Middleburg High's Broncos football team showed off a keen element of what is to be expected next season as an offense led by two quality quarterbacks put a slew of scores on the board as the Broncos hosted Bishop Kenny High in a 7 v 7 summer passing scrimmage Wednesday morning.

On the other side of the ball, former Clay High defensive guru John Stilianou was installed back as Athletic Director at Middleburg and as  a defensive coach with the fiery tactical defensive wizard back directing defensive schematics. 

"We have had two previous scrimmages cancelled by the other team and we just wanted to see how the kids would do on the field against someone else," said Bronco coach Ryan Wolfe, who finished at 7-4 last year with a region playoff berth; his third in a row.  "We looked a little out of sorts in the first series because a game is a lot faster than practice, but the boys responded, adjusted and then were able to score at will."

One bright spot for the Broncos was the look of transfer quarterback Mason Baccus, a Nease High region semifinal quarterback last year, who was able drop dimes in the end zone to wide outs Deshun Green, Jordan Williams and even running back Gino Addison, also a new transfer player from Bradford County.

Addison, a swift, burly ball carried with deceptive foot speed, found a seam straight down the center of the Bishop Kenny defense and hauled in an over the shoulder bomb of about 40 yards from Baccus.

"He's a great addition," said Wolfe. "We will finally have another great running back behind our quarterback to remind us of Michael Mitchell and T.J. Lane who are now major college players."

Green, a 6'-3" product with long arms and strong hands, twice climbed the proverbial ladder to steal passes lofted into the end zone by Baccus.

"Our wides are going to have some fun with Mason and Jayvon Moreno both giving us solid quarterbacks with strong arms," said Wolfe.

On defense with Stilianou, on his third day as Middleburg Athletic Director, back in the grass from his office job as Clay County Athletic Director, was stingy across the turf, but vulnerable against the multidirectional Bishop Kenny attack. Stilianou was the architect for nearly a decade of Clay High's strong defensive units that were annually deep playoff finishes under head coach Joshua Hoekstra. 

"They were showing us stuff that these guys have never seen," said Stilianou. "Bishop Kenny is one of best offensive teams in north Florida and they already had three passing scrimmages before us. This was our first and our guys responded nicely as the scrimmage progressed because they listened to their coaches and they cared about fixing their mistakes quickly. That's what I saw and I'm excited to be a part of a team that comes together like that."

For Stilianou, the return to grass under his feet was a life decision that he and his wife both thought was in his blood.

"You know, you got to do something that you really love to do," said Stilianou. "I had a great job in the Clay County office, met some great people and some great kids from all the sport, but, in the end, my life's direction had to get back to the field, the huddle, the camaraderie and the ability to hopefully make an impact on kids and their futures in life."

For defensive coaches Benjamin Straywick and Alan Burnsed, the addition of Stilianou's experience and immense energy will only add to a tough defense expected by the staff led by linebacker Kaden Hanifen and safety Keensdee Roseme with Floyd Reed on the edges and newcomer Darrick Marshall making the play of the day with an over the top pass breakup late in the contest. 

"We get Bartram Trail in July to play us after the kids take the first week of July off to enjoy their summer," said Wolfe. "After that, football begins."