Carrollwood Day

At a glance

Coach: Mark Jones (fifth season)

Class: 2A, Region 3

Last season: 0-9

Key players: OL Mason Arnold, Sr.; WR/LB Bryce Battle, So.; WR Amare Brown, Jr.; OL/DL Brandon Cleveland, Jr.; LB/DL Reggie Johnson II, Sr.; TE/DL Tony Livingston, Jr.; DL Desmond Mamudi, Sr.; QB Brendan Palamar, Sr.; WR/DB Bredell Richardson, Fr.; WR/DB DJ Pickett, Fr..; TE/DL Michael Trigg, Sr.; RB Kylen Webb, So.; OL Clay Wedin, So.

Schedule

Sept. 4 at Northside Christian

Sept. 11 vs. Calvary Christian

Sept. 18 Bye

Sept. 25 at Fort White

Oct. 2 at Bishop McLaughlin

Oct. 9 vs. Lakeland Christian

Oct. 16 vs. Akelynn’s Angels Christian Academy

Oct. 23 at Cambridge Christian

Oct. 30 Bye

Nov. 6 at Seffner Christian

Things to know

Talented transfers

Carrollwood Day was fortified this offseason with the addition of several high-profile transfers, including four from Seffner Christian — linemen Clay Wedin and Brandon Cleveland and tight ends Michael Trigg and Tony Livingston (featured photo above courtesy of JJ Battle). That’s not all. The Patriots also picked up defensive lineman Desmond Mamudi (Steinbrenner), offensive linemen Mason Arnold (Jesuit) and James Colston (Middleton) and running back Kylen Webb (Hillsborough) and receiver Amare Brown (Jefferson). That infusion of talent should do wonders in helping the Patriots rebound from an 0-9 season a year ago. 

Freshman phenoms

The transfers were not the only additions. Carrollwood Day also was bolstered by the addition of several big-time freshmen playmakers. The two biggest are Bredell Richardson, who already has an offer from Penn State, and DJ Pickett, who holds an offer from Miami. Both are receivers who give the Patriots plenty of dynamic targets in the passing game. 

The holdovers

The spotlight has been on the newcomers, but there are a few from last year’s roster who will contribute. Brendan Palamar remains the quarterback and should improve greatly from last year thanks to the infusion of talent. Ty Brown, the top running back a year ago, will team Kylen Webb in the ground game. And Reggie Johnson II, who had 32 tackles and a team-leading eight sacks last year, returns to the linebacking unit.