Class 3A Regional Final: Booker (10-3) @ Jacksonville Raines (12-0)

[Fla2014]

This is a tall order for the tornadoes who haven't been battle tested, but on paper, they have the athletes to match up with anyone. I think this game is going to come down to coaching. Booker has been known to be undisciplined with below average execution. If they can play mistake free football, they may have a chance. If not, it'll be over by halftime. I'm rooting for Booker to pull of an upset

 

[MarkECannon]

I’m amazed at what Booker Head Coach Scottie Littles has achieved in just 2 years at the helm. That is reaching the state semifinals in both of his 2 seasons. Booker has seen a revolving door of coaches for almost 2 decades. Before this my friend, Fred Gilmore, in his 10 years at the helm had elevated the Tornadoes to a Sarasota powerhouse leading them to the 2005 State Title game in what was then 3A. If I remember correctly, it was the 3A state semifinal in 2003 that Booker lost to eventual State Champion Monsignor Pace. Fred was let go after 10 years when the momentum of success tailed off. His health was becoming an issue but in typical fashion he did not give any excuse.

 

[Fla2014]

Coach Gilmore was a great coach and a community leader. Coach Littles has proven himself. He has done a phenomenal job with the team.

 

[gatorman001]

I’m amazed at what Booker Head Coach Scottie Littles has achieved in just 2 years at the helm. That is reaching the state semifinals in both of his 2 seasons. Booker has seen a revolving door of coaches for almost 2 decades. Before this my friend, Fred Gilmore, in his 10 years at the helm had elevated the Tornadoes to a Sarasota powerhouse leading them to the 2005 State Title game in what was then 3A. If I remember correctly, it was the 3A state semifinal in 2003 that Booker lost to eventual State Champion Monsignor Pace. Fred was let go after 10 years when the momentum of success tailed off. His health was becoming an issue but in typical fashion he did not give any excuse.

Didn't know too much about Booker, during that era, as I was in Athens, GA and was doing my best just to keep up with Manatee. I do know that some point, a coach affiliated with Booker during that era, ended up coming to Athens, GA and taking over the Clarke Central program....as I recall he wasn't very successful during his time there. During the 80's Clarke Central won a couple of state titles and finished runner up 1 or 2 times as well. Their coach Billy Henderson was cut out of the Brear Bryant mold, he retired from coaching not long after I moved up there in 1993.
Update: After thinking about it, I want to say the Booker coach that came to Clarke Central name was possibly "Ryals"??????

 

[MarkECannon]

You are referring to Leroy Ryals. He was the Booker Head Coach before Fred took over. Fred was Ryals defensive coordinator. His defense was the consistent strength of the team. Fred would have the defense do further conditioning exercises immediately after practice. Coach Ryals coached at LSU for Nick Saban after leaving Booker. He may have coached at Clarke Central directly after his stint at LSU. I remember Coach Ryals taking a head coaching position in Georgia and it did not last long. I must have forgot it was Clarke Central.

 

[TheCatCoachesMissesMe]

Watched the game on YouTube, loved it. Both teams were evenly matched and close games are the best to watch.

 

[MarkECannon]

Does anyone have any inside knowledge of what happened to the Booker coaches getting ejected in last week’s game against Raines?

 

[gatorman001]

Does anyone have any inside knowledge of what happened to the Booker coaches getting ejected in last week’s game against Raines?

So as I told you Sunday, there were a number incidents that occurred pre-game. Apparently all of the coaches for both teams were assessed personal foul penalties because of those incidents. During the 3rd Qt of the game little went onto the field to argue a call and a official threw another flag for a personal foul and at that point the head official told Little because it was his second personal foul he and the assistant that also went onto the field were both ejected.

Little seem to take it all in stride afterwards, said while discouraged his team wasn't able to hold its 23-15 lead. He felt the teams over-all performance was a vast improvement from the year before. He also indicated he felt next years team might just be the best team yet, he's fielded at Booker and expects Booker to be in the title game!

If I linked this properly, here's a 7 minute interview with Little following the game.

WATCH: Full interview with Booker High School football coach Scottie Littles

ABC7 Sports Anchor Xavier McKnight interviewed Booker High School football coach Scottie Littles after he was ejected from the second half of his team’s game against Raines High School in Jacksonville over the weekend.

www.mysuncoast.com

 

[Fla2014]

I love what coach littles is doing. He has done a great job recruiting the area and filling his coaching staff. They definitely could have won that game. I think they will make another run next year. They have a weak region and a stacked team (and will probably get some helpful transfers). The coaching has to improve in order to get over that hump.