Saint Stephen’s has won back-to-back SSAC titles. Falcons have their sights on a three-peat.
You can’t miss it.
Entering Turner Field hanging from a fence is a green-and-gold banner that reads: BACK 2 BACK SSAC FOOTBALL INDEPENDENT STATE CHMPIONS 2016 2017 with the Falcons logo between the years.
It is a testament to Saint Stephen’s recent run of success symbolizing a 21-1 record in that two-year span. No pressure for the current team, right?
Not if you ask coach Tod Creneti, who reasoned, “I think it reminds them that the bar is high and the expectations are high. It really serves as a reminder.”
Sure, it is much too early to predict another championship run, but the Falcons already have a dominating performance and the regular season has yet to begin.
Saint Stephen’s posted a 28-0 shutout of Lake Mary Prep in last week’s Kickoff Classic — a preseason victory for sure but a lopsided one just the same.
Cam Vining, one of the holdover skill players from last season’s 10-0 team that defeated Windermere Prep 49-21 for the state title, ran for a touchdown, caught a pass from Xavier Williams for another and scored on an interception return in the Falcons’ preseason win.
Patrick O’Keefe connected with Ty Barker to close out the scoring.
Lost to graduation were former offensive standouts Fred Billy (2,023 combined yards rushing and passing with 29 touchdowns last season), Chase Brown (1,508 rushing, 27 touchdowns), triple-threat Demetrius Davis and Sydney Brown.
“All those kids, there’s tough boots to fill,” the coach said. “But I think our kids came in eager to show that we have the passion to be successful.”
Now it’s Vining’s turn with the junior running back joined by a handful of other skill players, including wide receiver Ty Barker and the two aforementioned quarterbacks.
“Our skill kids have really grown a lot over the preseason,” said Creneti, who is expected to name his co-captains sometime before the first game, which follows a bye week to begin the regular season.
What can go right in 2018
The quarterback duo of Williams and O’Keefe works out and keeps defenses playing the guessing game. Both play in the secondary as well with Williams lining up at cornerback and O’Keefe at strong safety.
“Both kids are continuing to fight for the job,” Creneti said.
For the Falcons’ offense to click, Vining will have to do in the regular season what he did last week and show he can be the go-to rusher and receiver with newcomer D.J. Clark providing a spark out of the backfield as well. Vining, a junior, gained 212 yards and scored three touchdowns last year.
The defensive front seven, which proved too much for Lake Mary Prep too handle, is as tough as it gets. That vaunted unit, which clearly is the team’s strength, features linemen Dylan Davis, Darron Robinson and Tyler Burnham, the latter of whom is coming off an eight-sack season; along with linebackers Truman Carlsen, Vining and Clark. Vining had a team-leading 108 tackles last season.
“We felt we were going to be strong up front,” Creneti said. “We had a lot of kids coming back so there’s depth in those places. Those kids showed up and worked hard.”
What can go wrong
Don’t expect any of the Saint Stephen’s skill players to match the crazy numbers put up by Billy and Brown last season, but this year’s group will have to rely on a collective effort to move the yardsticks with Vining likely set to lead the way.
Difference-makers
It all starts up front for the offense and the Falcons have a formidable line that is anchored by all-state center Dalton Francis and left tackle Dylan Davis.
“He’s not the biggest lineman we have, but he’s got a motor that’s unbelievable,” Creneti said of Francis, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior.
As for Davis, arguably the team’s best two-way lineman, the coach said, “He’s the guy who makes us go. He gets us going on both sides of the ball. Cam Vining is the same way.”
The offensive line likely will win its share of battles on the line of scrimmage. Also in that group are Treighten Bauer, Jack Peebles, Burnham, Carlsen, Robinson and Alex Sket.
And once again, the defensive front should most assuredly make a difference in the outcome of most, if not all, of the Falcons’ games.
The last word
“A lot of those guys have been leaders,” Creneti said of his front seven on defense. “They are kids who all work exceptionally hard. They play physical and that sets the tone for our program.”
Saint Stephen’s 2018 schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Tampa Cambridge Christian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Windermere Prep, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at St. Petersburg Northside Christian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Out-of-Door Academy, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Tampa Bayshore Christian, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Bradenton Christian, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Largo Indian Rocks Christian, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 21, 2018 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Saint Stephen’s has won back-to-back SSAC titles. Falcons have their sights on a three-peat.."