By Johnny Inama

     The Ponte Vedra Sharks football team is coming into the 2023 season hungry for success, coming off a 5-5 season in their second year under Head Coach Stephen Price. The team lost several skilled players, and this years’ senior class of 30 players have big shoes to fill. Seniors such as center, Jake Guarnera, quarterback, Ben Burk, and defensive back, Joe Mahoney are just a few of the key players that will largely contribute to the success of the squad this year. The Sharks worked very hard in the offseason, practicing five days a week over the summer. “I think we’ve gotten significantly stronger over the offseason,” said Coach Price. The Sharks started the season against Mandarin high school in a preseason game on Aug. 18, who had the same record as the Sharks last year at 5-5. “I think we’ve done all the work, we just need to execute, play fast, block and tackle,” said Coach Price about the readiness of the team before their first game.

     The Sharks faced off against the Mandarin Mustangs in the Kickoff Classic at Mandarin high school on Aug. 18. The Sharks scored first with an early touchdown from junior running back, Brian Case, to give the Sharks a 7-0 lead. Mandarin responded before the end of the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7 with three quarters to go. The Sharks regained the lead with a second quarter touchdown from senior wide receiver, Cole Madson, to put the Sharks up 14-7. Mandarin was able to put together another touchdown drive before the end of the half, but senior defensive back, Joe Mahoney, blocked the extra point to give the Sharks a one-point lead going into the half. Because it was a preseason game, the Sharks took out their starters in the second half. The Sharks put up a second half field goal, but were not able to contain the Mustangs as they stole back the lead with a touchdown, followed by a missed extra point, giving the Mustangs their first lead of the game with a score of 19-17. The Sharks ultimately could not match the Mustang touchdown, and were met with their first defeat of the season. Fortunately, the game does not count towards their record, and the Sharks had never lost the lead with their starters in. A highlight of the game that may have gone under the radar is the special teams game. The Sharks lost their kicker, Mark Romano, meaning that rising senior, Evan Redmond, would be the new kicker. Redmond went 2/2 on extra points and made his only attempted field goal as well. The Sharks will need a good kicker to take them far, and Redmond is tasked every game with the pressure of being the kicker. “Having everyone’s eyes on you at one of the most crucial moments of the game is exhilarating,” said Redmond about the new pressures that come with being the starting kicker.

     The Sharks will open the regular season at home against Bartram Trail on Aug. 25, who went 12-1 and made it to the regional finals last season. This will be a tough game for the Sharks, but a win could show that the Sharks are ready to go a long way this year.