Three observations from Vero Beach's spring football jamboree

The football teams from Vero Beach, John Carroll Catholic and Fort Pierce Westwood all got to try out what they have been working on this spring Saturday.

With spring football cancelled last year due to COVID-19, just having the chance to have a normal routine heading into the summer was welcomed by the teams. For Westwood head coach Lee Jackson in his first season as head coach, it was even more important.

Jackson replaced Jeff George Jr., but he's familiar with the teams. Jackson was on George's staff last season when they went 7-2 and earned the program's first ever playoff victory. Jackson is happy with the progress that has been made and what is to come entering the fall.

"We've got a whole second phase, the strength and conditioning part, so we'll go to work and see where this team goes," Jackson said. "We want to build off this film, it's a good evaluation period to see where we need to go and make sure we keep going forward."

For John Carroll and head coach Mickey Groody, the unenviable task of replacing star Jay Allen at quarterback among several other seniors that depart on the defensive side of the ball is a tall order.

Being tested by teams like Vero Beach and Fort Pierce Westwood is a good first step.

"I told my guys, we're going to keep throwing them into the fire and play better schools because it's only going to make them better in the end," Groody said. "We'll go back, watch the film and get better. That's what the spring is for."

Losses to graduation for Vero Beach have created many openings for new names to come in and seize. 

Rising senior Maurice Smith Jr., who is a known commodity from his work at Westwood at quarterback, looks to replace the outgoing Jackson Nairn, throwing six touchdowns in their two games.

Head coach Lenny Jankowski already sees his group as having the chemistry to continue their success.

"For us as coaches, I think the spring is the purest form of coaching, we don't spend any time preparing for an opponent or anything," Jankowski said. "You're just working on fundamentals and technique and try to evaluate the competition you have within."

Quarterback questions and potential answers

For all three teams Saturday, the quarterback position is one that is a revolving door.

Smith is positioned the best for success with perennial power Vero Beach, which always is loaded with skill position players.

For Westwood, rising senior Rod Huntley took snaps and looks to replace the transferred Smith. Huntley's athleticism can make things happen. He'll compete with fellow rising senior De'Andre Dixon, who showed a big arm and who also can use his legs effectively.

At John Carroll, Allen's departure leaves gaping holes to fill. The duo of rising junior Dawson Maehl and rising senior Ashton Lalicon will get the first cracks at establishing themselves as the next in line.

Names that can breakout

A handful of players whose names you might not know from the three teams flashed on the field and look ready to contribute in 2021.

Vero Beach rising senior receiver James Smith has had to wait his turn behind some talented players but showed he can do damage as he caught two touchdowns, and at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, has good size and speed to match.

Fort Pierce Westwood rising junior Willie Adams could be the lynchpin of the Panthers' defensive line as he blew up several plays in each game with a quick burst off the line. He also has the ability to chase down ballcarriers.

John Carroll Catholic rising sophomore Tony Colebrook had some big moments last year as a freshman, but he is going to need to shoulder much more of the load this year. He looks to have gotten stronger and runs with patience to hit holes when gaps open up.

Excitement, optimism returns

It was clear Saturday that for all three teams plus Eau Gallie having the opportunity to play two teams was rewarding for the players to show what they have learned heading into a summer where top prospects will get to showcase their talents.

The building of a team is something every school will be able to do on their own terms throughout the summer with 7-on-7 teams, camps for position players and entire teams and for the big name players, they can check out colleges for the first time in over a year.

The remainder of the Treasure Coast will have spring games this week as we'll continue to get a first look at who could be names to follow as the fall approaches.