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1719246826_chs football.txt

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High football coach Kyle Kennard is pretty confident that the team he puts on the field in 2024 will answer the Blue Devils call of tough, scrappy and aggressive football that has been the staple at Clay High School.

"Clay has always had guys that fly to the ball on defense, great running backs that take three or four guys to take them down and big guys at the line of scrimmage to move people," said Kennard. "I think we are going put that kind of team on the field this year. We have a lot of the pieces developing this summer."
Against Palatka in their spring game, where Kennard came home from the usually tough Palatka stadium crowd, Kennard saw a starting point.
"Palatka had their usual explosive players; especially the quarterback and running back, both very fast and track stars," said Kennard. "We won 21-14 in the half, and for not knowing what they were going to do; I had to write down adjustments on some paper on the sideline like old school, we did alright," said Kennard. "We had to control their option and they got one bust; a pick-six interception for a touchdown."
Kennard, though without returning quarterback Merrick Rapoza (at a baseball camp), got solid movement at the point of attack on both sides of the ball.
"Up front, our big guys did some really good things," said Kennard."Our goal for the spring game was to get lined up, get eyes on your keys and run to the ball. We do that, we do fine."
Kennard used returner Eli Escoa at center, Josh Hetz at tackle and Blake Warren as his solid offensive line.
"We got some big boys," said Kennard. "Both Swilleys; Darius and Dominic, and we had some play from Omar Goosby but he had a big blister on his foot. The guy to keep an eye on is Aaron Stacy. He and Omar are going to be destructive on the defensive line. They both got that "Dawg" in them."
For the summer, Kennard noted a trip to a team camp at Webber International and maybe a few 7 v 7s; Bolles here in June, Keystone Heights in July.
"Clay doesn't set up and throw the ball as a matter of preference so 7 v 7 is not our game," said Kennard. "Our thing is a strong run game."
With three confident quarterbacks battling for the top spot, Kennard wants to see more strength work over the summer and conditioning.
"It's very difficult to test that conditioning and strength training until you put the pads on," said Kennard. "It's all fun and games until you get punched in the mouth as Mike Tyson once said. We just prepare to be the one doing the punching."
Kennard thinks the aura of Blue Devil football is to put the community back in the game.
"Since I've been here, I love this community and we want to give something back," said Kennard. "I preach that every day."