1A-3 Preview: Baker County looks to ruffle feathers in new district
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Last season: Yulee won the district title by 22 points over Bishop Kenny, who finished five points ahead of Episcopal.
How did Kabra do?: Another one where we correctly identified the favorite, but then missed on the prediction as we had Fernandina Beach taking the title. The district race was hyper-close with just 30 points separating the top four - and for a little credit to ourselves, the Pirates were the highest region placer out of this district and had its first individual state title won.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Cael Kubatzke (Fernandina Beach), Michael McNair (Yulee), Jareb Lauramore (Baker County), Tommy Rollins (Baker County), Phoenix Barbour-Yerka (Yulee), Brayden Martin (Baker County)
The favorite: Baker County. They announced they were here with a thrilling state duals appearance and now in a new district, they will look to their experience to lead them.
Team to watch: Yulee. The five-time defending champions could be the favorite, but we aren’t entirely sure all that is coming back.
District duals: Tuesday, January 7 at Fernandina Beach
District IBT: Wednesday, February 19 at Yulee
Baker County Wildcats (#12/#14)
Coach: Corey Cantrell (4th season)
Assistant coach: Richard Crews
23-24 dual record: 20-5
Recent district results: 2024:1-1A4; 2023:1-1A4; 2022:3-1A4; 2021:3-1A2; 2020:5-1A2; 2019:8; 2018:4; 2017:5; 2016:4; 2015:3; 2014:6; 2013:5-1A2; 2012:5-1A2
Last state champion: Shawn Kinghorn, 1993 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Benny Lewis, 38-2, 3rd, RC, DC; Brock Duncan, 13-20, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jareb Lauramore, Sr., 38-7, 5th, R3, DC; Tommy Rollins, Sr., 30-13, RQ, DC; Jonathon Walker, Sr., 24-8, RQ-BR, DC; Taz Kinghorn, Jr., 34-6, RQ-BR, DC; Kristian Chancey, Jr., 22-16, RQ, D3; Brayden Martin, Jr., 30-11, RQ-BR, D2.
What they are saying: “This is the group that I came in with. They have 3 years under their belt and are ready to compete this year.”
Outlook: The Wildcats continued to signal their arrival to the state, winning a second district IBT title but also reaching the 1A-1 region final in the state duals series and making the trip to Kissimmee. A state placer is gone but this team will still be defined by upper class leadership and should continue to have success.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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Girls: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings
Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules
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Yulee Hornets
Coach: Brandon Crowder/Ralph Mortier
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:1; 2014:2; 2013:3; 2012:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Braylen Ricks, 50-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Christopher Aud, 42-10, SQ, R3, D2; Logan Pugh, 45-15, SQ, R4, DC; Josh Harris, 32-20, D5; Rex Graff, Sr., RQ, D4 (Transfer to Tocoi Creek)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Michael McNair, Sr., 47-15, SQ, R4, DC; Phoenix Barbour-Yerka, Sr., 40-19, SQ, R4, D2; Lincoln Brehmer, Jr., 38-12, RQ, D3; Sebastian Windsor, So., 14-18, RQ, D4; Andrew Watkins, Jr., 14-12, RQ-BR, D4;
New wrestler: Landon Higginbotham (Transfer from Charlton County, GA)
Fernandina Beach Pirates (#24/NR)
Coach: Eric Kubatzke (7th season)
Assistant coach: Jeremy Ferry
23-24 dual record: 23-9
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:6; 2019:4; 2018:8; 2017:8; 2016:8; 2015:5; 2014:3; 2013:5; 2012:8
Last state champion: Enzo Gamba, 2024 (157)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Enzo Gamba, 54-0, SC, RC, DC; Nolan McKelvy, 64-8, 5th, RC, DC; Cole Misciagna, 63-13, 4th, RC, DC; Gauge Housely, 33-22, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Cael Kubatzke, Sr., 62-6, 2nd, RC, DC; Anthony Fancher, Sr.; Felix McDuffy, Sr., 32-31, RQ, D3; Peyton White, Sr., 31-24, RQ, D3; Crew Richter, Jr., 33-23, D6; Kevin Stanley, So.; Luke Grey, Sr.; Ethan Shiver, So.; Hayden Neblett, So.; Koben Chestnut, Jr.; Austin Pickett, Jr.; Hassan Abdalla, Sr.
