GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High football coach Kyle Kennard set up a 40 yard dash day on the Clay High football field with anticipation of seeing what kind of team speed the 2021 Blue Devils would bring to his encore season after last year’s playoff run in his first season.

“We want to just run some 40s, see what kind of times we can get today,” said Kennard, who finished at 11-2 last year; a regular season loss to Oakleaf and with a region finals finish; a 38-7 loss to Ocala Vanguard. “We want to see what kind of result the work we are doing is getting us. I expect some good times.”

Three top prospects for fast splits were senior running back Al’Querious Ray, who comes in as one of the top running backs in Florida after nearly 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns last year; Jarvis Lee, a junior defensive back with three interceptions and a knack of breaking punt and kickoff returns and Demaurion Frazier, a senior wide receiver (34 catches, 8TDs) expected to create chaos on both sides of the ball.

“Those three will probably be our fastest splits today with Brandon Comb a fast player coming back from injury,” said Kennard.

“Our linemen have some quick guys; Desiron Gantt is a track athlete and very agile; Zack Fordham, is a new face that will run down and destroy people at linebacker and Brad Warren is a top offensive lineman with great feet.”

Ray, one of the top prospects to light the season on fire next year, came in lean and fast with a 4.5 or 4.4 expected.

“I’ve been lifting, getting stronger,” said Ray. “We want to continue what we did last year.”

Gantt noted that three of the five “Train Depot” offensive line will return from last year’s squad that unleashed the Ray Train.

“We got a few candidates to fill the spots,” said Gantt. “That’s Clay football, the offensive line.”

One guy now coaching and adding to the offensive line prowess is former Clay High player Jarrod Leeds, who joins Kennard’s staff after a four year stint at Georgia Southern University. Leeds was a Clay Today offensive player of the year in his senior year; 2017.

“It’s a little less stressful being on this side of the whistle,” said Leeds. “I’ve played football since fourth grade and have had plenty of good coaches; Coach Lawrence here and Coach DeHart in Pop Warner, that I hope to take a little of what they gave me and give it back here.”

Leeds noted the knowledge from Clay High football offensive line created a good transition to his college football.

“The pace is a lot faster at the college level, but the basics I was taught were very helpful,” said Leeds. “Do the work, prepare everyday is pretty much what carries the day. Good attitude is what I look for most.”

Clay will have a few 7 v 7 passing drills clashes with the likes of Bolles, Creekside and Ponte Vedra in July.