Team motivated by early exit from playoffs last year
DEERFIELD BEACH — Every year, there’s motivation for Deerfield Beach, a perennial contender that has never been able to capture that elusive title, to be that first team to bring a championship back home.
But there’s a little more inspiration around the returning Bucks players that were on last year’s team and had their season end far too prematurely, getting upset at home in a regional quarterfinal against Western.
Coach Jevon Glenn is making sure the 2018 Bucks don’t have that same kind of slip-up.
“You got some guys not taking it as serious as they need to be [last year],” Glenn said at Wednesday evening’s practice, “which provides the fire for these guys to know: You can get beat on any given night if you don’t come out [strong].
“We’re just hungry. I think our leadership is better. Our offseason was excellent. We’re focused.”
With a new season comes new leaders, and on the defense, which remains potent, senior outside linebacker Ge’mon Eaford is taking the reins.
“I’m running the show this year, just to let you know,” Eaford said. “I’m taking that role this year. It’s going to be way different — way, way different. I ain’t going out losing in no first round senior year.”
While that loss lingers in players’ minds and provides extra fuel, it’s not to be spoken of at practice leading up to this season.
“We don’t really talk about it because, [if ] we talk about it, we start reminiscing,” said junior running back and Oklahoma commit Jaylan Knighton. “We’re just going into the season focused and ready to compete.”
Knighton said he improved on his speed and agility, along with leg strength, to break tackles after a first-team All-County sophomore season that saw him run for 1,223 yards and 15 touchdowns.
He’ll be relied upon again for an offense that needs to produce more in big games. Incumbent starter at quarterback Tyron Herring, a senior, is competing with junior Derohn King, a Piper transfer. Herring may also play some defensive back, where he projects better as a college prospect.
Whoever the quarterback is, he’ll have a deep receiving corps to throw to between juniors Deajaun McDougle and Bryce Gowdy and seniors Donte Banton and Dashaun Davis. The offensive line is anchored by returning starter and center Jordan Bostic.
The Bucks’ front seven on defense is fierce. Eaford is a versatile linebacker who has contributed significantly since his sophomore season on the team that lost to eventual state champ Miami Southridge in a state semifinal. Brandon Moses is the Mike linebacker. The defensive line has depth and is spearheaded by Brandon Dorlus, tackle Javon Denis and end Romelo Rutty, among others.
“Jamarius Landers is a dog,” Glenn said. “I mean, some of the other guys got bigger offers than he does, but he’s the one, if I’m walking in an alley, I’m taking him and I’m liking our chances.”
In the secondary, Marcus Lafrance is a long, physical safety with excellent coverage skills. Keyon Martin is a smaller cornerback who is likely to start opposite of junior Anthony Prospere.
Deerfield starts with an immediate challenge, facing Chaminade-Madonna in the regular-season opener after the two teams faced each other in kickoff classics the previous two seasons.