This season, there are sixteen new football head coaches in the Orlando region, and the majority of those guys have several challenges.
Many athletes choose to transfer, leaving gaps that new coaches are trying to fill at schools including Apopka, Timber Creek, East River, and Lyman. However, Patrick Browning, the new employee at Class 5A powerhouse Edgewater, is not forced to deal with those situations.
At Edgewater, a program that went 84-16 with seven district crowns and two state runner-up finishes in eight seasons under coach Cameron Duke has a sense of renewed vitality.There was no widespread commotion when former coach Duke left for a position in Georgia.
The Edgewater team has unified behind Browning while they wait for a new coach to be selected.
After winning a state championship in Alabama, he enters the collegiate levels after a few seasons and takes over a program that Duke left in excellent condition.
According to Browning, Edgewater is the second-oldest school in Orlando and has a rich history and a strong sense of community support. That was a major factor in my first attraction to Edgewater. Because everyone wants to continue to succeed, it’s really simple to make a move happen if you have that type of support, no matter where you are.
The Eagles, who were 10-2 the previous season and lost to Tampa Bay Tech in the second round of the playoffs, have a ton of talent back. Senior quarterback Carter Emanuel is in charge of the offense and oversees a new scheme that Browning implemented.
Senior H-back Luke Pastis, senior receiver Saphir Miller, and senior tackle Ben Bankowitz are among the many offensive players who are returning to assist Emanuel.
Damian Moore, a senior linebacker, will be converted to running back, which will be crucial on offense. He’ll play both sides.
Carter’s brother Cole Emanuel, a quick junior wide receiver, Hanoj Williams, a transfer receiver from Timber Creek, and running back JJ Hill, who also transferred from Lake Nona, will also contribute to the offensive surge.
According to Browning, Carter is a wonderful child who comes from a wonderful household with wonderful parents. He is aware of the significance of the role and the proper approach to lead. He is aware that everyone is watching him. If you take away his physical prowess, he’s simply the epitome of what you want the face of your program to be in terms of character.
Edgewater has a strong defense. JJ Edwards, a Miami commit, is the linebacker disruptor. With his enthusiasm and knack for football, he wreaks havoc across the field. A talented group of seniors includes defensive end Aiden Anderson, linebacker Zavier Denmark, safety Nick Collins Jr., fellow linebacker Damian Moore Jr., and rookie linebacker Michael McClenton, who transferred from Ocoee.
To begin with, they are excellent children who do not take advantage of their innate talent. “They recognize the value of hard work,” Browning stated. I think it’s a lot of pleasure to see talented athletes who don’t take anything for granted. God-endowed sportsmen with exceptional DNA buying in and expressing dissatisfaction with their current situation.
“Until we play a few games, we really won’t know what we got,” Browning stated. Can we master what we’re truly good at after we’ve done that? That was not my best team the year we won the state championship in Alabama. There is a resemblance between the team that worked the hardest and had the strongest bond.
Browning is undoubtedly enjoying his new role until he can evaluate and consider the wider picture.
According to Browning, these youngsters have embraced Edgewater and adore it. This place is like a brotherhood. Even before they knew who would be the head coach, they kept doing weights. The juniors and seniors hold one another accountable and genuinely care about one another. Coaching children in such way is enjoyable. Man, it’s a blast.
Eagles of Edgewater
Coach: Patrick Browning (43-16 career; 0-0 first year).
2024: Region semifinals, 10-2.
Greyhounds from Lyman
Steven Jerry is the coach (first year, 0-0).
2024: 5A playoffs missed, 4-6.
Bears of Winter Springs
Tim Dycus is the coach (4th year, 5-24).
5-4 in 2024, missing the 5A playoffs.
