Jensen Beach (FL)

Head Coach: Tom McMath (entering 16th season)

Staff: Chris Smith, Denzel Rego, Kyle Kirkham

Jensen Beach is one of the top programs in Florida 1A … they just happen to reside in the same region as the other top teams. Jensen Beach finished 4th at the 2021 Traditional State Tournament - behind fellow Region 4 foes Somerset and American Heritage Delray and ahead of Cardinal Gibbons and Mater Lakes. The 21-22 Jensen Beach crew will be back in the mix for the top spot and has all of the pieces in place to make a run at both a dual and traditional state title. The crew is led by returning State Champ Johnny Dobbs, State Runner-up Jewell Williams, and State Placers Ryan Duguay and Ryan Mooney.

This is a team that could have 4 (or maybe 5 with freshman hammer Sebastian Degannaro) on top of the podium in March. But in tough Region 4 - 5 will only get you so far up the podium. So Jensen Beach needs some others to step up and make some noise. Gian Ortiz won a match in Kissimmee as a freshman a year ago and will be in the hunt for a spot on the podium. JB also return State Qualifiers Matt O’Hara as well Ashton Roeder who transferred in from Oasis. Don’t be surprised if Duke Byfield, Luke Sopotnick or some of the others in the lineup being the difference in the end.

“We are very excited about this years team for the upcoming season. Lots of experience coming back, a very competitive room, and a bunch of kids working hard. ”

— Coach McMath

Veterans (GA)

Head Coach: Garrett Martin (entering 6th season)

Staff: Sean McSweeney, Austin Harrell

The Warhawks enter the 2021-22 season as one of the more dangerous teams in 5A. 5A is headlined by Woodland, Cass, Woodward Academy, Harris County, and others, but Veterans is a program that returns all of their State Placers and State Qualifiers from a 2021 team that finished in the top 20. This team will make a run for a top 10 finish in 2022 - and if they can add fuel to the fire they may make a run at an even higher place in Macon.

Latrell Schafer and Tanner Vorse both return after taking 3rd a year ago and both should be in the hunt for the top step on the podium. Veterans also return Zachary Coumbs, Dylan Fitzwater, Damien Johnson, and Logan Sherwood - each won matches in Macon and will look to take that next step onto the podium in 2022. One of the biggest returns for Veterans is Tyler Barb who will be back in time to make a run at the podium after the winter break. Keep an eye on Ovani Navedo - also a 2021 State Qualifier as well as Gabe Gibbs, Gabe Kloberdanz, and Bradley Wilson.

“Veterans looks to come in this season strong, we have a lot of depth in our 5 returning Seniors and return all of last years state qualifiers and placers in the line up. In addition, the new blood that has joined the team will make us very competitive in both duals and traditional, filling in gaps and giving us options at others. Goals are set, we just need to execute. ”

— Coach Martin

Mainland Bucs (FL)

Head Coach: Matt Lawrence (entering 5th season)

Staff: Hope Jallah, Helena Carey, Karl Piedad

Mainland enters the 21-22 losing just one, Jordan Colubiale, to the graduation. The Bucs return 7 with 2021 post-season experience including Kaden Golder and Nico Rivera who both won matches a year ago at regions. They look to be the Bucs best shot to find the podium in 2A Region 1 in 2022 and punch their ticket to Kissimmee.

Abby Couillard, Brian Harris, Heath Hilado, and Kaleb Alexander each competed in the post-season a year ago and figure to be in the mix. Keep an eye on Matthew Deakin, Hayden Heilman, Brady Howe, and others as they look to make some noise in 2022.

“This season we are looking to continue to build in our 4th year as a program, getting more competitive each season. ”

— Coach Lawrence