A season for the ages
The Fort Dale JV Eagles ended the 2024 season by going a perfect 8 -0 for the year, becoming the first Eagle JV team to go undefeated since 2010.
Marshall Watts coaches the Fort Dale JV team, along with assistants Jessie Arnold, Brady Newton, and Joe DeLeRee.
Ten talented freshmen players lead the team, and they have been instrumental in its success. In fact, this group also went undefeated in Peewee their sixth grade year.
Watts had high praise for his upperclassmen saying, “The freshman bought in early in the summer. We had some tough days throughout the year, but they continued to lead and do things the right way. As a group they learned how and taught the younger players to do all the small things right that contributes to success on game nights.”
It is easy to tell that the players feel the same about their coach too. “Coach Watts is a great coach, he pushes us to be our best,” said linebacker Dalton Newton. “He has a great relationship with our team, and he teaches us a lot like how to be mentally and physically tough”.
The impact the freshman class has had on the team is readily apparent, and one can tell they genuinely care for one another. “Our freshman group is very special, and it helps when we’ve been together our whole lives and our whole career playing the game” said defensive lineman Cooper DeLeRee. “There’s not much you can do to separate us from each other, and we are all brothers.”
He continued “We try to teach the younger players every day in practice what it takes to become champions in the game”.
The JV Eagles had one of the most dominating seasons in Fort Dale history. Led by a stifling defense, Fort Dale posted six shutouts in eight games and beat their opponents by an average score of 34-2.
The defense allowed only 15.5 yards a game rushing, an average unheard of in today’s game of offensive football. They actually held two of their opponents to negative rushing yards.
“From day one of lining up a defense, we knew it would be our strength and I think the final numbers show that” said Watts. “When you have a bunch of guys that will do their job and aren’t afraid to hit you, usually the defense will be pretty sound”.
Fort Dale had 2,093 yards of total offense in eight games while holding opponents to just 491 total yards.
They had 12 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries for the year and the team had a positive turnover margin of +20.
The freshmen move on to varsity next year and they have their sights set high.
“Our group has the potential and skills to win a state championship, and that’s our goal,” said quarterback Costner Simmons. “Now that the JV season has wrapped up, the focus is on varsity and what we can bring to the team over the next few years.”
Judging from this year, the future of Fort Dale football looks very bright.
