There’s a different approach to spring football for Escambia coach Mike Bennett.
It’s nothing he hasn’t done before. This is how he approaches the spring season as the Gators prepare for a spring game. He’s all about teaching. No matter what’s going on, as soon as the alarm goes off at 5:30 p.m., Escambia leaves the practice field.
“It’s two hours of class and we’re going home. If we’re throwing a pass, I don’t care if we catch it or not, it’s go time,” Bennett said. “I’m not a big spring guy when it comes to ‘let’s see who’s the toughest guy in America.’ …Fall is a little different. We just want kids to learn (in the spring).
Escambia is coming off an 8-4 (2-2 District 1-3S) 2023 season that ended up falling to St. Augustine in the Region 1-3S semifinals. The Yellowjackets were Class 3S runner-up, losing to Mainland in a close two-point game in Tallahassee.
Defensively, the Gators were loaded. They had key seniors like LeJon Williams, Tadarius Wright and Ryan McVay, who transferred from Pine Forest for their senior year. And that wasn’t even the biggest part of their defense.
It was a heavy defense. Escambia graduated 10 players on the defensive side of the ball who played at least eight games last season. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some standout returners.
Ladarian Clardy, who was recently listed in USA Today’s Top 100 Recruits for the Class of 2025 in Florida, is back at safety for the Gators. He recorded 57 tackles, good enough to rank third on the team last year, with four interceptions returned for 138 yards.
Also returning are Andrion Battle (45 tackles, 4 sacks), Taiylor Bradsher (45 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Ja’Kye Hopkins (33 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions).
“Defensively, I think we can be as good as we were last year,” Bennett said. “I think we could be even better in the secondary. … Our defensive staff is very good at what we do. I’m really excited about these guys.”
Escambia has recorded three shutouts in 2023. And there has only been one loss in which the Gators did not have possession of the ball. Can Escâmbia expect the same type of defense?
“Our defensive line … they have a lot of speed,” said Georqious Moultrie, who played for the Gators his sophomore year before taking a year off from football last season. “I’ve seen the big boys move so fast. Quarterbacks better watch out. …
“All I can say is good luck.”
Escambia expects a protected attack behind an experienced offensive line
There is one spot on offense, for sure, where the Gators are at senior strength entering the 2024 season: the offensive line. Bennett estimates six or seven offensive linemen will be back in the fall, including last year’s starting five.
“The center is back, both tackles are back. And both guards played tackle or guard last season,” Bennett said.
Also returning for the Gators is Dorrion White, who rushed for 1,233 yards last season and 17 touchdowns. He also had eight receptions for 120 yards and a score.
“There could be better looks and more options in the run game,” White said, noting the more experienced offensive line. “I always have to be better. There is always room for improvement.”
After graduating quarterback Anthony Hall, who threw for 2,887 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, Escambia has a few quarterbacks fighting for the starting job in the fall. Bennett noted that Mason Moore, Clayton Sanders and Kyron Perry are all fighting for the starting job.
Moore played quarterback for Escambia last year while also taking on punting duties. Sanders got a chance at quarterback last year at the varsity level, but has yet to play football due to being an all-star on the Gators’ baseball team, which won the District 1-5A championship and earned an automatic bid to the tournament region. Perry was the starting quarterback for Escambia’s ninth-grade team last season. There is also a player who transferred from Tennessee, Bennett said.
“It is not a set decision. We are fighting and fighting,” Moore said. “Going back to quarterback, I’m familiar with that. I know what I have to do, just making sure I’m doing things right.”
“We have guys (on the offensive line) that I believe can protect our quarterbacks and execute blocking well,” Bennett said.
No matter who takes on the quarterback role, they will have just as many weapons as the wide receivers. Bennett noted in 2023 that he planned to use some players in a more two-way role, and that includes Clardy. He played a few games as a wide receiver, recording eight receptions for 163 yards and four touchdowns. Diego Dukes also returns after recording 40 receptions for 538 yards.
Escambia graduated three of his top four receivers: Joshua Jackson (38 receptions, 700 yards, 5 touchdowns), Cam Mayo (40 receptions, 681 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Santwon Burnside (40 receptions, 461 yards, 3 touchdowns).
“We just need to make sure the wide receivers get exactly the same attention that our older receivers got,” Moore said. “dEnsure they are following the same fundamentals.”
“You’ll see (Clardy) on offense. You will see Taiylor Bradsher on offense. We have some good, young receivers,” Bennett said. “You never know who is going to enter or leave the district. If they move and want to play football, we will welcome them like anyone else. But you better be a dog if you want to come play football here. … If that’s your mindset, we’re probably the right school you want to transfer to if you’re coming from out of state.
Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared in the Pensacola News Journal: Escambia Football begins spring training with strong defense return
