The Gators have been one of the top powerhouses in their district over the last five years. Since 2014, they have an overall record of 52-10. They went undefeated in the regular season in 2014, and they followed that up with two state quarterfinal appearances in 2014 and 2015. This past season, they dominated the regular season before heading into the playoffs. Unfortunately, their momentum was halted in the second round against North Shore. Dickinson finished the year with an impressive 10-2 record.
If the past is any indication of what’s to follow, the Gators should be in line to have a strong 2019 season. Head coach John Snelson will be entering his eighth year with the program, sporting a 59-23-1 overall record. He will be leading a team that has the talent and potential to elevate this program even further.
The Gators lost several key players from last season’s team, most notably tight end Jalen Wydermyer and Cameron Galliher. Wydermyer especially will be missed, as his versatility as a receiver and blocker will need to be replaced. He will be attending Texas A&M in the fall, while Galliher will be playing at Henderson State.
Another big loss for the Gators is Bryce McNair, a 6’4 275-pound offensive tackle. The class of 2020 prospect moved to Florida and will attend Deerfield Beach High School.
Offense
The Gators offense averaged an explosive 41.5 points last season. Their high powered attack left their opponents backpedaling night in and night out. Leading the charge is 1st Team All-District quarterback Mike Welch (6’0, 186). Last season, he passed for 2,442 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for 747 yards and 17 touchdowns. His ability as a dual-threat quarterback makes him dangerous.
The offensive line will be led by 2nd Team All-District offensive guard Markale White (5’11, 305), who will look to repeat his dominating performance from last season. Keith Manney (6’0 260) is back at center and will be a senior leader upfront.
The Gators also possess playmakers on the outside with receivers Kai German (5’9, 160) and Darryl Harris (6’4, 190). Kai was 2nd Team All-District, while Harris earned 1st Team All-District. Harris caught 48 passes for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns. German caught 12 passes for 122 yards. They will look to use their speed and athleticism to overwhelm their opponents. Jarrell Simpson (5’11 160), Jabari Miller (6’5 190), and Ahmad Reed (5’11 160) are three more receivers for the Gators that will add depth to their receiving corps.
Sophomore tight end Donovan Green (6’4, 210) will be a player to keep an eye on, as his potential is sky-high. He has big shoes to fill since both starting tight ends have graduated, but his talent is undeniable. Green has already received offers from Oklahoma and LSU as a freshman, and will undoubtedly earn more as his game improves with experience. Jathan Caldwell, a 6’3 205-pound junior is another tight end that will contribute.
Jordan Green graduated after rushing for over 800 yards last season for the Gators. Dailon Farmer (5’10 193), Donovann Bradley, and Justin Wickware will all have increased roles at the running back position. Farmer rushed for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns last season and Bradley rushed for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns. Both backs averaged over 5 yards per pop and should get the bulk of the carries this season.
Defense
Dickinson’s defense only gave up a stellar 16.8 points last season, as they imposed their iron will on their opponents. They swarmed opposing teams, matching the intensity of their own dynamic offense. The strength of this defense lies in their secondary. They are the most talented group the Gators possess.
Returning is cornerback DJ Warnell (6’3, 190), cornerback Paul Smith (5’7, 160), and safety Savien Arnett (5’11, 165). All three made 1st Team All-District last season, as they combined for 160 total tackles and 3 interceptions. Warnell is the most dangerous of the three, as he has the size, technique, and instincts to guard any receiver. He already has offers from Power Five schools including Tennessee, Texas Tech, Purdue, Boston College, and Arizona. Smith is a polished corner with excellent cover skills, while Arnett’s versatility allows him to line up at safety or corner. Anthony Wickwire (5’11 175), Zaireon Stewart (5’10 145), Canon Anderson (5’10 175), and Zyshonne Simmons (6’1 154) are all talented defensive backs that will play a lot this season. This unit could go toe to toe with just about any secondary in the state.
Another group to watch out for is the deep and talented defensive line. The Gators have two elite edge rushers in defensive end Canon Boone (6’4, 230) and Marcellus Walters (6’1, 210). Both were 2nd Team All-District, and they combined for 62 total tackles and 6 quarterback hurries. On the interior of the line, the Gators have defensive tackles Victor Idusuyi (6’3, 290) and Derrick Martin (5’11, 275). Idusuyi has an offer from UTEP and was 2nd Team All-District last season, while Martin was 1st Team All-District. This unit has the potential to dominate in the trenches next season.
The huge addition to the defense is Jaron Denmon, a 6’0 220-pound inside linebacker that transferred in from Giddings High School. Denmon is a beast and will give this team an intimidating presence in the middle.
2019 Rivalry Game
The Gators have one rivalry game each and every year against the Clear Fall Knights. Sporting an all-time record of 6-1 against the Knights, Dickinson has taken a stranglehold on the rivalry since its inception. The most recent game saw the Gators annihilate the Knights 55-14. Although the rivalry has been one-sided so far, the two schools still share a mutual disdain for one another. What’s interesting about these two schools is that the rivalry stems from geographical location. In fact, the two schools are so close to each other, that if one was to climb to the top of Dickinson’s football arena, they would be able to see Clear Fall’s campus. It’s safe to say that as long as these schools are in close proximity to each other, this rivalry won’t be going away anytime soon.
2019 Outlook
The Dickinson Gators have a stacked roster from top to bottom. From the secondary to the passing game, they have the playmakers to make a real difference this season. It’s true that the Gators have had some really solid teams in the past, but this year’s team has the potential to be better than all of them. With so many returning starters, the Gators have the experience and leadership to overcome any challenge thrown at them. With some young playmakers also in the mix, this team has all the pieces it needs to succeed. If they can stay healthy and focused, they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2019.
