Friday, July 31, 2009

PrepNation 101 Preseason Countdown: No. 44 Mainland

PrepNation.com continues the most comprehensive package of preseason high school football rankings ever published. We are counting down the PrepNation 101 Preseason High School Football Rankings, from No. 101 to No. 26, leading up to the release of the official preseason National Prep Poll on August 3.


44. Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Last season: 11-1, lost in second round of Class 5A playoffs
Coach: John Maronto
Key players: OL Mike Kilgore (6-2, 285, Sr.), DT Kenneth Kirksey (6-1, 280, Sr.), RB Marlin Lane (6-1, 195, Jr.), WR O.J. Ross (5-11, 180, Sr.), LB Marcus Arline (6-0, 215, Sr.), DB Ricardo Allen (5-10, 180, Sr.), WR Chevin Davis (6-1, 180, Sr.), LB Anthony Hamm (6-1, 210, Sr.)
Outlook: The Buccaneers will be a strong contender for their first state championship since 2003. Nine starters return from a defense that allowed more than 14 points only once last season. The leader is two-year captain Arline, a middle linebacker. He led the team in tackles last season and Maronto says he is very physical has a great motor. One of the top college prospects on the team is Kirksey, a very physical defensive lineman who can play either tackle or end. The leader in the secondary is Allen, a captain and three-year starter. There is plenty of speed at the offensive skill positions. Ross is a highly rated college prospect with 4.3 speed in the 40. Lane, who already is committed to Clemson, is one of nation’s top-rated Class of 2011 prospects.

1 comment:

Mike said...

Coach Maronto has built Mainland from nothing into a Florida power over the last 15 years. But what sometimes goes unnoticed is the difference he truly makes in kid's lives off the field.

He help to change both of my kids for the better and set them up for success off the field. There were both able to get scholarships and an education which I don't think would have happened in almost any other program.

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