No. 10 – Seminole Seminoles

2016: 12-1, lost to Dr. Phillips 37-34 (2OT) in 8A state semifinals

Head Coach: Don Stark (2nd, 12-1)

Key Returners: OL Kenneth Horsey, LB Kobe Lewis, RB Vernon Mamwell, OL Landon Kennedy, LB Makel McClinton, S Hilton Mobley, TE Julius Pierce

The Scoop: 32 seniors graduated off one of the best Seminole teams in program history. The ‘Noles went undefeated in the regular season and advanced to the state semifinals before a heartbreaking 37-34 loss to Dr. Phillips. 10 seniors off that team signed to play college football, including DeMarco Artis (Baylor), Gabe Davis (UCF), Kaylan Wiggins (FIU), D.J. Hampton (Southern Illinois) and Ben Roth (Army).

Replacing that level of talent will be a major challenge for a talented, but largely inexperienced group of players. Freshman quarterback Timmy McLane is currently in line to be the starter and the ‘Noles project to have two sophomore starters on the offensive line. That group will rely heavily on the leadership of Kenneth Horsey, Jr., a 6-4, 325-pound senior who holds offers from USF, Mississippi State and Missouri. Senior Landon Kennedy will also be a key part of Seminole’s offensive line along with tight end Julius Pierce. Running back Vernon Mamwell, who started last year’s state semifinal because of an injury to Hampton, is one of several players who could see touches in the backfield.

Winter Springs transfer Eddie Key will help bolster the defensive line, which lost all four starters to graduation. Kobe Lewis, who was thrust into a starting role as a linebacker for the state semifinal, will miss the first few games with an injury but should return for Seminole’s key district games. Makel McClenton is another player to watch in the linebacker corps. Safety Hilton Mobley experienced a breakout sophomore season with 38 tackles and two interceptions and figures to be even more productive as a junior.

Quotable: “I carry that chip on my shoulder every time I practice and when I’m working out, when I’m on the field, when I’m with the guys because I tell them I remember how it feels and I don’t want to feel that again.”  -Horsey on last year’s playoff loss

Schedule

Aug. 25 @Lake Howell

Sep. 1 vs. DeLand

Sep. 8 vs. Jensen Beach

Sep. 15 vs. Orange City University*

Sep. 28 @Lake Brantley*

Oct. 6 vs. Lyman*

Oct. 13 @Oviedo*

Oct. 20 vs. Winter Springs*

Oct. 27 vs. Lake Mary*

Nov. 3 @Bishop Moore

*8A, District 2 game

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Eight months later, the emotions are still raw.

“I’m not over it,” senior linebacker Kobe Lewis said.

Pick your adjective – heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, traumatic.

They all apply to describe the finish of last year’s state semifinal between Seminole and Dr. Phillips.

In the second overtime period, a ‘Noles field goal attempt bounced off the left upright and landed in the end zone. That miss resulted in a 37-34 Dr. Phillips victory.

“I remember when the ball hit the goal post,” senior offensive tackle Kenneth Horsey, Jr. said. “I remember Coach Hernandez, all he said to me was just remember this feeling. See you on Monday, let’s get to work.”

Three days after a soul crushing defeat, the ‘Noles were back in the weight room.

“Since the weekend after the final four, that’s when we started thinking about next season,” Lewis said.

Next season is here.

After graduating 32 seniors, the ‘Noles are reloading with talented youngsters. And they’re ready for the challenge of building on last year’s success.

“They’re eager. They know a lot of people are doubting them and don’t think we can have the same type of success we had last year,” ‘Noles coach Don Stark said. “They want to come out and show they’re good football players as well.”

Said Lewis: “We have to live up to a standard that we set last year.”

For Horsey, success this season starts with not forgetting last year.

“I carry that chip on my shoulder every time I practice and when I’m working out, when I’m on the field, when I’m with the guys because I tell them I remember how it feels and I don’t want to feel that again,” he said.