Fuoco can be reached at roy.fuoco@theledger.com.