What they are saying: “We are a younger, inexperienced team with a lot of guys having just one-year experience. Our more experienced upper classmen are in the upper weights with our state place winner in the middle weight. Looking at those upper classmen to lead the younger guys to get them more competitive this year and ready.”
On last year’s legacy: “We are coming off a great season and the new guys have seen what the team is capable of doing. Other kids in school also wanting to be a part of the program due to last year's success. We've had a few more upper classmen sign up for the wrestling team this year so we might have a few surprises I wasn't planning on coming out for the team.”
Outlook:
Stanton Prep Blue Devils
Coach: John Dunn
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:6; 2022:7-2A3; 2021:8-2A3; 2020:7-2A3; 2019:6-2A3; 2018:7-2A3; 2017:6-2A3; 2016:7-2A3; 2015:9-2A3; 2014:8-2A3; 2013:2-2A2; 2012:3-2A2
Last state champion: Robert Drummond, 1998 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Elias Spurlin, 29-11, RQ-BR, D2; Dean Holt, 30-12, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Diego Torres, Jr., 19-14, RQ, D2; James Leiby, Jr., 16-17, RQ, D3; Saud Alburaih, Jr., 10-13, RQ, D3; Leonardo Torres, Jr., 24-12, RQ, D4.
Baldwin Indians
Coach: Michael Echevarria
Recent district results: 2024:6-1A4; 2023:10-1A4; 2021:8-1A4; 2020:7-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): ; Shiloh Lunford, 8th, RQ, D4
Notable returning wrestlers: Taylor Davenport, Jr., 25-9, RQ-BR, DC; Ian Rhoden, Sr., RQ, D5; Travis Krause, Sr., RQ, D4; Easton Geus, Sr., RQ, D2.
Paxon Golden Eagles
Coach: Michael Dramis
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:9; 2022:6; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2018:7-2A4; 2017:7-2A4; 2016:7-2A4; 2015:9; 2014:9; 2013:7-2A2; 2012:6-2A2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brendan Lawson, 17-4, RQ, D2; Justin Williams, 20-8, RQ, D4; Louis Eckles, 10-4, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tripp Guess, So., 6-8, RQ, D4.
West Nassau Warriors
Coach: Waylon Cox
Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:6; 2020:4; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:3; 2015:4; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jackson Mosley, So., 24-11, RQ, D2; Michael Hill, Sr., 14-18, RQ, D4.
Andrew Jackson Tigers
Coach: Emarlos Leroy
Recent district results: 2024: 10; 2015:8; 2014:8; 2013:7, 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Brieon Glover, Sr., 25-15, RQ, D3.
Terry Parker Braves
Coach: Jermain Bridges
Recent district results: 2024:10-2A3; 2023:5-2A3; 2022:3-2A3; 2021:7-2A3; 2020:8-2A3; 2019:4-2A3; 2018:6-2A3; 2017:5-2A3; 2016:6-2A3; 2015:8-2A3; 2014:6-2A3; 2013:6-2A2; 2012:5-2A2
Last state champion: Shomari Rozier, 1990 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jeff Brown, 30-4, SQ, RC, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Shamar Jones, Sr., 19-13, RQ, D4.
Raines Vikings
Coach: Aaron Mason
Recent district results: 2024:11; 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:3; 2019:7; 2018:7; 2017:7; 2016:5; 2015:7; 2014:7; 2013:8; 2012:5
Last state champion: Danny Jackson, 2010 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None