Seffner Christian

At a glance

Coach: Travis Puleo, sixth season

Class: 2A, Region 3

Last season: 9-5, lost in state semifinals

Key players: C/DT Bryce Canterbury, Sr.; RB/LB Shykeem Johnson, Jr.; WR/KR/DB Jkobe Jones, Sr.; TE/DE Ryan Longman, Sr.; QB Jordan Magwood, Fr.; RB/WR/CB Terek McCant, So.; QB Aaron Turner, So.; TE/WR/DL Solomon Williams, So.;    

Schedule

Aug. 27 vs. Northside Christian, 7:30

Sept. 3 vs. Jacksonville North Florida Educational, 7:30 

Sept. 10 at Winter Garden Foundation Academy, 7

Sept. 17 Bye

Sept. 24 at Orlando Christian Prep, 7

Oct. 1 vs. Cambridge Christian, 7:30

Oct. 8 at Carrollwood Day, 7

Oct. 15 at St. Petersburg Catholic, 7

Oct. 22 at St. Augustine St. Joseph Academy, 7

Oct. 29 vs. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7:30

Nov. 5 vs. Bradenton Christian, 7:30

Outlook

The running backs are different. So too are the receivers, a few linemen and, well, you get the picture. New starters can mean only one thing: the continuation of a dynasty at Seffner Christian, where the names change but everything else remains the same. How else can you explain it? The Crusaders have been in this position many times. Take last year, when the team had five key players transfer to Carrollwood Day. No matter. Seffner still went 9-5 and made the state semifinals for the second straight season. This time, the Crusaders have an even bigger rebuilding job. They have to replace 16 seniors who graduated from a roster that included 44 players. The strength will be on the front seven of the defense. Ryan Longman and Solomon Williams anchor the line and Shykeem Johnson is one of the leaders of an aggressive linebacking corps. Though the skill players on offense are young, they are explosive. Jkobe Jones, who had 319 receiving yards and two touchdown catches last season, is poised to have a breakout year. He will be one of the top targets for Aaron Turner and Jordan Magwood, who are battling for the starting quarterback job.