Lely Coach has High Expectations Heading into Third Season

Despite dodging afternoon thunderstorms and most recently Tropical Storm Fred, Lely’s third year head coach JJ Everage is optimistic heading into their upcoming preview game against Bishop Verot on Friday, August 27.

“They’re doing everything we’re asking them to do,” Everage said. "Working hard. Trying to get the cobwebs out. This past week was a good practice week.”

Part of Everage’s reason for optimism is his new offensive coordinator, Tom Scarbrough, who moved in from Missouri where he was part of a state championship coaching staff at Helias Catholic in Jefferson City. 

"They’re coming off a state championship from last year,” Everage said. "When I interviewed him, he and I had the same philosophy and personality. The offenses were very similar. I needed someone to take one side of the ball off of my plate. I can’t do it all. I felt like at times last year I wasn’t as prepared offensively as I’d like to be. Bringing him in is a tremendous asset for us.”

In Everage’s first season at Lely in 2019, the Trojans were a 6-5 playoff team after going 2-8 the previous season. Everage’s second season was a 3-6 playoff season that featured a number of tight battles that didn’t go Lely’s way. Everage thinks that may change this season with a stable full of Division 1 prospects at his disposal.

Though the Trojans lost two Division 1 players in quarterback JJ Dervil and receiver Sergio Morancy, Everage likes the players who will be picking up the slack this season.

 “We lost Sergio and JJ,” Everage said, "both great athletes. But I think we’ve got some young men to fill those roles. We have Omar Vilsaint whose nickname is Pay for View. He’s living up to his nickname. He’s a wide receiver. I think he’s going to fill the void left by Sergio. He’s been waiting in the wings, learning, developing. I think he’s going to have a stellar year for us.

"We’ve got Guerschom Guerrier. He had his coming out party last year. We call our running attack thunder and lightning. Guerschom is thunder. He’s just a big, powerful running back. He is a Division I coach’s dream. He’s big and strong and has decent speed. He catches the ball out of the backfield. He had a great season for us last year. Got his first start against Gulf Coast last year and never looked back.

"Then you have Joshua Philogene who’s lightning. He’s like a video game. He can juke you out in a phone booth. He’s got great footwork. He’s tough to tackle."

Replacing Dervil at quarterback is junior Brian Bachmann. He saw plenty of junior varsity action last year while backing up Dervil on varsity. He started Lely’s playoff game against Miami Central. Central went on to win the 6A state championship.

"Bachmann is a quarterback who got his first start against, of all people, Miami Central, last year in the playoffs,” Everage recalls. "He’s just calm and cool. Doesn’t get rattled. In the Golden Gate game last year, JJ was cramping up really bad. Brian just came in and led us down the field for a score. Like it was just something he was meant to do.

“This will be my third year. Brian’s class has been with me since they were freshmen. They know what I expect from workouts and practices. They’re going to be key players as juniors. We’ve been slowly grooming them to be in this position. I hope it works out for us this year." 

Everage is excited to see his defense in action this season.

"Defensively this could be one of the best that I’ve seen in a while,” Everage enthused. "We’re fast. We're lead by two Division 1 prospects up front. Cobe Georges, who already has offers. He’s our overall team leader. Just an outstanding young man. Very smart. He has bought in since Day 1 when I got here. And it’s paid off. We’re expecting big things from him. Jaiden Musse is also a Division 1 prospect. A lot of coaches have him on their radar. Playing defensive line is just natural to him. He’s strong, he’s a wrestler. Those two are going to cause people fits. It makes your linebackers happy.

Jordan Annescar, he’s grown about 3-4 inches since last year. He’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s going to be our key linebacker. He’ll be in man coverage and coming off the edge. He’s our Mr. Utility. I think he’s definitely a great Division 1 prospect. As far as athleticism and strength—he’s got it.”

Everage doesn’t believe in two platoon football, where athletes play just one side of the ball.

"I’m a believer in putting the best 11 on the field at all times,” Everage said. "We practice offense one day, defense the next. Jhonley Aurel plays corner, he’s a hitter. Good in coverage. He understands the coverages—and he’ll hit ya. He’s just a tough kid. At the other corner you have Joshua Philogene. He’s really shown us he can be a lockdown corner. He’s got good man-to-man skills. You’ve got Omar Vilsaint at free safety. He can cover half of the field. 

"My first team here gave up on 13 points a game,” Everage said. "I’m hoping we can best that.”

Everage has a five year plan to have Lely among the top 6A teams in the state. He sees his team taking a big step in that direction this season. He doesn’t believe in padding his schedule. He is filling his schedule with statewide powers.

"Our schedule,” Everage said, "we’ve got some tough games. Each time you play a Collier County team, every team has Division 1 athletes. Our team is ready to take on top opponents. This is kind of a five-year plan. To be able to play opponents in the playoffs like Miami Central, you have to be prepared. So we’re going to play teams like Lake Wales. You have Braden River who had a deep playoff run last year—a traditional powerhouse. The ink isn’t dry on the contract yet, but we’re about to sign a contract to play Champagnat, the three-time state champ out of Miami.”

Champagnat, out of Hialeah, has won three of the last four 2A state championships. Everage feels you have to take on the top teams in the state if you want to be the best.

"If you want to be at the top of the food chain,” Everage reasons, "you’ve got to play those teams. You can’t be afraid to play the top teams. Some coaches want to pad their schedule and try to find some easy wins here and there. I want to play the best of the best and get our name out there. It’s better exposure for our kids. If you’re playing the best from different areas of Florida, it’s just going to draw attention to recruiters. 

"We’re not just wanting to be competitive against these teams. We want to consistently beat these teams. That’s the next step if we’re going to turn Lely into a statewide competitor. That’s the plan.”

Lely’s first test will be their season preview against Bishop Verot. The Vikings, out of Ft. Myers, gave the Trojans a 42-0 black eye last season. 

“They came in here last season and gave us a lickin’,” Everage said. "Probably the one game we were just not in from the get-go. That was kind of a funny week that week. They had some speed at every position. Every offensive player was a threat to score. Hopefully we can come back home with a win.

Palmetto Ridge is the Trojans’ opening season opponent. The Bears had a magical season last year.

“Palmetto had a dream season,” Everage said. "Unless you’re one of these powerhouses that re-loads year after year, football kind of goes in cycles for everybody else. It was just their turn last year. They had these players for four years. You knew they were going to be good. We always have a competitive game against Palmetto. This year might be our year."